What are the nutritional labeling requirements of food?

October 31, 2025 •

3 min read

According to the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO), food labels are one of the most direct and important means of communicating information to consumers. Knowing what are the nutritional labeling requirements of food is essential for both manufacturers, to ensure legal compliance, and consumers, to make informed and healthy choices.

Quick Summary

This guide outlines the mandatory information and presentation rules for nutritional labeling across major global markets, including the US and EU. It details the required nutrients, differences in reporting, and the benefits of accurate labeling for health and transparency. Manufacturers must ensure compliance with specific national regulations to avoid misleading consumers and incurring penalties.

Key Points

Global Benchmarks: International guidelines from Codex Alimentarius, developed by the FAO and WHO, provide a foundation for national food labeling policies.
US Labeling: The FDA mandates prominent display of calories and serving size, along with specific requirements for added sugars, Vitamin D, Potassium, Calcium, and Iron.
EU Labeling: The FIC Regulation requires the "Big 7" nutrients to be declared per 100g or 100ml and mandates prominent allergen information.

Navigating the world of food requires understanding what you consume, and this is made possible through nutritional labeling. The regulations dictating these labels are designed to protect public health and ensure fair trade practices. While there are some internationally recognized guidelines, specific requirements vary significantly by country, with the US and EU having distinct frameworks. For manufacturers, adhering to these rules is non-negotiable; for consumers, knowing how to interpret them is crucial for dietary planning and allergen management.

The Role of International Standards

The Codex Alimentarius Commission, established by the FAO and WHO, offers foundational guidelines for food labeling. These standards, while not always mandatory, influence national regulations and promote harmonization in global food trade. They emphasize clarity and discourage deceptive information, aiming to help consumers make informed food choices.

United States (FDA) Nutritional Labeling

The US FDA updated the Nutrition Facts label in 2016 to reflect current dietary science and improve readability, making calorie and serving size information more prominent.

Key elements required on the US Nutrition Facts label include:

Serving Size and Servings Per Container: Reflects typical consumption.
Mandatory Nutrients: Total Fat (including saturated and trans fat), Cholesterol, Sodium, Total Carbohydrates (with fiber, sugars, and added sugars), Protein, Vitamin D, Calcium, Iron, and Potassium.
Added Sugars: Included to distinguish from naturally occurring sugars.
Daily Values (%DV): Guides consumers based on a 2,000-calorie diet.

European Union (EU) Nutritional Labeling

In the EU, the FIC Regulation (No 1169/2011) governs food information, making nutritional declarations mandatory for most prepackaged foods since December 2016.

The mandatory "Big 7" nutrients on an EU label are:

Energy (kJ and kcal)
Fat (including saturates)
Carbohydrates (including sugars)
Protein
Salt

Nutrient content must be expressed per 100g or 100ml, with optional 'per portion' details. The EU also requires clear labeling of 14 major allergens. Some regions use voluntary color-coded Front-of-Pack (FOP) labels to simplify nutritional information.

Key Differences Between US (FDA) and EU (FIC) Labeling

Comparing the US and EU systems highlights their distinct approaches:


Feature	United States (FDA)	European Union (FIC)
Serving Size	Mandatory, based on typical intake.	Optional, if used must define portions.
Measurement Basis	Primarily per serving.	Mandatory per 100g or 100ml.
Sodium vs. Salt	Lists sodium in milligrams (mg).	Lists salt in grams (g).
Added Sugars	Mandatory separate line.	Included in 'sugars', no separate 'added sugars' required.
Vitamins/Minerals	Mandatory Vitamin D, Calcium, Iron, Potassium.	Optional unless a claim is made and in significant amounts.
Additives	Listed by full common name.	Often listed by "E number".
Front-of-Pack (FOP)	Voluntary, can be less comprehensive.	Voluntary, some use color-coding.

The Importance of Accurate and Comprehensive Labeling

Accurate labeling benefits consumers by enabling informed choices, dietary planning, and allergen management. It also influences purchasing toward healthier foods. For manufacturers, compliance builds trust, enhances brand reputation, and allows market access. Inaccurate labeling can lead to recalls, fines, and reputational damage.

The Future of Nutritional Labeling

Nutritional labeling continues to evolve with consumer demand and technology. Future trends include enhanced transparency, growing interest in sourcing and sustainability, digital integration via QR codes for more details, the demand for simple 'clean' ingredients, and potential for personalized nutrition.

Conclusion

What are the nutritional labeling requirements of food? They are a crucial regulatory system connecting producers and consumers. Guided by international standards and national laws like those in the US and EU, these requirements ensure prepackaged food provides clear nutritional details. From standard tables to allergen information, these rules empower consumers and hold manufacturers accountable. As the industry advances, transparency and technology will be vital in meeting the demands of health-conscious consumers globally.

Frequently Asked Questions

No, not all food products require a nutritional label. Exemptions often apply to certain foods, such as fresh produce, spices, and foods sold by very small businesses.

In the US, labels list sodium content in milligrams (mg), while in the EU, labels list salt content (sodium chloride) in grams (g). Salt contains sodium, but the terms are not identical, and the different measurements can affect nutritional comparisons.

E numbers are a code system used in the European Union to identify common food additives. In the US, the full common name of the additive must be used instead, which can cause compliance issues for exported products.

For accurate comparison, always use the 'per 100g' or 'per 100ml' column on the nutrition information panel. This standardizes the data, making it easier to evaluate the relative healthiness of similar items, regardless of serving size.

In both the US and EU, allergens must be clearly declared on the food label. In the EU, they must be emphasized within the ingredient list through font style or background color.

Yes, health claims are regulated and must be supported by scientific evidence. Regulatory bodies like the FDA review and approve specific health claims to prevent misleading or false advertising.

FOP labeling provides simplified, at-a-glance nutrition information on the front of food packaging to assist with purchasing decisions. It can be mandatory or voluntary depending on the region, with some systems using color-coding (e.g., 'traffic lights').