Labels
Why the First Ingredient on a Label Matters
Learn what the first ingredient on a label can tell you about a packaged food, where ordering rules have limits, and…
The reading room
All articles
Explore explanations of food labels, ingredients, processing and product forms, with each piece focused on a distinct question readers can usefully consider.
Food Forms
Fresh, Frozen or Canned Peas for the Meal Ahead?
Fresh, frozen or canned peas suit different dishes. Compare their texture and cooking needs, then choose the form that…
Processing
Before the Fridge: How Drying, Salting and Canning Changed Food Preservation
Food preservation before refrigeration reshaped storage and cooking. See how drying, salting and early canning…
Food Language
The Natural Claim Does Not Explain the Whole Product
A natural food claim can sound reassuring without explaining the product. Learn what the phrase does and does not tell…
Ingredients
A Pantry Shelf, Read Before the Shop
A pantry shelf read before the shop turns overlooked ingredients into a short, flexible meal list, without demanding a…