Nutritional Labelling

The amount of information given to consumers over the years has steadily increased and basic nutritional information (Nutrition Facts in North America) is an expected feature on most food products.

Where a nutrition claim ('low fat', high in protein', 'high fibre') is made about the properties of a food the provision of Nutritional Information is mandatory (EU Nutrition Labelling Directive 90/496).

The above Directive stipulates that layout of nutrition information, what has to be declared and the order in which the information is presented - this ensures that despite the diversity of languages, products throughout the European Union present the data in a uniform manner, .

Also within the Directive are to be found the minerals and vitamins that can be declared in the nutrition information and, for each, their recommended daily allowance (RDA).

In most cases chemical analysis is the most reliable means of establishing the nutritional data - it is the only the only approach to take when determining shelf life, to ensure that vitamins are still present at the levels claimed, at the end of the product's shelf life

Eclipse offers a full nutritional testing service to the food industry; routine analysis for nutritional labelling is generally offered as a 5-day service although, by prior arrangement, this can be carried out in 3 days. Reports can include the results presented in the format required for use on food labels.

Apart from the common properties shown in the illustration, vitamins and mineral allowable under the Directive can be determined - virtually all the tests are UKAS/ISO 17025 accredited.

For foods being exported to the United States or Canada, we offer the full range of tests needed to make up a Nutrition Facts panel, including AOAC dietary fiber, cholesterol, vitamin A, vitamin D, iron and calcium. Again, reports can include the results presented in the format required for use on North American food labels.

All analyses are priced at extremely competitive rates and subject to negotiable discounts for bulk or repeated sample submissions. For on-going surveillance testing, we can tailor nutritional analysis packages to suit your needs.

Consultancy on other aspects of food labelling - governed in the UK by the Food Labelling Regulations - is also available.

All analyses are priced at extremely competitive rates.