Mandatory nutrition declaration on food labels
Providing nutrition information on food labels, in accordance with Regulation (EU) No 1169/2011 of the European Parliament and of the Council, is mandatory for most food products intended for sale to the final consumer. The aim of this regulation is to ensure consistent presentation of nutritional data across the European Union and to enable consumers to make informed dietary choices.
Average nutritional values – how to determine them
It should be noted that the nutritional values declared on the packaging must be average values, determined on the basis of analytical data, literature sources, or recipe calculations, in line with good practice and considering typical variations in production.
Elements of the mandatory nutrition declaration
The mandatory nutrition information generally applies to food in the form in which it is sold and must include a declaration of:
- energy value
- fat
- saturates
- carbohydrates
- sugars
- protein
- salt
Voluntary information – when can the nutrition table be expanded?
This declaration may voluntarily be supplemented with data on one or more of the following:
- mono-unsaturates
- polyunsaturates
- polyols
- starch
- fiber
- vitamins or minerals present in significant amounts
Rules for presenting vitamins and minerals
If the nutrition declaration includes vitamins or minerals, the percentage of their reference intake values must also be provided, according to Annex XIII, Part A point 1 of Regulation (EU) No 1169/2011. These values must be expressed per 100 g or 100 ml and per portion or consumption unit (if declared).
Expression of nutritional values per 100 g / 100 ml and per portion
The energy value and amounts of nutrients must be expressed per 100 g or 100 ml of the product. Additionally, values may, on a voluntary basis, be provided per portion or consumption unit that is easily recognisable by the consumer, provided that the portion or unit size and the number of portions in the package are clearly indicated on the label.
Format of presenting nutritional information
Nutrition information should be presented in tabular form, with numerical values in columns, in the order specified in Annex XV to Regulation (EU) No 1169/2011. If label space is insufficient, a linear format may be used, but voluntary information cannot be provided at the expense of mandatory information.
Reference Intake (RIV) values – how to use them
On a voluntary basis, nutrition values may also be expressed as a percentage of the Reference Intake (RIV) for adults. RIV percentages may be provided per 100 g/100 ml and/or per portion or consumption unit. A mandatory statement must appear near the RIV values: “Reference intake of an average adult (8 400 kJ/2 000 kcal).”
Front-of-pack nutrition information
Manufacturers may voluntarily repeat part of the mandatory nutrition information on the front of the pack to support consumer understanding. This applies only to energy, saturates, sugars, and salt. It is not permitted to repeat other nutrient information, such as protein content, as part of the front-of-pack nutrition declaration.
Importance of accurate nutrition declarations
Regulation (EU) No 1169/2011 establishes precise requirements for nutrition declarations, ensuring consistency and transparency across the EU market. For manufacturers and entities responsible for labelling, it is both a legal obligation affecting product compliance and an essential element of transparent communication with consumers. Accurate nutrition information enables consumers to make informed food choices.
Most common mistakes in nutrition declarations
Despite the regulation being in force since 2014, incorrectly labelled products can still be found on the market, including errors in data presentation and the use of RI values.
J.S. Hamilton Poland – laboratory services
At J.S. Hamilton Poland, we verify food labelling content, prepare correct nutrition declarations, and support compliance with current legal requirements and regulatory practice. If you have concerns regarding the correct labelling of your products, including nutrition declarations, we invite you to contact us for a nutrition label review.