Menu Guide Labeling
Introducing a menu labeling system which is internationally recognised. These labels help allergy sufferers or anyone on a diet, wanting to eat healthy, organically or vegan to choose their menu item with this knowledge.
These are a great promotional tool. We recommend labeling several of your menus and offering these to guests. They can also be used on product labeling and displays. Quickly find your menu items meeting this criteria at www.MyRecipes.co.nz
Download the MenuGuide Labeling
poster (193KB PDF)
Download all of the MenuGuide Labels
for print (587KB ZIP)
Eatwell Apple
The eatwell apple indicates items fitting a universally accepted low level of fat and sugar.
These items should be recommended especially to customers with heart disease, diabetes and others conscious of their health.
Criteria
Fat less than 10% (less than
10g per 100g)
Sugar less than 10% (less than 10g per
100g)
Gluten Free
The gluten free label indicates that no gluten is contained in any of the ingredients in the product/s indicated.
Gluten is a protein that is found in wheat, barley, oats, rye and triticale. Wheat is the most commonly used gluten containing grain in New Zealand, but wheat has separate proteins of its own that may cause allergy.
Coeliac disease (gluten intolerance) is a condition where the absorptive surface of the gut is damaged by a component of gluten. Coeliac disease is an autoimmune disorder, and occurs where there is a genetic susceptibility. Treatment of coeliac disease involves the life long removal of all gluten from the diet.
This data has been sourced from the Manufactured Food Database and from manufacturers information. MyRecipes displays gluten free products to the best of our knowledge.
GE
Free
The GE free label indicates that no genetically engineered products are contained in the product/s indicated.
Many people in New Zealand choose not to eat genetically modified food as a moral choice. This may be because they do not believe it is necessary or safe or that it is solely for commercial gain.
Products most likely to contain genetically modified ingredients are canola, soy and corn.
Genetic modification (GM) of food occurs when genes are introduced into a plant or animal to produce a desired effect. This may promote longer shelf life, colour, pesticide or disease resistance. New Zealand can import or grow genetically modified food providing it is labelled for the consumer.
Products are indicated as GE free only when assurance has been given. This data has been sourced from the Greenpeace Guide to GE Free Food, and from manufacturers where the data has been available. Products may not be labelled as GE free when in fact they are, either because we have not been advised, or if the product may be produced by more than one suppliers.
Dairy Free
The dairy free label indicates that no dairy products are contained in the product/s indicated.
Most allergies or intolerances to milk and dairy are due to the protein in milk. In this case it is necessary to avoid all foods containing dairy products.
Dairy products contain two substances which can cause problems.
The first
is lactose (milk sugar). Lactose is digested by an enzyme in the gut, called
lactase. In many ethnic groups and in people with bowel problems, the enzyme
either isn't there, or isn't functioning so they cannot digest the lactose. This
we call lactose intolerance. To treat lactose intolerance, it is not necessary
to go completely dairy free; yogurt, sour cream and aged cheeses should cause no
problems.
This data has been compiled from the Manufactured Food Database and manufacturers own information.
Vegan
The vegan label indicates that no animal products are contained in the product/s indicated.
Vegans base their diet around the same principles as vegetarians, but are much stricter, avoiding all animal products. This includes meat, chicken, fish, dairy products and eggs. If you are catering for vegans, the same suggestions apply as for vegetarian dishes, with the additional requirement of no dairy. Vegans also object to the use of gelatine as it is derived from an animal source.
Vegetarian
The vegetarian label indicates that no meat products are contained in the product/s indicated.
Vegetarians usually avoid beef, lamb, pork and chicken and sometimes also fish. This may be for health, religious (Seventh Day Adventists are vegetarian) or moral beliefs regarding the killing of animals.
Halal
The halal label indicates that only halal certified products are contained in the product/s indicated. Fruit, vegetables, dairy products, grains/cereals, herbs and spices are halal.
Halal is an Arabic word, meaning lawful, and is the Islamic dietary law that identifies food permitted for Muslims. Alcohol and pork products are not permitted including pork lard, ham and bacon.
For processed foods to be halal, they must be free of alcohol and pork, and must not have come into contact by either during the manufacturing process. For meat and poultry to be halal it must be slaughtered according to Islamic guidelines. Food cannot touch meat that hasn't been slaughtered in accordance with Islamic law.
Kosher
The kosher label indicates that only kosher certified products are contained in the product/s indicated.
Kashrut is the Jewish dietary law that divides all food into kosher (proper) and trafe (improper). Kosher is further divided up into meat (flayshig), dairy (milchig) and neutral (pareve).
Meat and chicken must be slaughtered according to Jewish law and soaked to remove any trace of blood. Because of this some strict Jews will only order vegetarian meals when dining out.
This data has been compiled from the Kosher Kiwi Directory written by the Auckland Hebrew Congregation.
Organic
The organic label indicates that only organic items are contained in any of the ingredients in the product/s indicated.
Contains Nuts!
The contains nuts! label indicates that your menu icons or product contains nuts.
Some people have a serious allergy and any trace of nuts can cause severe reactions including breathing failure and promises to be a visit to your restaurant they will never forget!
Most deaths from food allergy have been caused by peanuts and a reaction can be triggered by even a tiny amount - as little as 1/2000th of a peanut!
People with peanut allergy must avoid:
- Peanuts, peanut butter, peanut oil
- Monkey nuts, ground nuts, beer nuts
- Arachis oil
- Satay sauces
- Any nut based ingredients that cannot be verified
Chocolate may also contain enough traces of peanuts to trigger a reaction.
Low
Sugar
The low sugar label indicates that no added sugar products are contained in the product/s indicated. You can use the low sugar label if the total sugar content is less than 10% per 100g serve as shown in your nutrition analysis.
Diabetics will appreciate your labelling of sugar free items. Diabetes affects about 4% of New Zealanders; that's 144,000 people. By the year 2011, this will have risen to about 7% of the population.
There are two types of diabetes; type one and type two.
People with type two diabetes should be offered meals with a lower fat and sugar content as well as starch in moderation (about 1/4 of their plate at a main meal).
Low
Carb
The low carb label indicates that the ingredient or recipe contains lower than 10% carbohydrate.
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