NCAC NEWS(Vol.9,No.3-4)
INDEX
- NCAC Consumer Forum Held
- Results of Product Tests for "Sugar-free" and "No added sugar" Beverages and Confectioneries
CONTENTS
List of Product Test in FY 1997 NCAC Consumer Forum Held
NCAC holds approximately 30 training sessions and lectures on consumer issues for the staffs of local consumer affairs agencies, consumer counselors, corporate employees, consumer leaders, and consumers each year.
On December 8 and 9, 1997, the annual NCAC Consumer Forum was held. The forum provides the opportunity for individuals and groups involved in consumer activities to report on the results of their work, and to explore directions for consumer activities in the future through discussions and exchange of information.
The theme for the 1997 forum was "Independence of Consumers." In recent years, as Japan's social system and economic system have begun to undergo changes due to deregulation, etc. consumers' independence and freedom to act on their personal responsibility will become increasingly important. The forum was thus held to discuss the necessity of consumer independence from various aspects and to study method of collecting information, which is indispensable for independence.
On the first day, workshops on 4 themes were held, and representatives of 9 groups and individuals (totaling 36) gave presentations. The speakers came from very wide-ranging backgrounds, including those from consumer groups and citizens' groups, researchers, college students, consumer counselors, and others. The contents of the four workshops in which about 650 participated were as follows:1st workshop: Solving the issues of natural resources and environmental problems (Reports were made on recycling of natural resources and energy conservation.)2nd workshop: Responding to diversification of products and services (Case studies on problems related to product quality and service contracts were reported.)3rd workshop: Toward an aging society and comfortable, people-friendly environment (Reports were made on a broad range of research and practical activities to help elderly persons lead a secure and comfortable life, including welfare for elderly persons, development of a good living environment and self-help efforts by elderly persons themselves.) 4th workshop: Reflections on protection and independence of consumers (Researches on consumer rights and consumer protection were presented.)
A plenary meeting was held on the second day. After the greeting given by President Shogo Oikawa of NCAC, Mr. Isamu Miyazaki, the former Director-General ofthe Economic Planning Agency, delivered the keynote speech entitled "A Proposal for Independence of Consumers." He spoke on the economic and social environmentfor consumers which is changing partly in response to accelerating deregulation,and on the responsibility for consumer protection on the part of consumers themselves, enterprises, and the government. This was followed by a panel discussion on the theme "Consumers' Independence and Network Activity." The panelists consisted of two academic experts, the leader of an NPO, and a commentator on consumer living. Panelists presented their views on the issues that are facing consumer groups today and tomorrow from various standpoints, including that as consumer groups tackling a complex and diverse range of consumer problems, it is vital for them to form extensive networks with many groups in various fields to exchange information, just as many NPOs are doing. About 430 persons took part in the plenary session.
Results of Product Tests for "Sugar-free" and "No added sugar" Beverages andConfectioneries
As a reflection of the dieting (weight reduction) trend among many consumers, there are now many food products on the market that claim to be "sugar-free," "non-sugar" and "no added sugar." Such labels are supposed to be put on products in compliance with the nutrition labeling standards set by the Ministry of Health and Welfare. However, consumers do not understand the significance of such labels. NCAC asked 471 consumers in NCAC's product test about such products. While well over 70% of the respondents answered that they "are interested" in food products that claim to be "sugar-free" and "non-sugar," as many as 70% of all respondents said that they "did not know" that nutrition labeling standards exist.
NCAC investigated five brands each of canned beverages, candies and chocolates with such labels, with regard to sugar and other ingredients, and the relationship between ingredients and the labels with the following results.
1. Meaning of labels and situation
According to the nutrition labeling standards, the "sugar-free" label meansthat the product does not include any sugar nor any type of sugar content, such as glucose and lactose, which generate 4kcal per gram (less than 0.5g per 100g), and most of the tested brands met this requirement. The label "no added sugar" is not a standard concerning volume or weight, but merely requires that "sugar is not used as one of the materials" in manufacturing the product; the tested products contained anywhere from 7.8% to 36.8% (sugar).
Moreover, when the terms "sugar-free" and "no sugar added" are used, the makers are obligated to state not only the quantity of sugar sucrose but also protein, fat, glucide, sodium, as well as energy (calories) as general label items. Except for two brands of chocolate, the ingredients were labeled correctly.
2. Types of sweet reagent
All 15 brands used sugar alcohol which has fewer calories. Also, since sugar alcohol is less sweet than sucrose, 10 brands used sweeteners with a strong sweetness (such as stewvia and aspartame), and all of them indicated the names of the sweeteners on the label in accordance with the nutrition labeling standards.
3. Reduction in energy
We compared the energy level of all the products with that of other products with no such "sugar-free" label. While canned beverages with such a label had less than half the energy of other beverages used for comparison, candies with such a label had 20% to 50% less energy. As for chocolates, which had the highest total energy level among the 3 categories tested this time, the ratio of sugar content in the total energy was relatively small, and so only about a 20% reduction in energy is achieved even though low-energy level sugar is used.
The extent of energy loss achieved thus varied between categories and brands.
Also, labels stating that the energy level had been reduced were put on four products. Even in this case, the nutrition labeling standard should be applied, so if a relative expression such as "held down" or "cut" is used, then the energy level of a comparable food product and the reduction ratio must be stated on the label in specific terms. Also, the amount of the reduction must reach the established standard, which is more than 40kcal/100g and 20kcal/100ml for beverages. In our test, labeling complied with these standards, but there were considerable differences in the rate of reduction in energy. Although labels such as "lower calories" were placed in noticeable spots, the reduction ratio was stated on the back in small letters, which made it difficult to read and understand.
4. Advice for consumers
When consumers select this type of product, it is important that they correctly understand the definitions of each label such as "sugar-free," "non-sugar," and "no added sugar." They should not read only "emphasized labeling" related to sugar content and energy reduction, but also check the numerical figures on the energy labeling. List of Product Test in FY 1997
NCAC carried out comparative tests for 12 product items during FY 1997. The results and findings from these product tests were announced in a monthly magazine, "Tashikana-me" (Critical Eyes). We will introduce the items that were announced for your reference.
Product Items Tested in Fiscal 1997
| date of release | tested products |
|---|---|
| 1997. Apr. | Vacuum cleaners - The latest "high-power" models released in the recent period were tested. |
| 1997. May | Products with germ-resistent processing - Products for use in the kitchen, washroom/toilet, and bathroom |
| 1997. Jun. | Water purification equipment - water purifier directly connected to the water faucet, portable water |
| 1997. Jul. | (Fully-automatic) washing machines |
| 1997. Aug. | Specially bred eggs - Chicken eggs that claim extra nutrition and functions |
| 1997. Sep. | Cashmere sweaters |
| 1997. Oct. | Small and light-weight compact cameras |
| 1997. Nov. | Carts to assist walking |
| 1997. Dec. | Mini-vans |
| 1998. Jan. | Frozen vegetables |
| 1998. Feb. | Food products that claim to be "sugar-free" and "no sugar added" |
| 1998. Mar. | Bicycles with electrical motor support |
