Experts teach you how to read food labels to avoid potential hazards

When looking at food labels, most people may only know some simple ingredients such as water and sucrose, but are not very familiar with some professional terms. In this issue, I will explain to you those obscure terms that often appear on ingredient lists.

gelatin

It is a high-molecular polypeptide obtained by hydrolyzing the collagen contained in animal skin, bones, ligaments, etc., which is the main component of pig skin jelly. In food, it is used as a thickener and is widely used in foods such as ice cream, yogurt, and jelly. Although the protagonist of the once sensational "toxic capsule" incident was also gelatin, it was actually industrial gelatin, which contains heavy metals. Edible gelatin is safe and non-toxic, and consumers can eat it with confidence.

Non-dairy creamer

Its flavor is similar to that of milk, and it is also called creamer powder. It is made into a "companion" for coffee, black tea, and milk tea, or as an ingredient drizzled on jelly and tortoise jelly. It can also be used in some ice creams, chocolates, bread, cakes, creams, and instant cereals to enhance the flavor. It has a smooth taste and can reduce the use of milk or milk powder, thereby reducing costs for producers. The main ingredients of non-dairy creamer include milk protein, lactose, hydrogenated vegetable oil and maltodextrin. Partial hydrogenation of vegetable oils will produce trans fatty acids, which have been shown to increase the risk of various chronic diseases such as atherosclerosis and coronary heart disease. Ingredients similar to non-dairy creamer include "vegetable butter", "margarine", "shortening", etc.

Maltodextrin

It is a starch decomposition product made from starch through hydrolysis, refining and spray drying. Maltodextrin is easier to digest and absorb than starch macromolecules. Adding it to certain nutritional foods can have certain benefits for patients with poor digestion after surgery. Many manufacturers add it to sugar-free foods such as starch, but in fact maltodextrin raises blood sugar levels very quickly and is not suitable for diabetic patients or those who are trying to lose weight. In addition, maltodextrin is added as a filler to foods such as lotus seed powder and yam powder, which will reduce the proportion of natural ingredients. Similar to maltodextrin are glucose syrup, fructose syrup, corn syrup and other ingredients.