While many were enjoying the long national day weekend, seven students from the Diploma in Food Science & Nutrition and Diploma in Pharmaceutical Science dedicated their weekend to promote Reading Food Label Initiative.

This initiative aims to raise public awareness about the importance of understanding nutritional labels and to demonstrate that deciphering them is easier than it seems. By making nutrition education engaging and informative, it seeks to equip the public with the knowledge needed to read and interpret food labels effectively, empowering individuals to make healthier choices.

Introduced by Owen Tan, an alumnus of the Diploma in Food Science & Nutrition, the School of Applied Science (SAS) and the HEAL Club seized the opportunity to promote the Reading Food Label Initiative to 1,500 members of the public at the National Day Observation Ceremony 2024.

Utilising resources and takeaways from the Healthy Eating and Active Lifestyle (HEAL) Club, these students engaged members of the public with activities on making healthier dietary choices. They shared basic yet important information, such as:

• what's in the food and drinks we consume
• how to read Nutri-Grade labels
• how to identify the grade of various drinks
• how to interpret key details like added sugars and sodium levels on nutrition information panels.

Felicia Tue Xian Hui, a third-year student from the Diploma in Food Science & Nutrition, felt that this was an eye-opening and invaluable experience.

 “Planning and volunteering for the event was deeply rewarding. As the event planner, I enjoyed creating engaging activities that taught participants about label reading, which revealed how marketing can mislead consumers. Educating people of all ages enhanced my interpersonal skills and adaptability. I’m grateful to have worked with a dedicated team to raise awareness on this important topic.”

Saw Thiri Naing, a second-year student from the Diploma in Pharmaceutical Science, also broadened his horizons.

“Organising the nutrition label reading event has been an enlightening experience, highlighting the connection between health and nutrition. By teaching participants to read labels, we empower them to make informed food choices, fostering a culture of wellness in our community. This journey has reinforced my belief in limitless learning and personal growth, showing that together we can take small steps toward a healthier future.”

Both students are committee members of the HEAL Club, where they can hone their communication skills through direct engagement with the community. Members learn to explain complex nutritional information in an accessible manner and develop essential skills that will benefit their future careers.

In March 2024, the HEAL Club successfully conducted a food label reading workshop for 50 seniors at Ace the Place Community Centre. They also organised a large-scale event at RenCi @ Woodlands, where they educated 200 members of the public on nutrition and wellness.