Part 6: Nutritional Analysis – Red flags to look out for
Interpretation of the results of nutritional analysis might seem straightforward, but this is not always the case. There are a few red flags that should always be considered. These include incorrect or incomplete data, whether density was tested in products that declare their nutritional information in millilitres, incorrect calculations used, consideration of the presence of sugar alcohols, organic acids and alcohol, and interpreting results from other countries for a South African label – and vice versa.
Incorrect or incomplete data
The manufacturer should ensure that analysis has been done for all the minimum nutritional information, as prescribed by the relevant regulations. If there are any required-nutrient values missing, this incomplete data can skew the overall nutritional profile of a food item. For labelling purposes there is a list of nutrients that are required to be declared, and which must therefore be tested for (see point 1 of Annexure 2). If you are making any nutrient claims then there may be additional nutrient tests required (refer to regulation 52).
It is essential that the manufacturer understands the nutritional profile of the ingoing ingredients, and whether the production process may affect the nutritional content (such as when a fermentation process reduces sugar content). Therefore, it is useful to conduct theoretical calculations prior to analysis, to estimate the nutritional data for the product. Although these calculations may not be completely accurate, as a manufacturer you will have a better idea of what nutritional information to expect, and can more easily identify any possible errors in the nutritional analysis results. For example, if you are analysing a sugar-free product and the analysis shows that the product is high in sugar, your theoretical calculations can be used as a foundation to support your query of the results with the relevant laboratory. The implications of this type of analytical error can be costly for the manufacturer, leading to higher sugar tax, for example.
Density
Nutritional analysis results are always presented in grams. When nutritional analysis for liquids is done, it is important for the manufacturer to request that the density of the product is analysed too. This ensures that the nutritional information is presented per 100 ml, for example, rather than per 100 g, as the information will be presented on the label in millilitres.
Incorrect calculations
Energy is a calculated value based on the macronutrient content of the product, namely the carbohydrate, protein, dietary fibre and fat values. When you receive your nutritional analysis results it is always worthwhile to check that the energy value was calculated correctly. Consult point 2 of Annexure 2 for the appropriate conversion factors.
Sugar alcohols, organic acids and alcohol
If the product contains any sugar alcohols, organic acids or alcohol, this may affect the energy content of the foodstuff and should be considered in the nutritional analysis process. Therefore, when arranging the analysis of products containing these substances, one must specifically request the testing laboratory to analyse for them, in addition to establishing the basic nutritional information. The laboratory will then ensure that these values are considered when the energy value is calculated.
Interpreting results from other countries
When interpreting the results of a nutritional analysis conducted in a different country, it is important that the manufacturer enquires about the test methods used. Worldwide there are differences in the interpretation of nutritional information – and therefore in the prescribed testing methods. For example, in some countries dietary fibre is considered to be part of the total carbohydrate content, whereas in South Africa it is considered separately. When nutrient levels are reported to be higher or lower than expected, and where test methods or calculations are not in line with those recommended in the South African regulatory context, this should be a red flag that initiates further investigation.
When interpreting nutritional analysis results, it is critical to consider these possible red flags; to ensure that the most accurate nutritional information is reported to the consumer, as well as for the benefit of the manufacturer. These examples show that despite what one might think, nutritional analysis is not always as straightforward as it seems, and care should be taken when interpreting nutritional analysis results.
Contact our regulatory and nutrition department if you require any assistance in identifying and understanding any of these red flags when interpreting nutritional analysis. Rather than simply reporting data, we help our clients understand the relevance of their results.
Other articles you may be interested in:
FACTS Nutritional Testing
Part 1: Nutritional Analysis – A complete guide
Part 2: Nutritional Analysis – Include the table on the label or not?
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