Food labels are the most direct way of communication between consumers and food manufacture. The European Union (EU) determines the labelling rules, in order to ensure the comprehensive and reliable information for consumers on packaged products and the appropriate ways to use them.

EU Regulation 1169/2011 establishes the compulsory indication of the "Food Declaration" in packaged foods, determines the content of this declaration and regulates how to indicate on the label the nutritional information, both compulsory and voluntary.

The nutritional declaration must obligatorily contain the energy value (*), proteins, fats & saturated fats, carbohydrates, sugars, and sodium (salt).
It may also include cholesterol, starch, vitamins, trace elements, etc.
(*): The energy value is calculated from the values of carbohydrates, fats, proteins and dietary fibre.

The EU gathers information and considers the future adoption of a mandatory indication (or even restriction rules) of trans fats.

Developments in the area of food and particularly in the field of nutritional labeling impose on food manufacture and mass caterers (restaurants, hospitals, canteens etc) to prepare properly so they can be able to meet requirements until 2014, which shall enter the gradual implementation of the provisions of EU Regulation 1169/2011.

Apart from the legislative requirements, the interest of consumers for a balanced nutrition has led the European food manufacture in a voluntary appliance of a specific information system (GDAs) of the nutritional values. The target is to standartize and improve nutritional labels and offer additional information to the customers.

Guideline Daily Amount is the daily recommended allowance of calories, sugars, fat and sodium for a healthy adult. With GDAs the customer can evaluate the nutritional contribution of each food and his diet.

In Tsakalidis Analysis&Testing offer a wide range of analysis on nutritional items depending on your needs.