ABSTRACT
This chapter outlines the increasing importance of the availability of information about food products for the consumer. A number of regulations and directives from the European Union (EU) lay down labeling requirements for specific groups of foodstuffs. In the United States, detailed rules on food labeling have been implemented. Many federal labeling rules were adopted under the 1938 Federal Food, Drug and Cosmetic Act. Consumers are increasingly interested in the origin, features, characteristics, quality, and nutritional properties of the foodstuffs they purchase. The proper functioning of markets requires consumers who are able to use labeling information properly in order to get the best value for their money. Many governments have adopted legal provisions to guarantee the safety of foodstuffs; manufacturers make a strong effort to ensure that the foodstuffs they produce are safe and wholesome. A number of label requirements are similar in the United States and the EU. The introduction of food irradiation has caused considerable problems.
