Learning to shop in another language involves more than recognising the word for milk. Try these eight questions before your next supermarket trip—and count “not enough information” as a perfectly respectable answer when the label really is incomplete.
Give yourself one point for each correct answer. These questions use short label phrases, rather than claiming to assess a whole product from one ingredient. For actual shopping, read the complete current pack and consider the dietary requirements that matter to you.
1. A sweet lists “gelatine.” What is its origin?
- A. A plant starch
- B. Animal collagen
- C. It can only be identified by its E-number
B. Animal collagen. Voedingscentrum explains that gelatine is animal-derived and does not have an E-number. The word alone does not identify which animal was used. If your dietary rules require that information, you need more than the ingredient name.
2. A cheese lists only “stremsel.” Can you tell whether it uses animal rennet?
- A. Yes, all stremsel is animal-derived
- B. Yes, all modern rennet is microbial
- C. No, the word alone does not establish its source
C. You need more information. Rennet can be obtained in different ways. Voedingscentrum’s explanation of cheese production distinguishes animal-derived rennet from alternatives produced using microorganisms. Look for a more specific statement or ask the manufacturer.
3. What does “microbieel stremsel” tell you?
- A. The rennet is of non-animal origin
- B. The cheese contains no milk
- C. The cheese is automatically vegan
A. It identifies non-animal rennet. Voedingscentrum’s label guidance explains this wording. It does not remove the milk from a dairy cheese, and it does not establish that the whole product is vegan.
4. The red colourant E120 comes from…
- A. Beetroot
- B. An insect
- C. Red peppers
B. An insect. Voedingscentrum identifies E120 as a colorant derived from cochineal insects. “Natural” does not mean “plant-based.” Ingredient origin and ingredient safety are different questions; this answer concerns origin.
5. A product has the vegetarian V-Label. Does that mean it is egg-free?
- A. Yes
- B. No
- C. Only if the packet is green
B. No. The V-Label’s vegetarian criteria permit eggs as well as milk. That may differ from how you use “vegetarian” at home. If you avoid eggs, check for the vegan category or read the ingredients for your specific requirement. A certification category is useful only when you understand what it includes.
6. A cheese says “48+.” Does that mean 48g of fat in every 100g of cheese?
- A. Yes
- B. No, it refers to fat in the dry matter
- C. It means the cheese has matured for 48 months
B. It refers to dry matter. Voedingscentrum explains the plus sign as a fat indication calculated without the cheese’s water. For grams of fat per 100g of the product you are buying, read the nutrition table.
7. What does “ten minste houdbaar tot” primarily indicate?
- A. A best-before date relating to quality
- B. A use-by safety deadline
- C. The date the pack was opened
A. Best before, or THT. Voedingscentrum distinguishes THT from TGT. A THT date concerns quality; passing it does not automatically make a properly stored, unopened product unsafe. Follow storage instructions and assess the specific product. Once opened, the printed date may no longer describe how long it will keep.</details>
8. A chilled product is past its “te gebruiken tot” date but smells fine. What should you do?
- A. Eat it; smell settles the question
- B. Do not use it after that date
- C. Treat the date as advice about flavour only
B. Do not use it after that date. “Te gebruiken tot,” or TGT, is a use-by safety date. Voedingscentrum warns that harmful microorganisms need not be visible or detectable by smell or taste. The “smells fine” test does not override a use-by date.
Your score—and the words worth saving
7–8: You are reading beyond the front of the packet. 4–6: You know the basics, with a few useful additions. 0–3: Save the table below; your next shopping trip can be the retake.
| Label | What it tells you |
|---|---|
| Gelatine | An animal-derived ingredient |
| Stremsel | Rennet; the source may need checking |
| Microbieel stremsel | Non-animal rennet |
| E120 | An insect-derived colourant |
| Vegetarian V-Label | May include eggs and dairy |
| 48+ | Fat indication based on dry matter |
| THT | Best-before quality date |
| TGT | Use-by safety date |
Sources
- Voedingscentrum. Animal ingredients, cheese labels, insect-derived additives, and THT/TGT dates.
- V-Label. Official vegetarian and vegan criteria.
