Core Tip: The Spring Festival is approaching, and every household is busy with shopping—giving gifts to relatives, friends, elders, and leaders. Gift-giving requires careful consideration. It's simpler for family members, but for special individuals, you need to think carefully. Choosing the right item is not just about quality; it requires wisdom.
Learn to read labels in five steps.
Step One: Check the Date
Expiration and production dates must be checked. If you see expired products in a supermarket, don't take them home as gifts. Be sure to claim compensation. According to Article 96 of the Food Safety Law on June 1, 2009, consumers can claim ten times the price from the seller or manufacturer for expired or spoiled products. Moreover, the compensation is for a guaranteed quality product. Therefore, keep your shopping receipts. Some products may look fine but have an off-flavor when consumed, which also qualifies for a claim. If you don't have the receipt, contact the manufacturer directly.
Step Two: Check the Ingredient List
Some ingredient lists are full of chemical terms that consumers may not understand. Don't be afraid. Food additives are not inherently bad; it's that some unscrupulous vendors add additives that shouldn't be in food. People often unfairly blame food additives. Of course, excessive consumption of food additives can be harmful. Therefore, when choosing food, opt for fewer additives and more natural ingredients.
Step Three: Check the Nutritional Information
Nutritional information refers to the nutrients beneficial to our bodies. Most food additives have no nutritional value. The so-called nutrients include: protein, fat, carbohydrates, minerals, vitamins, dietary fiber, and water. Of course, a wider variety with a balanced proportion is better. Purchase according to your needs.
Step Four: Check the Safety Labels
The market is filled with various products, each with its own safety labels such as "Green," "Pollution-Free," and "Organic." The nutritional value of these foods is not necessarily higher than regular ones, but they are impressive gifts. If possible, choose organic food, as it is relatively safer. The land for growing organic food has not been treated with pesticides or fertilizers for over three years.
Step Five: Check Special Labels
Some health products require checking special labels, such as their function and content, with the most important being the target audience. Check the origin and brand. For example, if you are giving a gift to a family member with diabetes, selecting a high-sugar product would be embarrassing. If you give a product labeled "No Sucrose" but its ingredient list contains maltose, and the patient consumes it, that would be a serious problem.
Therefore, everyone should learn to read labels. It's for your own health and the health of others. Not just for the holidays, but for daily shopping, you should also cultivate the habit of checking labels.