The Evidence Ledger
A story can sound precise, moving, and plausible without being established. Every claim in an Aware of My Food journey carries one of four editorial labels, so a beautiful possibility never quietly becomes a fact.
The four labels
Verified
An appropriate accessible source directly supports the specific claim. It does not mean the entire surrounding story is proven.
Reported
A producer, label, organization, interview, or other named source made the claim. The attribution stays attached.
Inferred
Documented context supports a reasoned estimate or interpretation. It remains an inference.
Unknown
Evidence is absent, inaccessible, conflicting, or insufficient. Unknown is not a blank to decorate.
Why it matters
A barcode may offer a clue; it is never automatic proof of an exact farm, worker, route, or package history. A country on a label is a reported claim about scope, not a farm address. A photograph cannot verify a crop variety, a soil practice, or an environmental outcome. The ledger keeps product identity separate from exact-package traceability, and required supply-chain records separate from what a consumer can actually see.
Official source library
Traceability and labels
- GS1 Global Traceability Standard
- GS1 traceability overview
- GS1 Digital Link
- FDA Food Traceability Rule
- FDA Nutrition, Food Labeling, and Critical Foods
Seeds, maize, and beans
- FAO Seeds and Plant Genetic Resources
- CIMMYT Genetic Resources
- USDA ARS Phaseolus Genetic Stock Collection