Food portion sizes on packaging are ‘unrealistic and confusing’, says Which?
Portion information on food packaging is too “confusing, inconsistent or unrealistic” for people to get a clear understanding of how much sugar, fat and salt they are consuming, according to new research. Which? surveyed more than 1,200 people on portion sizes and found that a large number of people could not estimate correctly how many servings popular supermarket foods contained. The consumer champion found that respondents often assumed portions were larger than the suggested serving sizes listed on the packaging, and labelled the latter “small” and “unrealistic”. For example, more than half of respondents thought a 225g pack of halloumi would cover two to four servings, but the package information suggests it should feed seven. More than a third of respondents thought a tub of Pringles contained two to four portions, but the packaging suggests it contains six to seven servings of around 13 crisps per person. The majority (79 per cent) of those who took part in the survey thought a supermarket meal deal was designed to serve one person, given they are typically purchased for a single person’s meal. However, Which? pointed out that while the sandwich is usually for one person, the drink and snack that are usually included in the deal may be designed for two. The research also found inconsistencies in portion sizes across pack sizes for popular products. Walkers Ready Salted Crisps come in three different individual pack sizes ranging from 25g per pack in a multipack to 45g in a grab bag, but these all count as one portion. Meanwhile, a 150g sharing bag suggests that a single portion is 30g. Other products that have similar inconsistencies include Cadbury’s Dairy Milk, which have recommended serving sizes ranging from 20g to 33.5g. Which? also found inconsistencies in serving size suggestions depending on the brand, even if the amount of product in a package is similar. A 300g back of Dell Ugo tomato and mozzarella tortellini states that it serves two people, but a near-identical version by Marks & Spencer that also weighs 300g says it contains three servings. Respondents also found it difficult to estimate an appropriate portion size for drinks, it was revealed, after 229 people were asked to pour themselves a glass of wine, juice or smoothie and measure how much they served themselves. Just under half (49 per cent) of white wine drinkers poured themselves more than the recommended 125ml, with the largest pour recorded rising to more than double that (275ml). Among red wine drinkers, almost two thirds (69 per cent) poured a much larger portion, which the largest pour reaching 250ml. More than half (54 per cent) of those who drank orange juice served themselves more than the recommended 150ml, with the largest pour measuring in at 400ml. Orange juice packages show the amount of calories and sugar in a 150ml serving, which is around 62 calories and 13g of sugar. However, a 400ml glass has 166 calories and 35g of sugar, more free sugar than an adult should have in a day according to the NHS. Which? said: “Although traffic light labelling is a useful guide to the nutritional value, for it to be effective it must be based on realistic portion sizes. Manufacturers and supermarkets should look to make improvements and provide clearer labelling on serving sizes so shoppers are not misled about the food they buy.” Customers are also advised to check packaging and to measure portion sizes at home to get a clearer idea of what they should consume looks like according to the packaging suggestions. Shefalee Loth, a nutritionist at Which?, said: “Which? found people can be confused by inconsistent and unrealistic serving sizes and that the way that manufacturers provide these can sometimes make it difficult to assess just how healthy a product is. “Nutrition labelling is really valuable for consumers, including front of pack traffic light labelling, but it needs to be based on meaningful and consistent portion sizes.” Read More Men have a problem – and it won’t be solved by either Andrew Tate or Caitlin Moran Elon Musk reacts to ex-wife Talulah Riley’s engagement to Thomas Brodie-Sangster Thomas Brodie-Sangster references Love Actually in sweet engagement announcement with Talulah Riley In Horto: Hearty, outdoorsy fare in a secret London Bridge garden Zero-fuss cooking: BBQ pork ribs and zingy Asian slaw Brad Pitt and Angelina Jolie ‘set to try and resolve’ longrunning vineyard dispute
2023-07-28 22:46
Kraft Heinz CEO Patricio to step down, insider to succeed
Kraft Heinz's CEO Miguel Patricio will step down from the role and succeeded by Carlos Abrams-Rivera, the president
2023-08-14 22:23
Who stars in 'Five Star Chef' Season 1? Chef Michel Roux Jr judges Netflix cooking show as seven contestants face off
Netflix's 'Five Star Chef' Season 1 previously aired on Chanel 4; watch seven skilful chefs fight for their spot at Langdon Hotel
2023-07-14 13:29
The M1 MacBook Air just hit its lowest price ever ahead of Prime Day
SAVE $249.01: Grab the M1 MacBook Air with 256GB of built-in storage for just $749.99
2023-07-11 01:27
Texas abortion ban temporarily lifted for medical emergencies
Women in the US state with pregnancy complications will be exempted from the abortion ban, a judge rules.
