---
title: "Reading a Food Label"
description: "The back of a packet states what is in it, in order of how much, and what a portion gives you. Reading it is how a shopper compares two products that both claim to be healthy."
canonical: https://lightmysky.com/learn/design-and-technology/reading-a-food-label-mt_1oQ_cPb_-T
source: https://lightmysky.com/learn/design-and-technology/reading-a-food-label-mt_1oQ_cPb_-T.md
retrieved: 2026-09-12
---

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# Reading a Food Label

The back of a packet states what is in it, in order of how much, and what a portion gives you. Reading it is how a shopper compares two products that both claim to be healthy.

Subject: Design & Technology · Area: Food & Cooking · Ages 11 to 13
Page: https://lightmysky.com/learn/design-and-technology/reading-a-food-label-mt_1oQ_cPb_-T

## Ready when they can

- Say what the ingredient order tells you and use it to spot what a product is mostly made of
- Read energy, sugar, fat and salt per 100 g and compare two products fairly
- Explain the difference between per portion and per 100 g, and why packets prefer one
- Find the allergen information and say who needs it

## Lesson: Turn the Packet Over

Start with the serving size at the top. Every number below it counts for one serving, not the whole packet.

Ingredients run in order of amount, so the first item is what the food is mostly made of. For a fair fight between two packs, compare the per 100 grams column.

**Example.** One cereal shows small sugar per portion because its serving is tiny. Per 100 grams it holds more sugar than its rival, so the rival wins.

**Tip.** Packets headline per portion numbers to look slim. Read per 100 grams to compare, then per portion to learn what you will eat. If you have a food allergy, check the bold allergen words with the ingredients.

**Recap.** Check the serving, read ingredients in order, and compare packs per 100 grams.

## Practice

8 questions on this page, each with its working shown.

## Needs first

- [Cooking and Food Preparation](https://lightmysky.com/learn/design-and-technology/cooking-and-food-preparation-mt_rEYrcOo7Vu)
- [Nutrients in a Healthy Diet](https://lightmysky.com/learn/science/nutrients-in-a-healthy-diet-mt_sDmrVCfzqt)

## Opens up

- [Why Food Goes Bad and How to Stop It](https://lightmysky.com/learn/design-and-technology/why-food-goes-bad-and-how-to-stop-it-mt_Nw5F4g18lY)