Activity 10
Let us Make our own Food Labels
Goyave de Chine picking is a popular and much-liked family activity in Mauritius. The making of Goyave de Chine jam often follows the day after.
You can help your parents prepare the jam (see recipe) and make the food label to be pasted on the jam jars.
Materials needed: Scrap paper/old envelopes, pair of scissors, glue, pen, markers, coloured pencils.
Making of Label
1. Use a piece of scrap paper or the clean/clear side of an envelope to cut out the label (rectangular shape) according to the size of your jar
2. Decorate the borders.
Write the following information on your label:
a. Name of Product: 'Goyave de Chine' Jam
b. Ingredients: 'Goyave de Chine', water, sugar, lemon juice
c. Date of Production: day/month/year, e.g., 23 March 2023.
Your label is now ready to be stuck on the jar.
NOTE to Parents
Jam making is a popular way of preserving fruits at home and avoiding food wastage when there is a surplus of fuits. Local fruits, such as 'goyave de chine' and pineapple can be made into jams. Sterilising jars when making jams, is an important step to prevent food spoilage due to presence of harmful micro-organisms. Sterilising the jars destroys harmful microrogamisms. Sterilising jars expands the shelf life of the preserve too.
It is also important to label home-made preserves with some basic information such as the name of the product, the main ingredients and the date of production.
NOTE to Teachers
Related Health and Physical Education topic/Concept: Safe Food Handling & Reading Food Labels