WATCH THOSE LABELS

IN A PREVIOUS segment, the Consumer Affairs Commission (CAC) raised the issue of labelling and why it is important as it relates to ensuring consumer health and safety.

Consumers have a responsibility to be vigilant and examine items carefully to ensure that they bear the correct label, so that they may be assured that they get value for money and know what they are getting for their money. Manufacturers and providers of goods and services have a moral and legal responsibility to protect consumers in this way.
Highlighted below are aspects of labelling which have serious implications on consumers health, safety and general welfare:

Expiry Date
indicates the date after which foods are considered no longer fresh, or safe for consumption or ingestion in the case of medication. Some foods and medication may become toxic after a certain date, or lose their effectiveness in the case of medication. This feature on labels therefore serves to protect consumers’ interests, to ensure that they get products of high quality, which are safe.

Product Name
Often, consumers will opt to purchase food, pesticides and poisons in unmarked containers, from unauthorized individuals; usually because they are relatively cheaper. This is not a safe or prudent practice. Such items can easily be mistaken for food and mistakenly ingested and lead to serious harm, even death.

Ingredients
A list of the inputs in a product is very important, especially for those persons with allergies and those with specific nutritional needs. In addition, certain foods or drink may contain ingredients, which can interact with medication, to cause drug interaction, which is sometimes harmful to consumers. Drug interaction may impede the effectiveness of a drug, or cause a chemical reaction, which could lead to serious health problems and even death. Ingredients and indications and instructions are especially important for medication.

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