Before buying any “health foods”, consumers are often full of doubts or completely in oblivion. There are an overwhelming amount of healthy foods, with each product claiming their patents and research, advertising the comprehensive improvement of product efficacy – so which one do we choose? In the end, it is the product that you feel is suited to your needs. Before purchasing, it is in your best interest to stop, listen to your body, and do some research, as to avoid making your wallet miserable.
What is healthy food?
Previously, the FDA defined healthy foods by their healthy dietary patterns and the food groups that comprise them. Overlooking the type of fat in the diet rather than the total amount of fat consumed, and the amount of added sugars in the diet. Under this guidance, manufacturers can label products as "healthy" if their products aren't low in total fat but have a fat composition of mostly monounsaturated (MUFA) and polyunsaturated (PUFA) fatty acids, and include the amounts of MUFAs and PUFAs on the Nutrition Facts label. This new definition also focuses on foods providing at least a good source of nutrients like vitamin A, vitamin C, iron, calcium, protein, and dietary fiber.
At present, there are various kinds of health foods on the market. When choosing, survey these key points so that you can choose the health food that suits you the most.
Key 1: Health food does not equal healthy food
According to the United States Food and Drug Administration, all health claims must undergo review by the FDA through a petition process. To be approved by the FDA as an authorized health claim, there must be significant scientific agreement (SSA) among qualified experts that the claim is supported by the totality of publicly available scientific evidence for a substance/disease relationship.
Key 2: Product ingredient labeling
Food packaging should declare the contents of 8 major ingredients such as calories, protein, fat, saturated fat (or saturated fatty acid), trans fat (or trans fatty acid) carbohydrate, sugar, and sodium, as well as the content of other nutrients that are voluntarily labeled. In addition to the functional ingredients of health food, you should also pay attention to the content of other ingredients in the health food. Avoiding the daily intake of nutrients that exceed the standard will increase the extra burden on the body.
In addition, it is necessary to pay attention to the labeling of other ingredients in the product, such as antioxidants, preservatives, additives, etc. If there are too many additional substances listed in the formula table, you must pay attention to eating health food. of additives.
Key 3: Basis for product efficacy claims
The most important thing about health care products is the efficacy of the ingredients, and the corresponding research data or journal information must be found behind these effects. Provide information. Before purchasing, it is recommended to stop and think more, so as to choose products that meet the needs and have sensibilities.
Key 4: Product Inspection
From raw materials to consumers, each product actually needs to go through a series of strict inspection procedures, including raw materials derived from vegetables, fruits, and plants. Before production, it must pass-heavy metal inspection and 381 pesticide inspections without residues. Production and sampling inspections are carried out at any time during the production process to ensure quality and safety. Before each batch of products leaves the factory, it is necessary to pass the inspection of no western medicine, no plasticizer, no heavy metals, and no functional content of ingredients, so that consumers can feel at ease.
References:
https://law.moj.gov.tw/LawClass/LawAll.aspx?pcode=L0040003 National Regulations Database
https://www.mohw.gov.tw/mp-1.html Ministry of Health and Welfare
http://www.foodlabel.org.tw/FdaFrontEndApp/Home/Index Food Labeling Consulting Service Platform
https://www.fda.gov.tw/tc/PublishOtherEpaper.aspx Drug and Food Safety Weekly Report
https://www.superlab.com.tw/ Taimei Inspection Technology
https://www.sgs.com.tw/ SGS Taiwan Inspection Technology
https://www.todaysdietitian.com/newarchives/0217p36.shtml