Volume 13, Number
6 - June 2013
Hello from Food Label News.
This month we explore the market-specific differences in
food labeling between the U.S. and EU and what you need to
know to develop compliant labels. We also continue our
popular series on Nutrition Analysis with a quick link to
view segments you may have missed. Be sure to join the
conversation in the Food Label Community on LinkedIn for the
latest hot topics in food labeling.
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Nuances in Nutrition Labeling: U.S.
vs EU
The EU process for food labeling is similar to what is
required for FDA-regulated foods in U.S. It is incumbent
upon food labelers to understand the market-specific nuances
to ensure that product labels are compliant with all current
regulations.
Each market has its own set of regulations and graphic
requirements as highlighted below:
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There are several elements required on a U.S.
Nutrition Facts that are not required for EU:
Servings Per Container, Calories from Fat, Trans
Fat, Cholesterol, Vitamin A, Vitamin C, Calcium,
and Iron. In addition, the % Daily Value column
and the Daily Values footnote are not required
in EU. |
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U.S. requires use of English, EU requires
Anglicized English and/or the native language of
the country. A multi-lingual label is
permissible. |
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In EU, nutrient values are generally reported
per 100g or 100 mL basis, whereas in U.S. these
values are reported per FDA Serving Size. |
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In EU, Energy is declared as kJ/kcal, instead of
Calories as in U.S. |
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In EU, vitamins and minerals are permitted only
when 15% or more for solids, or 7.5% or more for
liquids. |
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In U.S., Fiber/Fibre is included in the Total
Carbohydrate value, whereas it is not included
in the Carbohydrate value for EU labels. |
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EU requires a listing for Salt instead of
Sodium; Sodium cannot be displayed within the
nutrition graphic in EU. Salt is derived by
multiplying Sodium x 2.5. |
See a
side-by-side comparison of Nutrition Facts graphics
for U.S. and EU.
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What's News in the
Food Label Community
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FDA responds on adding caffeine to foods
and beverages |
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State activity toward mandatory GMO labeling |
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Implementing EU health claims |
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"Local" Food Definition Changed in Canada |
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Ingredient labeling for dried and pureed items |
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Labeling requirements for vegan, raw,
and never
heated |
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Connect with
other food labelers on LinkedIn |
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Reader Favorites
Examples of U.S. Nutrition Facts Labels |
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Search answers
to food label questions |
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Each regulatory body (FDA in U.S., EFSA in EU)
establishes the reference amounts to be used in nutrition
labeling. Because this is a geography-specific process,
reference amounts for nutrients vary around the world. See a
quick, detailed overview of required and allowable
nutrients for nutrition labeling and their established
reference amounts in U.S., Canada, Mexico, and EU. |
Nutrition Analysis Series - Part 8 of 10
Triple-check Your Work
This month’s installment in our 10-part series overviews
Step 8 of the Nutrition Analysis process: the need to
triple-check your work. This series is based on a widely
regarded publication distributed by ESHA Research to
users of Genesis R&D, the industry’s leading nutrition
analysis software.
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While it may be obvious, you’ll need to step
back from the process and take a look at your
results to ensure that they pass the common
sense test. |
View/print
Part 8 of the
series.
If you
missed earlier parts of the series you can view and
download them now. (Get
Part 1,
Part 2,
Part 3,
Part 4,
Part 5,
Part 6 or
Part 7.) The print-ready pages from all parts of the
series will add up to the complete guide.
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Reader Q&A
Find
answers to our readers'
questions or send us
your question for an
upcoming issue.
Q. |
I need to know what is the allowable weight tolerance
for a pre-packaged food product. For example, if we are
declaring a net weight of 5 oz. can we sell products
with a weight lower than 5.0 oz. in the U.S.? What are
the FDA regulations on net weight tolerance?
− N.C.,
Ontario, Food Manufacturer |
A. |
The FDA regulation on Net
Weight is found in 21 CFR 101.105. In this regulation
FDA makes allowance for reasonable variations caused by
loss or gain of moisture during the course of good
distribution practice or by unavoidable deviations in
good manufacturing practice. FDA states that variations
from the stated quantity of contents should not be
unreasonably large.
Read more. |
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What matters in food labeling
Food Label News,
now in its 13th year, is a monthly e-newsletter reaching
over 7,500 subscribers around the world. We
welcome your colleagues to subscribe for news and insights
about food labels:
www.foodlabels.com/subscribe
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Your virtual
food label partner
Food Consulting Company,
founded in 1993, provides nutrition analysis, food labeling,
and regulatory support for more than 1,500 clients worldwide.
Our
guarantee: 100% regulatory compliance.
Contact us
for the help you need now.
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