Decoding the Label: What is mandatory nutrition information?

November 1, 2025 •

5 min read

Studies show that consumers who regularly use nutrition labels are more likely to make healthier food choices. This mandatory nutrition information provides essential data, empowering you to understand and manage your daily intake of various nutrients and make informed purchasing decisions.

Quick Summary

Mandatory nutrition labels display key data like serving size, calories, and nutrient amounts for fats, sugars, and sodium. Regulations from agencies like the FDA and EU standardize these panels to promote transparency and empower consumers to make healthier choices.

Key Points

Consumer Education: Mandatory nutrition information serves to educate consumers about the contents of packaged foods and enables informed decision-making.
Regulatory Variation: Specific labeling requirements, format, and content differ significantly between regions, such as the US (FDA) and the EU (FIC Regulation).
US Label Features: The updated US label prominently features calories, distinguishes between total and added sugars, and mandates listings for Vitamin D and Potassium.
EU Label Features: The EU's Nutrition Declaration focuses on the 'Big 7' nutrients (energy, fat, saturates, carbohydrates, sugars, protein, and salt) and uses a standardized 'per 100g/ml' format for easy comparison.
Exemptions Exist: Certain foods, including raw produce, spices, and items from small businesses, may be exempt from mandatory labeling.
Understanding Labels: Consumers can use the label by paying attention to serving size, calories, and key nutrients like fats, sodium, and sugars, as well as the % Daily Value.

The Purpose of Mandatory Nutrition Information

The primary purpose of mandatory nutrition information is to provide consumers with transparent and standardized data about the nutritional content of pre-packaged foods. Historically, the absence of standardized labeling led to consumer confusion and could obscure the true nutritional value of products. Regulatory bodies worldwide, such as the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) and the European Union (EU), have established strict guidelines to ensure food manufacturers provide consistent and easily understandable information. This allows consumers to compare products, manage specific dietary needs, and identify health-related aspects of the food they purchase.

The information on these labels is not just for dieters; it is a critical tool for public health. By clearly indicating the levels of key nutrients, particularly those associated with health risks when over-consumed, mandatory labeling encourages better eating habits. For instance, labeling requirements for trans fats and added sugars help consumers identify and limit their intake of these components, which are linked to cardiovascular disease and other health issues.

Key Differences in Regulations: FDA vs. EU

While the goal of mandatory nutrition information is similar globally, the specific requirements and presentation formats differ based on regional regulations. The FDA in the U.S. and the EU's Food Information to Consumers (FIC) regulation are two prominent examples. The differences affect what is required, how it is displayed, and even how serving sizes are defined.

The US Nutrition Facts Panel

The U.S. Nutrition Facts panel underwent a significant redesign in 2016 to reflect modern scientific understanding of nutrition and address public health concerns. This update became mandatory for most manufacturers in 2021. The panel’s layout emphasizes key information like calorie counts with larger, bolder font.

Mandatory information on the U.S. label includes:

Serving Size and Servings Per Container
Calories
Total Fat (including Saturated and Trans Fat)
Cholesterol
Sodium
Total Carbohydrates (including Fiber and Total Sugars)
Added Sugars (a new, separate line item)
Protein
Vitamin D and Potassium (mandatory, replacing Vitamins A and C)
Calcium
Iron

The 2016 update also changed how serving sizes are determined, making them more realistic based on current consumption patterns.

The EU Nutrition Declaration

The EU’s FIC Regulation (Regulation No 1169/2011) mandates nutrition labeling for most pre-packaged foods. The European panel, often called the “Nutrition Declaration,” requires a specific set of nutrients, known as the “Big 7,” to be displayed.

Mandatory EU information includes:

Energy value (in both kJ and kcal)
Fat
Saturates (saturated fat)
Carbohydrate
Sugars
Protein
Salt

Unlike the U.S., which focuses on serving sizes, the EU primarily mandates that information be provided per 100g or 100ml, which allows for easier product-to-product comparison. Additional nutrients like fiber or monounsaturates can be added voluntarily.

