How to Read a Food Ingredient List
Read a prepackaged food label in the order of food name, ingredients, nutrition, allergens, date, storage and responsible party.
Food labels are a gateway to product facts, but they need to be read in order. The front picture and slogan are responsible for attracting attention, and information such as legal name, ingredient list, nutritional ingredients, net content, date, storage method, producer and importer help consumers determine what the product is.
China has released new versions of standards such as GB 7718-2025. The specific implementation and transition requirements should be based on the official documents of the national health department and market supervision department. Website articles can only explain the reading method. Any specific product should be based on the actual Chinese label and current applicable regulations.
Confirm the food name first
Brand names, range names and flavour names are not necessarily legal or authentic attributes of a food product. Look for a name that describes the category, such as dressing, sauce, olive oil, or frozen dessert, and then determine whether the picture on the front matches the actual ingredients.
If it is emphasized that a certain ingredient or specific ingredient is added, the relevant content may need to be declared according to applicable rules. Don’t assume just because a picture of olives, truffles or fruit appears on the packaging that these are the main ingredients.
Read the order of ingredients again
Ingredients are usually arranged in descending order of addition amount, and compound ingredients may need to be expanded to indicate their composition. Food additives should be presented according to prescribed names or functional categories, and the quality of a product cannot be judged solely by the length of the ingredient name.
Products in the same category may use different ingredients for structure, acidity, emulsification, preservation or flavour. The key is that the name is clear, the purpose is legal, the information is verifiable, and it meets the dietary and allergy needs of the consumer.
Nutritional numbers should be converted to serving size
Nutritional information may be stated per 100g, per 100ml or per serving. When comparing products, first unify the units and then convert based on the actual serving size. Figures such as energy, protein, fat, carbohydrates and sodium cannot be interpreted apart from the total diet.
Nutrition claims such as “low”, “none” and “high” are subject to conditions and are not vague adjectives in everyday language. When encountering claims, you should also look at the value, portion size and applicable standards.
Final check for safety and usage information
Allergens, production date, shelf life, post-opening requirements and storage temperature directly affect the choice. The shelf life is based on the marked storage conditions. Cold chain products cannot be judged only by the date after they leave the specified temperature.
Imported products should also check the domestic responsible entities and Chinese information. LuxurEat (露意膳) will match the online introduction with the final product documents. If there are differences between the web page and packaging, the legal label and the latest technical information should prevail and be verified in a timely manner.
Digital labels and online pages
Online sales pages should provide the key information consumers need to make a choice, but web page screenshots may expire after product updates. Still check the actual packaging when ordering and receiving your order, especially the formula, allergens, specifications and date.
QR codes or digital labels can carry more detailed information, but should not obscure or replace information that must appear on the packaging by law. If the version cannot be confirmed, the batch will be retained and the responsible party will be queried.
