Nutritionist Azahara released a guide this week explaining how to interpret food nutritional labels to identify ultra-processed products [1].
Understanding these labels allows consumers to make informed decisions about their intake of calories, saturated fats, sugars, and salt. As processed foods become more prevalent, the ability to decipher complex packaging is essential for maintaining public health standards.
In the second installment of a three-part series, Azahara focuses on the nutritional table typically found on the back of food packaging [1]. She said that while these tables provide detailed data, they can be difficult for the average consumer to navigate without specific knowledge of what markers to prioritize.
To provide a broader perspective, the guide compares the Spanish labeling system with the warning seals used in Colombia and Chile [1]. These front-of-package seals are designed to provide immediate alerts regarding high levels of harmful ingredients, a contrast to the detailed tables found in Spain.
Azahara said the goal is for consumers to recognize when a product is ultra-processed. By focusing on the relationship between ingredients and the nutritional table, shoppers can better identify hidden sugars and fats that contribute to chronic health issues [1].
The series encourages a shift in how people shop, moving away from marketing claims on the front of the box toward the verified data on the back. This approach reduces reliance on corporate branding and emphasizes empirical nutritional value [1].
“The goal is for consumers to recognize when a product is ultra-processed.”
The comparison between Spanish nutritional tables and the warning seals of Chile and Colombia highlights a global shift toward 'simplified' labeling. While detailed tables provide comprehensive data, the trend toward front-of-package warnings suggests that immediate, high-visibility alerts are more effective at changing consumer behavior than detailed data sets.
