Nutritional value

The team of analysts at ifp Institut für Produktqualität perform state-of-the-art nutritional value analyses.

Nutritional value labelling according to the Food Information Regulation

Nutrition labelling will be mandatory and subject to new regulations in future. Regulation (EU) 1169/2011 of 25 October 2011 concerning the provision of food information to consumers was proclaimed and published in the Official Journal on 22 November 2011. The Regulation came into force on 12 December 2011 and will be valid as of 13 December 2014. The obligation to declare the nutritional value (Articles 9, 30 and 32) will not be valid until 13 December 2016. Any nutrient labelling done voluntarily prior to this date must comply with the Regulation as of 13 December 2014. Up until then any nutritional information declared is voluntary. Despite this, the food-producing sector is already beginning to modify or state nutritional values in accordance with this Regulation.

Mandatory food information (BIG 7)

The mandatory nutrient declaration referring to 100 g (ml), also referred to as the BIG 7, is given in the form of a table: energy value in kilojoules (kJ) / kilocalories (kcal), fat, saturated fatty acids, carbohydrates, sugar, protein and salt.

Example: basic

Nutritional Value 1

Voluntary food information

The calorific value and nutrients can additionally be stated in percent of the reference intake for adults, as listed in Annex XIII, indicating “Daily reference intake for adults (8400 kJ/2000 kcal)”, see Article 32.

Annex V of the Regulation contains a list of foods that are exempted from the requirement of mandatory nutrition declaration. These include unprocessed products that comprise a single ingredient, coffee, tea, foods that are directly supplied by the manufacturer of small quantities, and food in packaging the largest surface area of which is less than 25 cm².

All definitions of terms are found in the Regulation.

Examples:

Nutritional Value 2

Tolerances and Rundungsleitlinien

The EU has published a guidance document for competent authorities for the control of compliance with EU legislation. This document contains information on tolerances and rounding guidelines for the declaration of nutritional values, vitamins and minerals.