A Christmas log made of 80% empty, lumpfish eggs with a carcinogenic additive, a roast with morels containing only 0.9 g of mushrooms… So many examples of products singled out by the Foodwatch association in its investigation into Christmas scams. Here are some tips to avoid being fooled when shopping for the end of the year celebrations. And even beyond.
1. Read the ingredient list carefully
Even if it is tedious, consulting the list of ingredients is the best way to avoid unpleasant surprises. “You have to be wary of certain party products whose composition is sometimes surprising,” warns Audrey Morice, campaign manager at Foodwatch.
The association encourages consumers to be on the lookout for additives, some of which are carcinogenic, but also palm oil. The latter is “an ingredient that is certainly less expensive, but also less good for both health and the environment”, continues Audrey Morice. Checking the composition of the product also makes it possible to ensure consistency between the image on the packaging and its content.
VIDEO. Palm oil returns masked, check your packaging carefully
2. Compare prices per kilo
Another reflex to adopt, whether at Christmas, New Year’s Eve or throughout the year: always refer to the price per kilo. Unit prices are sometimes misleading, especially if the item is over-packaged. Tip: Flip it over to expose the void, as her Foodwatch guide to Christmas scams suggests. Also beware of maxi or family size mentions which sometimes cost more than the individual package.
3. Watch out for special holiday displays
A great Christmas classic, the display with an attractive decoration is not always a bargain. “Party marketing can be a pretext to mislead consumers,” judge Audrey Morice. If you are seduced by a product sold on one of these displays, compare its price per kilo with that of similar items in the store’s standard departments.