Nutrition facts label
Under nutrition labeling refers to the indication of the average nutritional value on food packaging. This shall be voluntary in the EU Member States, and thus, for example, in Germany, as a rule; mandatory standardized Labelling according to EC Directive 90/496/EEC is, however, whenever the product contains nutrition claims or advertisement will be done with it. They can be found now on many foods.
Nature and extent of nutrition labeling
Nutrition labeling is yet voluntarily. Only if the manufacturer indicates that the product has particular nutritional properties, then he must also specify which nutrients are included in the product. Nevertheless, " Big Four" stated on many foods called. This refers to the
- Physiological calorific value,
- Protein,
- Carbohydrate and
- Fat content
Of the food, based on 100 g or 100 ml of crude oil or the finished product. The specification is done in this order. In addition to information on
- Sugar (see sugar)
- Saturated fatty acids,
- Fiber and
- Sodium
Done ( "Big Eight "). Furthermore, the vitamin and mineral content can be specified.
In the United States must trans - fatty acids, which arise under other in the fat hardening, are identified separately in some countries ( eg Denmark and California) have banned trans fats in foods. Indications of nutritional labeling are average values and are subject to natural and production variations.
Terms relating to nutrition labeling
In the whole of Europe, including in Germany, nutrition labeling, inter alia, by Regulation EC No 1924/2006 of the European Parliament and of the Council on nutrition and health claims made on foods ( Health Claims Regulation ) is regulated. On 16 May 2006 the European Parliament approved the Health Claims Regulation proposal in second reading. It was published on 30 December 2006 and entered into force on 1 July 2007.
The Regulation strict rules for the use of nutrition claims such as "low fat ", " high fiber " or " reduced sugar". They may only be used if fixed values are met. For instance, a food at least 6 g of fiber per 100 g to advertise with the words " high fiber " may, and less than 0.12 g of sodium per 100 g or 100 ml for the specification " SODIUM / SALT ". A nutrition claim may only be made if the food in question has a certain nutrient profile (eg low levels of fat, salt or sugar). These profiles must by the Commission and the Member States on the basis of an opinion from the European Food Safety Authority remain to be established (EFSA).
In the context of the health claims, the European Commission will compile a list of approved information - for example, " calcium is good for your bones" - that may be used provided that they apply to a particular food. These are collected in a positive list of the EU. Health claims or indications relating to the reduction of disease risk, such as " calcium reduces the risk of osteoporosis ", require a special license. After the EU draft regulation was written for a mandatory food labeling in 2008, the Federal Ministry of Consumer Protection launched a survey to the Traffic light rating, held by the eighty percent of the respondents, the traffic light for clear, informative and understandable. Consumer Minister Horst Seehofer therefore decided then for voluntary nutrition labeling color, followed by a small number of food manufacturers knew some of their products with the Traffic light rating system.
The regulation applies not only to statements, but also for product names, trademarks, images, graphic representations, etc.
In June 2010 the European Parliament with a relatively narrow majority voted against the traffic light and for the GDA system. In addition, other mandatory labeling systems should be banned, even at national level. The government of an EU Member State could not even introduce in addition to the EU standard nationally as traffic light labeling. A final decision is not expected before 2011. Before the regulation is adopted, Parliament and the Council of Ministers, ie the 27 minister in charge of EU states must agree on a label.
Future labeling in the EU
In November 2011, the Food Information Regulation ( LMIV ) was published in the Official Journal and officially adopted. It is from December 2014 to come into force and largely replace the existing labeling requirements. Thus, there will soon be in Europe nutritional labeling, which is mandatory after a transitional period from 2016. In addition to the nutrition label, it is easy to understand give nutritional information on the front of the packaging. Is to be used the GDA labeling, a model that was originally developed by the industry. This model was proposed in 2008 by the German government. Consumer advocates had in a lively discussion favors a simplified model in advance, after which the nutrition information should be used in traffic light colors. Food manufacturers have already begun a few years ago, this system is to establish on many packages, the prominence of calorie compared to the SI unit joule is a breach of Directive 80/181/EEC and corresponding national legislation.
Models of advanced nutrition labeling
Other models of the so-called " enhanced nutrition labeling ' are about the traffic, which was developed by the UK Food Administration Food Standard Agency (FSA), the Swedish Keyholemodell ( keyhole ), which was created several years ago by the Swedish Food Administration, NFA or the " Healthy Choice " logo that have launched three major food manufacturers in the life and in the Netherlands, now under the name " Ik Kies Bewust " ( I consciously choose ) has spread found, but is also seen in Germany on some products. The comparison of these models shows that behind it completely different assessment approaches. So at the traffic light labeling is always 100 g of a product are valued, regardless of what product it is. For the Keyholemodell contrast, other nutrient limits have been established for each product category. Thus, dairy products, for example, according to other criteria rated as breakfast cereals. The " sCALe " marking model is a labeling concept of a health advisory agency and is not yet used on foods.
Criticism
For a change of nutrition labeling on the Guideline Daily Amount (GDA ) to basket 2008 particularly the association worked to foodwatch. After a foodwatch survey in September 2008, 84% of respondents voted for a mandatory traffic light labeling. foodwatch enlisted in his campaign for a simple and understandable information about foods that will facilitate a balanced diet for the consumer and the increasing obesity to counteract the population. In addition foodwatch criticized at the GDA labeling, that she was very cluttered and confusing to the consumer by the nutritional information on different quantities of the product. They explain consumers must be given orientation, especially with regard to sugar, fat and salt content of the food.