Food labelling and responsible sourcing are essential to making healthy food choices

In South Africa, food labelling is becoming a critical tool for empowering individuals to make informed decisions about what they eat and drink, especially as alarming statistics indicate that 31% of men and 68% of women are grappling with overweight issues. Even more concerning is the fact that a staggering 13% of young children under five are also affected.

While various factors contribute to this epidemic, it has been categorised by the Department of Health as a crisis that globally claims at least 2.8 million lives each year, demanding urgent attention and collective action.

“Medically it is reported that this epidemic is caused by, bad eating habits, or increasingly sedentary lifestyles. The financial constraints faced by millions of South African consumers is not helping - as it’s forcing them to opt for cheaper less nutritious food alternatives, leading to weight gain, obesity, diabetes and general decrease in overall health and well-being”, says Mpudi Maubane, National PR, Communications & Sponsorships Manager at The SPAR Group.

“At The SPAR Group, we believe the information supplied on food labels is a starting point for a healthier lifestyle”, continues Maubane. “For this reason, we incorporate the globally accepted and helpful 'Guidelines on Daily Amounts' (GDA) icons on our Freshline, Butcher, Bakery and SPAR private label offerings”.

“Rather than confusing tables of ingredients, we use the simpler GDA system in which the percentage value in each block is based on the recommendations for an average adult of healthy weight and average activity levels”, say Maubane.

At any time, a shopper can make buying decisions based on the most critical aspects of SPAR food products, including:

• Kilojoules (GDA level 8 368 kJ) - the energy provided by food through its combined nutrients measured in kilojoules. Weight may be gained if more kilojoules are absorbed than are burned daily. Reducing kilojoules and burning more than is absorbed can result in weight loss.
• Sugar (GDA level 90g) - besides being a source of energy and adding sweetness to food, too much sugar raises the threat of weight gain, dental problems, and diabetes.
• Fat (GDA level 70g) - although fat is an essential component of a healthy diet, it is high in kilojoules and can lead to weight gain if consumed excessively.
• Saturates (GDA 20g) - Saturated fats are found in meat and dairy products. Eaten in excess, they can cause high cholesterol levels, which may, in turn, lead to heart disease.
• Salt (GDA 6g) - although salt is essential to optimal body functioning, it is also high in sodium, linked to raised blood pressure and heart disease.

“Meeting The SPAR Group’s commitment to providing healthy food choices does not merely involve labelling SPAR food and beverage products; it consists of a process that begins on farms across the country and ends in our stores with a wide range of products that are as good as the best but cost far less”, says Maubane.

“Our product lines are sourced from trusted suppliers, including local farms and agricultural cooperatives nationwide and meet stringent sourcing, freshness, and quality control standards. These facilities are thoroughly vetted and consistently monitored, ensuring the reliability of our range at every stage of each product’s journey”.

“Emphasis is on quality, range, safety, convenience and includes oversight of ingredient selection, preparation, transportation, and many other stringent requirements of our various product lines. We also intentionally limit suppliers to guarantee the consistency of quality and traceability of products”, continues Maubane.

Critical to the production of these food products that cater to all sectors of the local market is ensuring that SPAR products cover a wide range of high-quality groceries, fresh produce, and bakery items that are competitively priced.

“In line with the need for healthier eating, consumer preferences also change constantly, and part of our challenge is to predict these trends and introduce healthier options, expand organic offerings, or develop healthier convenient meal solutions,” says Maubane.

“Undoubtedly, with the epidemic we’re facing, reducing the sugar content of food is becoming increasingly important, and SPAR has responded to consumer preferences, health concerns, and regulatory actions in several ways”.