Nutrition Labeling
On the 1st of January 2018, the US. The Food and Drug Administration announced that the date would be the uniform compliance date for any food regulations that are issued in 2015 and 2016. Food industries could also plan for the usage of new labeling materials. The new labels would include Vitamin D and Potassium.
NLEA nutritional label testing is mandatory, and the primary concern to the food manufacturer about this has been the placement of the large quantity of information on the given food labels. The FDA defines and provides for the proper usage of the nutrient content claims. What this does is that it encourages the use of truthful statements while discouraging any misleading information regarding dietary information. This article will look at Certified Laboratories and Eurofins and their work for NLEA nutritional label testing.
Certified Laboratories Methodology Used for Analysis
Here are some of the methods used to analyze by Certified Laboratories.
Fat: AOAC method 922.06 is the usual method. This suggests the usage of specialized modification or different types of extractions.
Protein: AOAC method 920.87
Moisture: General methods are AOAC method 925.09 and 925.10. The time and temperature for during, the usage of vacuum, and other conditions differ for different sample classes.
Ash. AOAC method 923.03.
Total Carbohydrates: Calculation of total carbohydrates is done as the difference between 100% less % protein, less % fat, less % ash, and less % moisture.
Total Dietary Fiber: AOAC method 991.43.
Sugars Profile: AOAC method 996.04.
Cholesterol: AOAC method 954.03/941.09/976.26.
Fatty Acid Profile: Extraction of fatty substances and fat that is followed by AOCS Ce 1f-96/AOAC 996.06
Vitamin A: AOAC 938.04 with HPLC for carotene, and AOAC method 200.13 for retinol,
Vitamin C. AOAC method 2012.22 HPLC
Sodium, Calcium, Iron (+Potassium, as is requested): Nitric Acid digestion that is followed by Atomic Absorption Spectrophotometry.
Official alternative methods that are appropriate and adequate may be used if they are specific to the particular sample type.
Eurofins
Eurofins offers a comprehensive nutritional analysis along with labeling services for any product to simplify the production of which can otherwise be complicated and even an overwhelming process.
Their nutritional labeling packages are available for a good majority of business, including but not limited to:
- Beverages
– Alcoholic
– Non-alcoholic
– Juices
- Cereals/Snacks/Baked Foods
- Confectionery
- Dairy
- Dietary Supplements
- Infant Formula
- Food Additives/Ingredients
- Organic Foods
- Produce
- Seafood
- Spices
Nutrition Facts Panels
Eurofins’ created photo-ready labels in any format that may be required or even mock labels to review the %Daily Values. Their nutrient database can also produce photo-ready facts panels that are compliant with 21 CFR and use the nutritional analysis performed at Eurofins Scientific or even the customer’s product’s recipe. Formats from the mentioned database include supplement, tabular, linear, simplified, and more.
Eurofins also provides data to assist with the label claims of other products, including:
Contaminants (pesticides, antibiotics, BPA)
- Vitamin levels
- Allergens
- Fat and cholesterol levels
- Non-GMO / GMO identification