Comparison of US and EU Mandatory Labels


Feature	US (FDA)	EU (FIC Regulation)
Serving Size	Mandatory, based on typical consumption.	Optional, information usually presented per 100g/ml.
Key Nutrients	Calories, Fat (Sat/Trans), Cholesterol, Sodium, Carbs (Fiber/Total Sugars/Added Sugars), Protein, Vitamin D, Calcium, Iron, Potassium.	Energy, Fat, Saturates, Carbohydrate, Sugars, Protein, Salt.
Added Sugars	Explicitly listed on a separate line.	Included within the total 'sugars' figure, but not broken down separately.
Vitamins/Minerals	Vitamin D, Calcium, Iron, Potassium required.	Only required if a nutrition claim is made about them.
Energy Units	Calories (kcal).	Kilojoules (kJ) and Kilocalories (kcal).

How to Read and Use Mandatory Nutrition Information

To make effective use of the information on food labels, consumers should focus on a few key areas:

Serving Size: Pay close attention to the serving size and servings per container. The values listed are for a single serving. If you eat the entire package, you need to multiply the figures accordingly.
% Daily Value (%DV): The %DV helps put the nutrient content into context for your daily diet. A general guideline is to aim for 5% DV or less for nutrients you want to limit (e.g., saturated fat, sodium) and 20% DV or more for nutrients you want to increase (e.g., fiber, calcium).
Nutrient Focus: Prioritize your attention on the nutrients most relevant to your health goals. For example, if you are monitoring blood pressure, focus on the sodium content. If you are managing blood sugar, look closely at total and added sugars.

Exemptions from Labeling

Not all food products are required to carry a nutrition label. Common exemptions include:

Raw, unprocessed foods: Fresh fruits, vegetables, raw seafood, and single-ingredient raw meats typically do not have labels.
Small packages: Very small items or those with limited surface area may be exempt.
Foods prepared on-site: Items made and sold at a bakery, deli, or food service location are usually exempt.
Small businesses: In some regions, small businesses below a certain threshold of sales or employees may be exempt.
Certain products: Items with insignificant nutritional value, such as spices, tea, and coffee, are often exempt.

Conclusion: The Power of Informed Choices

Understanding what is mandatory nutrition information is a vital skill for anyone interested in making healthier dietary choices. While regional regulations vary, the core purpose remains consistent: to provide transparent, standardized data to empower consumers. By knowing how to read and interpret the Nutrition Facts panel (US) or Nutrition Declaration (EU), you can better control your intake of calories, fats, sugars, and sodium, and ensure you are getting enough essential vitamins and minerals. These labels serve as a powerful educational tool, promoting public health by encouraging conscious and informed decisions at the grocery store.

Glossary: Essential Terms

Daily Value (DV): A reference amount of a nutrient to consume or not to exceed each day.
Added Sugars: Sugars added during processing, not naturally present in the food.
Saturated Fat: A type of fat that is typically solid at room temperature and is linked to elevated LDL cholesterol.
Sodium: A mineral component of salt, high levels of which are associated with high blood pressure.
Trans Fat: An unhealthy type of fat created through hydrogenation, required to be listed on US labels since 2006.

For more detailed information on nutrition labels, you can visit the official FDA: How to Understand and Use the Nutrition Facts Label website.

Frequently Asked Questions

Exemptions exist for certain items like raw fruits and vegetables, fresh meat, small businesses, and foods prepared on-site, as they are not subject to the same pre-packaged food regulations.

Added sugars are sweeteners, like sucrose and high-fructose corn syrup, added during processing. The FDA requires them to be listed to help consumers limit intake, reflecting updated scientific information on their impact on health.

To compare two products fairly, use the 'per 100g' or 'per 100ml' column found on EU labels. For US labels, you must account for differences in serving sizes or calculate nutrient values based on the same weight.

The % Daily Value indicates how much a single serving of the food contributes to a person's total daily dietary needs, based on a 2,000-calorie diet used for general nutrition advice.

Not necessarily. Manufacturers can base nutrient values on their own analysis, calculations from known ingredient data, or generally accepted data, though accuracy is required.

Many countries mandate allergen disclosure to protect consumers with allergies or intolerances from unintentionally consuming harmful ingredients. Key allergens must be emphasized in the ingredient list.

In most regions, FOP labeling is voluntary, but rules often apply if used. The EU is exploring harmonized mandatory FOP labels to provide at-a-glance information for consumers.

The 'Big 7' are the mandatory nutrients required on an EU nutrition declaration, and include energy value, fat, saturates, carbohydrates, sugars, protein, and salt.