nutrition facts

Nutrition facts is the standardized information panel found on food packaging that tells consumers exactly what nutrients a product contains per serving or per 100 grams. It typically lists energy value (calories), total fat, saturated fat, carbohydrates, sugars, protein, salt (sodium), and dietary fiber. Depending on the country, additional nutrients like vitamins, minerals, and trans fats may also be required.

For food manufacturers, accurate nutrition facts labeling is a legal requirement in most markets worldwide. The values are determined through laboratory analysis or calculated from ingredient databases and recipe formulations. Proper nutrition labeling helps consumers make informed dietary choices, supports health claims on packaging, and ensures compliance with regulations such as FDA requirements in the US, EU Regulation 1169/2011 in Europe, and similar standards globally. Changes in recipe or processing can affect nutritional content, so labels must be updated whenever the product formulation changes.

Discover more about nutrition facts — including labeling requirements, calculation methods, and regulatory guidelines — in the articles below.