2023-08-05 13:22
Sicily Airport Chaos Hits Heat-Strained Travelers
Catania Airport in Sicily is struggling to restore services after a fire last week, adding to woes for
2023-07-23 19:50
Formula One drivers unhappy after ‘dangerous’ Qatar Grand Prix
George Russell believes Formula One went “beyond the limit of what is acceptable” by staging a Qatar Grand Prix that Lando Norris described as “too dangerous”. Canadian driver Lance Stroll said he faded in and out of consciousness because of the extreme heat and humidity during Sunday’s 57-lap race in Lusail and was also seen stumbling towards an ambulance moments after he emerged from his Aston Martin. London-born driver Alex Albon was treated for acute heat exposure at the on-track medical centre, while his rookie Williams team-mate Logan Sargeant was forced to park his car through illness. Alpine’s French driver Esteban Ocon also vomited during the race. Temperatures in the drivers’ cockpits exceeded 50 degrees for a contest which lasted one hour and 28 minutes. Russell, 25, who is director of the Grand Prix Drivers’ Association, and revealed he came close to blacking out after driving back from last to fourth following his first-corner crash with Lewis Hamilton, said: “Today was beyond the limit of what is acceptable. “Over 50 per cent of the grid said they were feeling sick, couldn’t drive and were close to passing out. “You don’t want to be passing out at the wheel when you are driving at 200mph, and that is how I felt at times. “If it got any hotter I would have retired because my body was ready to give up.” This was only the second staging of the Qatar race and the first of a 10-year deal which, in the region of £45million each season, is among the most lucrative for the sport’s American owners Liberty Media. Next year’s edition will be held two months later in December when it is expected to be cooler. McLaren driver Norris, 23, who finished third, said: “We found the limit today and it is sad we had to find it this way. “It is never a nice situation to be in when people are ending up in the medical centre or passing out. “It is not a point where you can just say, ‘the drivers need to train more’. We are in a closed car and it gets extremely hot. “Clearly, when you have people who end up retiring or in such a bad state it is too much. It is too dangerous. “I know that next year this race is later on in the season, and it will be cooler, but it is still something that needs to be addressed. I am sure we will speak about it because it shouldn’t have happened in the first place.” Read More Lewis Hamilton and George Russell vent anger on radio after collision in Qatar Lewis Hamilton crashes out after first-corner collision with George Russell In his own words: Christian Horner on world champion Max Verstappen Angry Lance Stroll shoves personal trainer and storms out of interview Max Verstappen fastest in Qatar practice as he closes in on world championship Fernando Alonso lauds Max Verstappen as best F1 driver since Michael Schumacher
2023-10-09 17:25
Buy an eero 6+ Mesh WiFi System for Prime Day and get a free 4K Fire TV Stick
TL;DR: Amazon's popular eero 6+ Mesh WiFi Systems are on sale for $194.99, letting shoppers
2023-07-11 19:50
'The Fall of the House of Usher' dropped a 'Hush' Easter egg you might have missed
The Fall of the House of Usher is stacked to the rafters with allusions. Not
2023-10-13 00:49
Montana is banning TikTok. But can the state enforce the law and fend off lawsuits?
TikTok is challenging Montana’s first-of-its kind law that makes it illegal for people to use the social media app in the state
2023-05-23 07:26
Get a Roomba robot vacuum for up to 41% off to tackle your end-of-spring cleaning
SAVE UP TO 41%: As of May 31, save up to 41% on select iRobot
2023-06-01 00:52
Virtual floats reduce waste at Thai festival
Luscious greens, egg-yolk yellows and delicate oranges flickered across waterways in the Thai capital Bangkok, as virtual projections of the Loy Krathong festival's traditional offerings...
2023-11-28 16:49
You Might Like...
Coupang Sustains Profit Streak, Sees Logistics Investments Pay Off
Apple releases iOS 16.6 with a bunch of security fixes
OpenAI Delays The Launch Of Its GPT Store
Snoring before age 50 is a health ‘red flag’, experts suggest
Galaxy, MGM Are Said to Explore Opening Casinos in Thailand
Inmates hold scores of guards hostage in Ecuador's latest prison crisis
Billionaire Cheng Family Takes Over Vietnam Casino Resort
Joe Wicks makes workout video for people with Parkinson’s
