The Warning Labels That Could Be Coming For Your Crisps

It can be difficult to understand what the nutritional information on packaged food is trying to tell us, and complicated measurements and unfamiliar terms dont make it any easier.

But if the food labelling regulations currently being reviewed by the health department are enacted, big, bold warning signs on the front of food packaging will let shoppers immediately identify foods high in sugar, salt or unhealthy fats, or if they contain any amount of artificial sweeteners.

Nutritional experts hope the warnings will help people make healthier food choices at the grocery store and begin to make connections between unhealthy food, obesity and chronic disease.

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Its sort of hidden.

Thats how 30-year-old Elvina Moodley describes the nutritional labels on the back of packaged food products stacked on grocery store shelves. When youre there, youre already in a rush and dont have the time to look at the small print on the back to see how much sugar or salt is in an item.

Moodley, like many South Africans, says shes never really understood how nutritional tables the per serving amounts of calories, glycemic carbohydrates carbohydrates the body digests and uses for energy, protein, fat and sodium salt translate into what is a healthy, or unhealthy, food.

But big, bold triangle warning labels on the front of packages could mean making healthy choices will be a lot easier.