Nutritional labelling on beverages

Introduction

Beverage labels, like most packaged food items, are required to have a Nutrition Facts label. This label provides important information about the nutritional content of the beverage, allowing you to make informed choices about what you consume.

https://www.eurofins.vn/en/news/knowledge-of-testing-industry/how-to-read-and-use-the-nutrition-facts-labels/

The Nutrition Facts label on beverages typically includes the following information:

Additional Label Elements

 Ingredient List: Provides a comprehensive list of all ingredients used in the beverage, listed in descending order by weight.

Allergen Information: Indicates the presence of common allergens such as milk, soy, nuts, and gluten.

Claims and Certifications: May include claims like "low sugar," "high in vitamin C," or certifications such as organic or non-GMO, which can influence consumer choices.

Importance of Accurate Nutrition Labelling

Accurate and clear nutrition labelling is vital for several reasons:

• Health Management: Helps individuals manage specific health conditions such as diabetes, hypertension, and obesity.
• Dietary Preferences: Supports consumers in adhering to dietary preferences or restrictions, including vegetarian, vegan, or allergen-free diets.
• Informed Choices: Empowers consumers to make choices that align with their nutritional needs and health goals.
• Regulatory Compliance: Ensures that beverage manufacturers comply with national and international food labeling regulations.

Standards and Regulations  

US: Food and Drug Administration (FDA) enforces federal regulations on food labelling in the US. You can find details on the FDA website https://www.accessdata.fda.gov/scripts/cdrh/cfdocs/cfcfr/cfrsearch.cfm. Search for "21 CFR Part 101" which covers food labelling regulations.

EU: European Union (EU) has its own food labelling regulations. The European Commission website provides details https://eur-lex.europa.eu/eli/reg/2011/1169/oj. Look for Regulation (EU) No 1169/2011 for specific requirements.

FSSAI regulations for beverage labelling in India:

General Requirements:

• Label information must be clear, unambiguous, and prominently displayed in English or Hindi.
• The label must be securely attached to the container.

Nutritional Information:

Nutritional information must be declared per 100ml, per gram, or per serving size.

The label needs to show the following details:

• Energy value (kcal)
• Macronutrients:
• Protein (g)
• Carbohydrates (g) with a breakdown of total sugars (g) and added sugars (g)
• Total fat (g), saturated fat (g), and trans fat (g) (if fat content exceeds 0.5%)
• Cholesterol (mg) (optional)
• Additionally, the label should include the percentage contribution of these nutrients to the Recommended Dietary Allowance (RDA) for an average adult (2000 kcal energy intake) .

https://fssai.gov.in/upload/uploadfiles/files/Comp_Labelling.pdf

Recent Trends and Changes in nutrition labelling

Front-of-Package Labels: Increasingly, beverages are featuring front-of-package labels to provide quick and easy access to key nutritional information.

Digital and QR Code Labels: Some brands are incorporating digital labels and QR codes that consumers can scan to access detailed nutritional information and additional resources online.

Focus on Natural Ingredients: There is a growing trend towards highlighting natural ingredients and reducing artificial additives in beverages, reflecting consumer demand for healthier options.

Eurofins role in nutritional analysis and labelling of beverages.

Eurofins is a global leader in food, environment, and pharmaceutical product testing. Its role in nutritional analysis and labelling of beverages involves providing comprehensive testing services to ensure that beverages meet regulatory standards and are accurately labelled for consumer safety and information. Here are the key aspects of Eurofins' involvement in this area:

Key Roles of Eurofins in Nutritional Analysis and Labelling

Nutritional Analysis:

• Macro and Micronutrient Testing: Eurofins conducts detailed analyses of beverages to measure macronutrients (such as fats, proteins, and carbohydrates) and micronutrients (such as vitamins and minerals).
• Caloric Content: They determine the caloric value of beverages, which is crucial for accurate labelling and consumer information.
• Sugar Content: Analysis of total sugars, including added sugars, which is important for health-conscious consumers and regulatory compliance.

Ingredient Verification:

• Identification and Quantification: Ensures that the ingredients listed on the label are present in the specified amounts and verifies the absence of undeclared substances.
• Purity and Quality: Tests for purity and quality of ingredients to maintain product integrity and consumer trust.

Allergen Testing:

• Detection of Allergens: Eurofins uses advanced methodologies to detect common allergens (like nuts, soy, gluten) in beverages, ensuring accurate allergen labeling and preventing cross-contamination.

Contaminant Testing:

• Pesticides and Heavy Metals: Analyses for the presence of contaminants such as pesticides, heavy metals, and other harmful substances to ensure the safety of beverages.
• Microbiological Testing: Checks for microbial contaminants like bacteria, yeast, and Mold, which can affect the safety and shelf-life of beverages.

Regulatory Compliance:

• Label Compliance: Ensures that beverage labels comply with national and international regulations, such as those set by the FDA (USA), EFSA (EU), and other regulatory bodies.
• Nutritional Claims Verification: Validates health and nutritional claims made on beverage labels (e.g., “low sugar,” “high in vitamin C”) to ensure they are scientifically substantiated.

Innovative Testing Solutions:

• Advanced Analytical Techniques: Employs cutting-edge technologies and methodologies for accurate and reliable results, such as mass spectrometry and chromatography.
• Customized Testing Services: Offers tailored testing solutions to meet specific client needs, including new product development and reformulation.

References

1. https://eur-lex.europa.eu/eli/reg/2011/1169/oj. https://fssai.gov.in/upload/uploadfiles/files/Comp_Labelling.pdf
2. https://www.accessdata.fda.gov/scripts/cdrh/cfdocs/cfcfr/cfrsearch.cfm.

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