Understanding the Correct Choice: Decoding Seven Common Product Label Symbols
Packaging may lead to false expectations when it comes to products. Terms like "eco-friendly" and "locally produced" are frequently used to promote goods, but they can be misleading and result in customer dissatisfaction. These issues are often communicated to Lebensmittelklarheit.de, a portal run by consumer centers, or even to the competitors' legal departments at Wettbewerbszentrale.
Stephanie Wetzel, project coordinator for "Lebensmittelklarheit" at Verbraucherzentrale Bundesverband in Berlin, explains that providers often amend their labeling due to consumer complaints. However, some complaints also involve the legal departments of consumer centers, especially when they sue providers to improve their labeling.
There are also product labels that appear lawful yet can still deceive consumers. Be cautious with these seven claims on packaging:
1. Lower sugar, fewer sugars, no sugar
Products labeled "fewer sugars" or "lower sugar" must contain 30% less sugar than their comparable counterparts. The label "no sugar" means that the manufacturer has not added any extra sugar in the form of household, milk, or fruit sugar.Only products containing less than 0.5 grams of sugar per 100 grams or per 100 milliliters can be labeled as sugar-free, states Nadine Schreiner, legal counsel at Wettbewerbszentrale. Regardless, products labeled as sugar-free still contain sugar.
Many consumers believe that "no sugar" equates to low calories, but this isn't always the case. These products often contain other sweetening agents, such as Xylitol, lower in calories than sugar but not entirely calorie-free.
2. Low-fat, reduced fat
In the food industry, "low-fat" and "reduced fat" are used interchangeably. A product is considered "low-fat" if it contains less than three grams of fat per 100 grams of food, or less than 1.5 grams per 100 milliliters of liquid food. However, "reduced fat" does not inherently mean the product is healthier. To compensate for the loss of flavor, low-fat products often contain more additives.
3. Local production
The phrases "local production" and "local farms" can also lead to mistaken assumptions. Schreiner clarifies that the term "local" isn't legally defined, making it unclear what "local" refers to when it comes to the product's origin. While a Stuttgart consumer might assume that a "locally produced" item hails from the Stuttgart area or even Baden-Württemberg, it's uncertain whether it originates from nearby Ludwigsburg or further afield in Konstanz.
Baden-Württemberg-produced products cannot be marketed nationwide with the matching label, Schreiner emphasizes.
4. Naturally pure
A product labeled "naturally pure" must be 100% composed of substances derived from nature, according to Schreiner, with no other additives permissible.
5. No additives
Labels like "no colorants", "no artificial flavorings", or "no flavor enhancers" are common on food packaging. Wetzel explains that these labels give the impression that no coloring or flavor-intensifying components are used. However, manufacturers often substitute unpopular additives with alternative ones that do not require mandatory labeling. Beet juice, for example, is a coloring agent frequently used in place of artificial colorants.
- Made in Germany
A product labeled as "Made in Germany" means a significant part of its production occurred in Germany, according to Schreiner. However, there is no exact definition of how much of the product must be German-made. Therefore, "Made in Germany" doesn't necessarily indicate that the product was fully manufactured in Germany.
- Climate-neutral or eco-friendly
To label a product as "climate-neutral" or "eco-friendly", a manufacturer must provide specific reasons for why the product is climate-neutral or eco-friendly, says Schreiner. Otherwise, this claim is considered unlawful.
Stephanie Wetzel further highlights that misleading labeling often includes claims about sugar content, such as "lower sugar", "fewer sugars", or "no sugar". Despite these labels, some products still contain significant amounts of sugar, leading to consumer confusion and dissatisfaction.
Regarding sugar-free labels, consumers often assume that "no sugar" products are low in calories, but Nadine Schreiner clarifies that they may still contain sugar substitutes like Xylitol, which although lower in calories, are not entirely calorie-free.
