Reading food labels and understanding what is in our food is helpful but not vital (Do I need to read food labels? bhf.org.uk)
I know a few like the E food codes - yet I have not had any reaction to food I've eaten in the past and now so although it is useful to know what's in our food, it's not vital unless we have a reaction to certain foods and those with gluten. Out of interest I tried the gluten free shop brand digestive biscuits and they are just as nice as normal digestive biscuits. Do I need to read food labels?