Grade 3Hygiene & Nutrition

Packaged Food

Types of packaged food; reading basic information on labels (date, ingredients).

📖 5 min read · 3 worked examples · 7 practice questions

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The lesson

We'll explore how packaged foods are part of our everyday lives and what we can learn from their labels. First, look at this list. Our topic is packaged food in daily life. By the end of today, you'll be able to identify common packaged foods, read basic label information, and see how those choices connect to health and nutrition. Can anyone think of a packaged snack you had this morning? Let's share a few examples before we dive deeper.

First, look at these examples. Snacks include things like chips, biscuits, and candy – the treats you might have after school. Beverages are drinks such as juice boxes or powdered milk that you can mix with water. Staples are everyday items like rice packets and instant noodles, which help families prepare meals quickly. This table shows pictures of those foods and the typical packaging you might see – a colorful bag for chips, a carton for milk, or a sealed pouch for noodles. Notice how the packaging keeps the food safe and fresh. If you have any questions about these foods or their packaging, feel free to raise your hand!

First, labels help us know exactly what we are eating. For example, the front of a packet might say "Mango Juice" so we can choose a drink we like. Second, they show expiry dates. This tells us when food might go bad, like the "use by" date on a bag of ugali flour, so we avoid getting sick. Third, the ingredient list lets people with allergies know what's inside, such as peanuts or milk, keeping everyone safe. Do you have any questions about these points? Remember, reading labels helps us make smart, healthy choices every day.

Class, let's talk about reading the expiry date on a product label. First, find the date—it's usually printed at the top or bottom of the pack, easy to spot when you open it. Next, look at the format: you might see a full day, month, and year like 08/12/2025, or just the month and year such as 08/2025. If the date has already passed, we should not use the product—throw it away or ask an adult for a safe way to dispose of it. Remember, checking the expiry date helps keep us healthy and safe.

Everyone, let's explore how to read the ingredients list on a food label. First, notice that the ingredients are listed in order of amount, with the biggest ingredient at the top. For common words like sugar, salt, oil, and flour—they tell you what the food is mostly made of. Finally, scan the list for any allergens such as peanuts or milk so you know if it's safe for you to eat.

Let's review our take‑home messages so you can stay safe and healthy with the foods you choose. First, always check the expiry date on packages before you buy or eat anything. The expiry date tells us when the food might start to go bad. Second, read the ingredients list. This helps you avoid foods you might be allergic to and lets you see how much sugar is in the product. Third, when you can, pick healthier packaged foods – those with more natural ingredients and less added sugar. Remember, these simple steps can make a big difference for your health. Great job today, everyone!

Worked examples

Biscuit Pack

Everyone, let's look at our worked example titled "Biscuit Pack." We'll read the label together, step by step. First, find the expiry date. Here it says 12/2024, which means the biscuits are still good to eat until December 2024. Next, look at the ingredients list: wheat flour, sugar, butter, and a few others. These are the things that make the biscuit tasty. Finally, notice the amount of sugar. We'll talk about why it's important to enjoy sweets like biscuits in moderation, so we stay healthy. Great job following the label! Remember, checking the expiry date and reading the ingredients help us make smart snack choices.

Juice Box

Class, let's look at this worked example about a juice box label. First, notice the expiry date says 05/2025 – that means this juice is safe to drink until May 2025. Can anyone tell me why checking the expiry date is important? Yes, because it tells us if the food is still fresh. Next, look at the ingredients list: water, fruit concentrate, and sugar. These are the things that make up the juice. Why do you think it's good to know the ingredients? It helps us choose healthy drinks. Finally, check if the label mentions added vitamin C. This tells us if extra nutrition has been added. Remember, reading the label helps us stay safe and make healthy choices.

Instant Noodles

Class, let's look at our worked example called "Instant Noodles." This is a snack many of us see in the shop. Here we have the label we would read before buying it. We'll check three things: the expiry date, the ingredients, and the sodium level. First, look at the expiry: it says 11/2023. That means the noodles are good until November 2023. If today is after that month, we should not buy them because the food could be unsafe. Next, the ingredients list shows wheat flour, salt, and flavor powder that contains MSG. Remember, an ingredients list tells us what is inside the food. Finally, notice the sodium amount. It is quite high, which means a lot of salt. Too much sodium can raise blood pressure, so we should only eat these noodles occasionally and balance them with fresh vegetables. To sum up, before buying a snack we check the expiry date, read the ingredients, and look at the sodium level. Good job paying attention, everyone!

Practice questions

  • Remember, the expiry date tells us the last day the food should be eaten safely. It's not about how tasty it will be, and it's not the day it was made or arrived at the store.
  • Also, the part of the label that lists the ingredients is called the "Ingredients" section. That's where you'll find everything that was used to make the food.
  • Take a moment, read each question carefully, and choose the best answer. I'm proud of you for paying attention!
  • First, think about a pack of chips that shows 03/2022 as the date. Today is May 2026, so the date on the pack is more than four years old.
  • If you are allergic to milk, you need to look for the word **"milk"** or any milk‑derived ingredient on the label, such as cheese, whey, or casein. These tell you the product contains milk.
  • Sometimes a food item doesn't show an expiry date. Before you eat it, you can **check the smell, texture, and any signs of spoilage**, or you can ask the seller for the production date.
  • Finally, look at this ingredient list: water, sugar, salt, corn starch, natural colour. Which ingredient makes the product taste sweet?

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