Family Economics And Consumer Education 3 (2+1)

Lesson 30 :Labelling and packaging

Contents Of Labels

Labels if carefully read, gives a lot of information about the product , its use etc. Every label usually contains the following information.

1. Brand name: Ex: Colgate
2. Trade name: Ex: Cibaca Top
3. Price (MRP) : Rs 21/-
4. Manufacturers name and address: Hindustan lever plot no-5, Balanagar, Mumbai High way Hyderabad-500037.
5. Product name : Toothpaste
6. Net weight of contents: 200 gm.
7. Ingredients: calcium carbonate, sorbitol, silica.
8. Variety and quality
9. Manufacturing and expiry dates: 06/04, 2 years from Date of manufacturing.
10. Batch number: B20
11. License number
12. Directions for use: For best results, squeeze from the bottom and flatten as you go up
13. Standardization mark: ISI
14. Packaging quality number with mark.
15. Detail of color and preservation added: contain and permitted synthetic food colors and added flavors and permitted class II preservatives.

Thus from labels consumers can get the information they require for making suitable buying decisions and also for instructions during their use and storage.

Advantages of Labeling :

1. Labeling includes the amount, directions for use, guaranty of the product, the name of the manufacturer etc.
2. It enables the consumer to make healthier food choices and good quality products such as AGMARK. Label indicates purity and quality of product.
3. Labeling are highly useful to consumer since they prevent the misuse of the products and also consumers are given a chance to select the good quality of their choice.
4. In labeling the instructions are given either in writing or in the form of standard symbols.
5. In some other products like the products which are harmful to human being, the labeling or the instructions like” keep beyond reach of children: etc.

How consumers are cheated by the sellers:

1. Brand labels are copied by small scale domestic industry for promotion of their products

Ex: LAKME-LEKME, PEPSI-PAPSI

2. Some items composition in the label are changed for the promotion of their products.

; Ex: Vit.11.0gm will be printed but not the expiry date.

3. Some labels may give wrong information and deceive the buyers.

Ex: use product for 4 months use to get glow fairness which after using for 4 ;years will not show any results. For ex: Fair and Lovely for dark skin.