How do I get the Nutrition Facts for my product? A guide for food manufacturers

November 2, 2025 •

3 min read

According to a 2018 study published via ResearchGate, consumers increasingly rely on nutritional labeling to make informed purchasing decisions. For any food business, knowing how do I get the Nutrition Facts for my product? is a critical question for building consumer trust and ensuring regulatory compliance.

Quick Summary

This guide explains the primary methods for obtaining accurate nutrition information for food products. It compares laboratory testing, database software analysis, and hiring consultants, detailing the process from recipe formulation to generating a compliant label for packaging.

Key Points

FDA Compliance: All packaged foods sold in the U.S. must meet specific FDA regulations for nutrition labeling, unless they qualify for an exemption.
Lab Analysis: The most precise method involves sending product samples to an accredited lab for chemical testing, ideal for complex or high-volume products.
Software Analysis: An affordable, fast, and user-friendly option for many recipes, using food databases to calculate nutrient profiles and format compliant labels.
Consultant Expertise: Hiring a food labeling consultant provides expert guidance, ensuring your label is fully compliant and saving time and stress.
Serving Size Matters: Correctly determining the serving size based on FDA guidelines is a foundational step for all nutrition fact calculations.
Exemptions Have Conditions: While some small businesses are exempt, making any nutrient claim (e.g., 'low-fat') invalidates the exemption and requires a full nutrition label.
The Complete Process: Beyond analysis, you must finalize your recipe, determine serving size, and ensure proper rounding and formatting for the final label.

For food manufacturers, artisans, and small business owners, providing accurate nutrition facts is a legal necessity and a valuable way to build consumer trust. The approach you take to obtain this information depends on factors like product complexity, budget, and time. The primary methods include laboratory analysis, database and software analysis, and hiring a food labeling consultant.

Understanding the Regulatory Landscape

In the United States, the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) sets guidelines for what must appear on a Nutrition Facts panel to ensure consumers receive standardized and reliable information.

Mandatory Nutrients

The FDA mandates the inclusion of specific nutrients on the panel, such as Calories, Total Fat (including Saturated and Trans Fat), Cholesterol, Sodium, Total Carbohydrate (including Dietary Fiber, Total Sugars, and Added Sugars), Protein, Vitamin D, Calcium, Iron, and Potassium.

Exemption Rules

Certain low-volume food products may qualify for exemptions from standard nutrition labeling. However, making any nutrient content or health claims on the packaging invalidates this exemption. Even if exempt, providing nutrition information can still be beneficial for retailers and consumers.

Method 1: Laboratory Analysis

Laboratory testing provides the most precise nutritional data by chemically analyzing a sample of your product in an accredited lab. This method is particularly useful for complex products, those that undergo processes like frying or salting, or when high precision is essential for nutrient content claims. The process involves selecting an accredited lab, submitting samples, receiving a detailed report, and then using that data to format your label.

Method 2: Database and Software Analysis

Using nutrition databases and software is a more cost-effective and faster option for many products, especially those with simpler recipes. This method involves inputting your recipe ingredients and quantities into software that calculates the nutrient profile based on database values. The software then formats and rounds the data according to regulatory requirements, making it easy to generate compliant labels. Software analysis is advantageous for its speed, affordability, and the ability to easily modify recipes and see the impact on nutrient content.

Method 3: Hiring a Food Labeling Consultant

For businesses seeking expert guidance and guaranteed compliance, hiring a food labeling consultant is a valuable option. Consultants are well-versed in regulatory requirements and can manage the entire process, from analysis to label design. They offer assurance of accuracy, help navigate complex regulations, and save businesses time.

Comparison of Nutrition Fact Generation Methods


Feature	Lab Analysis	Software Analysis	Hiring a Consultant
Cost	High ($2,000-$3,000+ per SKU)	Low to Moderate (Subscription/Software Fee)	Moderate to High (Hourly/Project-Based)
Accuracy	Highest (Empirical chemical analysis)	High (Based on reliable databases)	Highest (Expertise combined with methods)
Time	Slow (Weeks to months)	Very Fast (Instantaneous)	Variable (Dependent on consultant schedule)
Best For	Complex products, verifying claims, high-volume production.	Simple to moderately complex recipes, small to medium businesses.	Complex products, regulatory assurance, international compliance.

The Full Process: From Recipe to Label

Regardless of the method chosen, a clear process is essential. Begin by finalizing your recipe and determining the serving size based on FDA guidelines. Select your analysis method and obtain the nutrient data. Subsequently, apply rounding rules and format the data correctly for the Nutrition Facts panel. Finally, create the label design, ensuring it includes all mandatory elements like ingredient lists and allergen declarations.

Conclusion

Obtaining accurate Nutrition Facts is a crucial step for bringing a food product to market, serving both regulatory compliance and consumer trust. The decision between lab analysis, software analysis, or hiring a consultant depends on your product's specifics, budget, and desired level of support. By carefully following the process and ensuring accuracy, businesses can create clear and truthful labels that meet legal requirements and appeal to health-conscious consumers.

Get more help

For more detailed information on US food labeling requirements, refer to the FDA's official food labeling guidance.

Frequently Asked Questions

The most accurate method is to send a sample of your product to an accredited food testing laboratory for chemical analysis. This provides a precise breakdown of nutrients, which is crucial for complex recipes or specific nutrient claims.

Yes, some small businesses may be exempt based on sales volume and employee count. However, this exemption is lost if any nutritional claim is made on the product, and many retailers and consumers still expect the information.

Yes, nutritional analysis software is a common and affordable method for calculating nutrient values based on your recipe and ingredients. It automates the process and ensures compliance with regulatory rounding rules and formats.

Choose lab testing for maximum accuracy, especially for complex or processed foods. Opt for software analysis for speed and affordability with simpler recipes. Consider a consultant if you need expert regulatory assurance for either method.

Hiring a consultant is recommended if you have complex products, make specific health claims, or want guaranteed accuracy and compliance without handling the process yourself. They can save you time and prevent costly labeling errors.

Inaccurate or misleading nutrition labels can lead to costly product recalls and enforcement actions by regulatory bodies like the FDA. This can significantly damage consumer trust and your brand's reputation.

Serving size is the foundation for all other calculations on the nutrition label. An incorrect serving size can misrepresent the product's nutritional profile, making it crucial to base it on official guidelines like the FDA's Reference Amounts Customarily Consumed (RACCs).