An assessment of food labels of some selected pre-packaged food products on the Ghanaian market

Background: Adequate Food labels can potentially prevent unhealthy eating and its associated diet-related diseases. Aim: To assess the extent to which prepackaged food products on the Ghanaian market meet requirements of The Ghana Standards Authority. Method: Study was cross-sectional. Five shopping centers were selected. Pre-packaged food products (N = 400) were put in 5 groups: Dairy products, Breakfast Cereals, Meat and Fish products, Fruit Juices and Carbonated Drinks, and Confectionery (80 per group; 40 imported products and 40 locally made). Their food labels were observed. The Ghana Standards Authority general labeling rules (L. I. 1541, 1992), was used as reference data. Data was summarized into proportions and percentages. Results: Adherence to labeling requirements was generally good though better in the imported than the local products. ‘Name of product’ and ‘prominent lettering of product name’ were most adhered to while ‘Directions for use’ was least adhered. Fruit juices, carbonated drinks, dairy products and meat and fish products recorded high adherence rates compared to breakfast cereals and confectionery. Conclusion: Prepackage food products on the Ghanaian market largely adhered to labeling requirements though better in imported food products than locally made ones.