Food labeling Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1500 words

Food labeling - Essay Example Even while conceding to the fact that most consumers probably do not read food labels and labels add to the cost of foods, there is a strong rationale for labelling. Food labelling provides consumers with a breakdown of the primary ingredients and composites contained in a food product and, of course, its calorific value. More recently, and as a result of growing health awareness, carbohydrate value was added to food labels (Charles, 2001). There are several reasons for the mandatory labelling of food products, the majority of which derive from the notion of the right to know and from health issues. As regards the first, consumers have a right to know the composition of the food products they are purchasing so that they can make an informed purchase decision. As regards the second, food labelling information is imperative for the millions who suffer allergies, have health issues or are required to adhere to a certain diet. In other words, the value and importance of labelling can har dly be overstated, especially when considering that allergies can be fatal. Therefore, there is a strong reason and specific purpose for mandatory food labelling but the question is whether or not the purpose of food labelling is satisfied. Although most all countries have f... According to Weirich (2007) some countries do not have national laws mandating food labelling while others have made the comprehensive listing of all ingredients and composites, a non-negotiable imperative. In the Middle East, and in compliance with both national laws and international standards, the nutritional information of foods is clearly stated on labels printed onto, and not stuck on, food packages. The mandated information is calorific value, nutritional value, ingredients and additives (Weirich, 2007). Laws in the United States have made the listing of all ingredients, additives, nutritional values and calorific value imperative. Again, labels are printed onto and not stuck on the packages for the purposes of avoiding any possibility of tampering with the labels (Weirich, 2007). The European Union has, by far, the most stringent of the food labelling policies. According to Summers (2007), EU food labelling policies mandate the inclusion of all information related to nutritional and calorific value, ingredients and additives and, importantly, a clear indication of whether any GM ingredients had entered into the making of the product in question (Summers, 2007). While much of the information printed onto these labels tends to escape the understanding of consumers as it is highly scientific, it is still important. Its importance stems from the fact that consumers who suffer from specific allergies will be able to, when reading the label, determine whether the food is safe for their consumption or not. Its importance is also due to the fact that food labelling provides diabetics and obese consumers with the information they need for the limitation of their intake of

The Anthropology of Latin America and the Caribbean weekly Reflection Assignment

The Anthropology of Latin America and the Caribbean weekly Reflection - Assignment Example Mestizos in the Latin society gain their identity from their hard work and economic success while Mestizaje refers to those that are indigenous. Metrizos build racial discrimination to the African-origin people regardless of them gaining the originality from industrialization. Indigenous and black movements seek to minimize the politics of difference by sensitizing minimum native identification and equitable distribution of resources. (Sanabria Harry, 2007) On gender and sexuality, the Latin American women for a long time have been considered inferior in allocation of labor activities and distribution of resources for economic growth. High rates of illiteracy gaps between the male and female gender has been associated with the minimum number of females who are educated. Since colonialism, the Latin American gender parity has reduced and enabled more women get education and training. Gender in the Latin society is faced with a new identity that is considered a third sex in the society. This is neither man nor woman, transgender. The anatomic difference between proto-men and proto-women are not systematically cognized. (Sanabria Harry, 2007)To them sexual identity is less important in defining a person’s interpersonal bonds and self identity or recognition in the society. Heterosexuality and homosexuality is disregarded and the society does not teach any sexual disparity to the younger generation. Feminism has promoted empowerment of women in the general aspects to men. Women through their movements have been able to maintain their homesteads as single mothers who have been oppressed by masculine domination and left to fend for themselves. Behavioral experiences, drugs and gangs in the Latin American society degrade the fatherhood ability of the male gender leaving women to be the responsible homestead keepers. (Sanabria Harry, 2007)Gender violence is an issue that will require