Part 2: Nutritional Analysis – Include the table on the label or not?
There is often confusion about whether or not nutritional information is required to be on the label; and if it is, whether testing must be done or not. By better understanding the current regulations and having an easy-to-use decision tree available, you can make the right decisions for your product.
The Regulations Relating to the Labelling and Advertising of Foodstuffs (R. 146/2010 as amended) do not require nutritional information as part of the minimum mandatory information that must be declared on the label of a foodstuff – unless a nutrient content claim is being made.
If you intend to make a nutrient content claim (e.g. ‘sugar-free’, ‘high in fibre’, ‘source of Calcium’), you must include the nutritional information as specified in the regulations, and the values must be from the results of laboratory analysis. The format of the nutritional table must be as per the requirements of R. 146.
When you are not making a claim, the inclusion of this information becomes voluntary. This decision could be based on whether you think it will be beneficial to the consumer, whether your competitors are declaring it, and if space on the label permits it.
Should you decide to present it voluntarily, you may obtain the information from a number of different sources, as laid out in this decision-tree infographic. However, the nutrients declared and the format of the declaration should still be in line with the requirements set out in R. 146.
This helpful decision tree may be useful to you in this process:
Whether you are including the nutritional information voluntarily or because you have to, if it is tested it is important to ensure that the correct sampling method and the right testing methods are used.
Other articles you may be interested in:
Minimum labelling infographic
FACTS Nutritional Information
Part 1: Nutritional Analysis – A complete guide
Part 3: Nutritional Analysis – Needed or can it be calculated?
Part 4: Nutritional analysis – the what, how and where of sampling
Part 5: Nutritional Analysis – What serving size to label
Part 6: Nutritional Analysis – Red flags to look out for