Nutritional values on food labels
Food labels must include a nutritional table that provides information on energy (calories), fat (including saturated fat), carbohydrate (including sugars), protein and salt. This information is usually provided per 100g or 100ml of the product, and per portion if the product is portioned.
What is included in the nutritional table:
- Energy value: Expressed in kilojoules (kJ) and kilocalories (kcal).
- Fat: Including saturated fatty acids.
- Carbohydrates: Including sugars.
- Protein
- Salt
Additional information:
- Nutritional information is mandatory for most food products.
- Manufacturers may also provide information about fiber, vitamin and mineral content.
- Nutritional value can be given per 100g/ml of product and per serving, making it easier to compare different products.
- When choosing products, it is worth paying attention to the amount of saturated fat and salt, excessive consumption of which can be harmful to health.
- Labels may also include information about allergens.
Nutritional values on dietary supplement labels
Dietary supplement labels must include nutritional information, including energy, fat, saturated fat, carbohydrates, sugars, protein, and salt. Additionally, manufacturers may include information about vitamins, minerals, and other substances that affect physiological effects. Although a nutritional table is not mandatory, manufacturers often include one to provide consumers with detailed information about the composition of the product.
What should be on a dietary supplement label:
- Name of the product and information that it is a “dietary supplement”.
- List of ingredients in descending order.
- Amount of ingredients per serving.
- Energy value.
- Macronutrient content:
- Fat
- Saturated fatty acids
- Carbohydrates
- sugars
- Protein
- Salt
- Vitamins and minerals.
- Other substances with a nutritional or physiological effect.
- Expiration date.
- Storage conditions.
- Manufacturer's name and address.
Additional information that may be included:
- Reference Intakes (RIV).
- Additional nutrients: monounsaturated fatty acids, polyunsaturated fatty acids, polyols, starch, fiber.
How to read the label:
- Energy value: given in kilocalories (kcal) or kilojoules (kJ).
- Macronutrients: given in grams (g) per serving or per 100g of product.
- Vitamins and minerals: given in units of measurement (e.g. mg, µg).
Remember:
- Check expiration date and storage conditions.
- Make sure that the supplement has been reported to the Chief Sanitary Inspectorate.
- If in doubt, consult your doctor or pharmacist.
Label Guide: Food vs. Dietary Supplements
Learn what to look for to make more informed choices.
Food Product Label
The main purpose of the label: The purpose is to provide information on the overall nutritional value of a product that forms part of the daily diet.
Nutritional value table: The table is mandatory for most products. Must include basic information such as:
Energy value (kcal/kJ)
Fat (including saturated fatty acids)
Carbohydrates (including sugars)
Protein
Salt
What must be on the label?
Product Name
List of ingredients in descending order
Allergens (must be highlighted)
Nutritional value given per 100g or 100ml of product
expiration date
Manufacturer data
Dietary Supplement Label
The main purpose of the label: The goal is to supplement the diet with specific, concentrated substances (such as vitamins, minerals or plant extracts) that have a specific physiological effect.
Nutritional value table: Table it is not obligatory, but manufacturers often include it. It is crucial to provide the exact content active ingredients in the recommended dose product.
What must be on the label?
Product name and mandatory specification "Dietary Supplement"
List of ingredients and their quantity in recommended portion
Names and amounts of vitamins and minerals
Recommended daily intake
Warnings, e.g. not to exceed the recommended dose
Expiration date and storage conditions
Golden Rules for Reading Labels
The ingredients are key: The higher an ingredient is on the list, the more of it there is in the product.
Compare wisely: To objectively compare two different products, always check the values given on 100g or 100ml, and not just per portion.
Always check the expiration date: This is the basis of your safety.
Be careful with sugar and salt: In food products, try to control their quantity – usually the less, the better for your health.
When in doubt, ask: Especially in the case of dietary supplements, it is worth consulting a doctor or pharmacist and also checking whether the product has been reported to the Chief Sanitary Inspectorate (GIS).
Get to know the guidelines on the tolerance of substance content in dietary supplements in Europe and Poland. Learn what are acceptable differences between declared values and actual vitamin and mineral content to ensure regulatory compliance and consumer safety.
Nutritional values declared on dietary supplement labels must comply with relevant regulations and guidelines to ensure accuracy and safety for consumers. These tolerances define the acceptable differences between declared values and actual nutrient content. As specific tolerance provisions may not be specified elsewhere, the guidance below is based on technical documentation and official guidance published by relevant institutions such as the European Commission. All this is in accordance with applicable law.
Tolerances for the Nutritional Values Declared on the Labels of Dietary Supplements
General Rule of Tolerance
Tolerances define acceptable differences between the nutritional values declared on the label and those established during official controls.
Range of tolerance
Tolerance range means the difference between the upper and lower tolerance levels.
Why Are Tolerances Established?
The actual amount of a nutrient may differ from the value declared on the label. Establishing tolerance limits ensures that label information is accurate in reflecting the nutrient content of the product. Tolerances are also important to assess the correctness of the declared value during official controls.
Measurement Uncertainty
This is a parameter reflecting the precision and accuracy of the measurement, which characterizes the dispersion around the measured value. For example, for some nutrients, it may be 10 mg + / - 10%. The exact value of measurement uncertainty depends on many factors, including the limitations of the measurement instruments used, measurement conditions, and analysis methods.
Declared Values
Declared values should approximate average values from different production batches. The average value is the one that best represents the amount of a nutrient in a given product, taking into account natural raw material variability, seasonal variability, consumption patterns, and other factors.
Compatible throughout the shelf life
The measured value should be within tolerance around the declared value throughout the shelf life of the product.
Security
Safety should be considered when establishing tolerance for vitamins and minerals. Maximum levels should not be exceeded. Safety-based maximum levels for vitamins and minerals should include any tolerance.
Tolerances for Vitamins and Minerals in Dietary Supplements (no claims)
- Vitamins: -20% to +50%
- Minerals: -20% to +45%
Example for Vitamin C
- Declared value: 24 mg
- upper limit: 24,4 mg (24 mg + 50%)
- Lower limit: 19 mg (24 mg – 20%)
- Range of tolerance: from 19 mg to 36,6 mg (rounded to 37 mg)
Tolerances for Health or Nutrition Claims
Case 1A (minimum level established in claim terms of use)
- Declared value: 12 mg
- upper limit: 18 mg (12 mg + 50%)
- Lower limit: 9,6 mg (12 mg – 20%)
Case 1B (maximum level set in claim terms of use)
- Declared value: 28 mg
- upper limit: 29 mg (28 mg + 3%)
- Lower limit: 17 mg (28 mg – 40%)
Source: Food Supplements Europe – Setting of Tolerances for Nutrient Values Declared on a Label
