1. Nutrition Facts Label (as per FSSAI)
The Nutrition Facts label provides
detailed information on the nutrient content of a food product, allowing
consumers to make informed dietary choices. It follows a standardized format as
per FSS (Packaging and Labelling) Regulations, 2011.
Key Components of a Nutrition Facts Label:
- Serving Size
a) It indicates
the amount of food that constitutes a single serving.
b) Must be
declared in a standard unit (e.g., grams, ml, or pieces).
c) Servings per
container should also be mentioned.
- Energy (Calories)
a) Expressed in
kilocalories (kcal) per serving.
b) Helps
consumers compare calorie intake.
- Macronutrients (Per 100g or Per Serving)
a. Carbohydrates (g)
Includes total carbohydrates, sugars (natural and
added), and dietary fiber.
b. Proteins (g)
c. Fats (g)
Total fats, saturated fats, trans fats.
- Micronutrients (Per 100g or Per Serving)
a)
Vitamins (A,
D, E, C, etc.), if present.
b) Minerals
(Calcium, Iron, Sodium, etc.).
- % RDA (Recommended Daily
Allowance)
a) Based on
ICMR (Indian Council of Medical Research) guidelines.
b) Helps
consumers understand how a particular food contributes to daily nutrient needs.
2. Nutritional Claims & Their Calculation
Food manufacturers make nutrient
content claims to highlight specific benefits of a product, such as
"low fat" or "high protein."
Common Nutrition Claims & Their Calculation:
Example: Calculating Nutrition Claims for a Cereal Product
|
Claim Type |
Criteria |
Example Calculation |
|
Low Fat |
≤ 3g fat
per 100g (solids) or ≤ 1.5g per 100ml (liquids) |
A product
with 2.8g fat per 100g qualifies as "Low Fat." |
|
Fat-Free |
≤ 0.5g fat per 100g/ml |
A beverage
with 0.3g fat per 100ml qualifies as "Fat-Free." |
|
High
Protein |
≥ 20% of
total energy from protein |
A product
with 10g protein and 200 kcal total energy provides (10 × 4) ÷ 200 × 100 =
20% energy from protein. |
|
Source of
Protein |
≥ 10% of
total energy from protein |
A product
with 8g protein and 250 kcal provides (8 × 4) ÷ 250 × 100 = 12.8%,
thus meeting the criteria. |
|
Low Sugar |
≤ 5g sugar
per 100g |
A food
with 4.5g sugar per 100g qualifies as "Low Sugar." |
|
Sugar-Free |
≤ 0.5g sugar per 100g/ml |
A beverage
with 0.3g sugar per 100ml qualifies as "Sugar-Free." |
|
High Fiber |
≥ 6g fiber
per 100g |
A biscuit
with 7g fiber per 100g can be labeled as "High Fiber." |
|
Low Sodium |
≤ 120mg
sodium per 100g |
A snack
with 110mg sodium per 100g qualifies as "Low Sodium." |
Label Information (Per 100g of Cereal)
- Energy: 400 kcal
- Protein: 12g
- Fat: 8g
- Carbohydrates: 70g (of
which sugars: 5g)
- Fiber: 6.5g
- Sodium: 110mg
Claims Justification:
- High Protein:
(12 × 4) ÷ 400 × 100 = 12% → Meets "Source of Protein" but not "High Protein." - Low Fat:
8g is not ≤ 3g → Does not qualify. - Low Sugar:
5g sugar meets the "Low Sugar" claim. - High Fiber:
6.5g fiber meets the "High Fiber" claim. - Low Sodium:
110mg sodium qualifies for "Low Sodium."
3. Nutrient Reference Values & RDA
For nutrient claims, % RDA is often calculated.
Formula is as below:-
% RDA = (Nutrient per serving/RDA Value) x 100
Example:
- If a biscuit contains 8g protein per serving, and the RDA for protein is 55g
4. Additional Labelling Requirements
a) Allergen
Declaration: Must mention major allergens (gluten, soy, nuts, dairy).
b) Fortification
Labeling: If fortified, the +F logo must be displayed.
c) Storage
& Handling Instructions: Temperature conditions should be mentioned for
perishable items.
5. Energy Contribution from Macronutrients
Energy in
food is derived from protein, fat, and carbohydrates, each providing a
specific amount of calories per gram:
- Carbohydrates: 4 kcal/g
- Proteins: 4 kcal/g
- Fats: 9 kcal/g
Formula for Total Energy Calculation
Total Energy
= (Carbohydrates (g)×4) + (Proteins (g)×4) + (Fats (g)×9)
Example Calculation
For a food
item with 50g carbohydrates, 10g protein, and 5g fat:
Total energy
= (50×4) + (10×4) + (5×9) = 200 + 40 + 45=
285 kcal
