Nutrition labelling of food

Mandatory declaration of nutritional values

Stating nutritional information on food labels, in accordance with the Regulation on declaration, labeling and advertising of food (“Official Gazette of RS”, no. 19/2017, 16/2018, 17/2020, 118/2020, 17/2022, 23/2022, 30/2022, 61/2024 – other regulation) is mandatory for most food products intended for sale to the final consumer. This Regulation complies with the requirements of Regulation (EU) No 1169/2011 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 25 October 2011 on the provision of food information to consumers, amending Regulations (EC) No 1924/2006 and (EC) No 1925/2006 of the European Parliament and of the Council, and repealing Commission Directive 87/250/EEC, Council Directive 90/496/EEC, Commission Directive 1999/10/EC, Directive 2000/13/EC of the European Parliament and of the Council, Commission Directives 2002/67/EC and 2008/5/EC and Commission Regulation (EC) No 608/2004.

The goal of applying the regulations is to ensure consistent presentation of nutritional data and to enable consumers to make an informed decision when choosing food.

Average nutritional values

The nutritional values declared on packaging shall be average values established through analytical data, scientific literature or recipe calculations, in line with good practice and with consideration of typical production variability.

Components of the mandatory nutrition declaration

Mandatory nutrition information generally refers to the food as placed on market and must include details on:

• energy value

• amount of fat

• saturated fatty acids

• carbohydrates

• sugar

• protein

• salt

Voluntary information – circumstances for extending the nutrition table

The declaration may be optionally expanded to include one or more of the following:

• monounsaturated fatty acids

• polyunsaturated fatty acids

• polyols

• starch

• fiber

• vitamins or minerals present in significant amounts

Rules for presentation of vitamins and minerals

If the nutritional declaration contains vitamins or minerals, the percentage of the reference intake values per 100 g or 100 ml must also be stated according to Annex 12, Part A, point 1 of the Regulation on declaration, labeling and advertising of food. The same is defined by Annex XIII, Part A, point 1 of Regulation (EU) No 1169/2011.

Expression of nutritional values per 100 g / 100 ml and per portion

The energy value and nutrient amounts must be declared per 100 g or 100 ml of the product. The regulations also specify situations in which values may additionally be expressed per portion and/or per consumption unit that is easily identifiable by the consumer, provided that the portion or unit size is stated on the label and the number of portions and/or units is indicated on the packaging.

Format for presentation of nutritional information

Nutrition information should be displayed in a table with numerical values arranged in columns, following the order set out in Annex 14 of the Regulation (Annex XV of Regulation (EU) No. 1169/2011). Where label space is limited, a linear format may be used; however, voluntary information must not replace or reduce mandatory information.

Reference Intake (RIV) values – how to use them

On a voluntary basis, nutritional values ​​may also be expressed as a percentage of the reference intake for adults. Reference intake percentages may be stated per 100 g/100 ml and/or per serving or consumption unit. The mandatory statement must be placed next to the reference intake value:

” Reference intake of an average adult (8 400 kJ/2 000 kcal).”

Nutrition information on the front of the package

Manufacturers may, on a voluntary basis, repeat certain elements of the mandatory nutrition declaration on the front of the packaging for consumer information purposes. This repetition is limited to the energy value or to the energy value, saturated fatty acids, sugars and salt. The repetition of other nutrient information, including protein content, is not permitted within the front-of-pack nutrition declaration.

The importance of accurate nutrition declarations

Regulation on declaration, labeling and advertising of food, as well as Regulation (EU) No 1169/2011 sets out clear requirements for nutrition declarations, ensuring consistency and transparency across the market. For manufacturers and other entities responsible for labeling, this represents both a legal compliance obligation and a key tool for transparent communication with consumers.

Mistakes in nutrition declarations

Incorrectly labeled products can still be found on the market, including errors in data presentation and in the use of reference intake values.

SP Laboratorija – laboratory services related to nutrition labelling

SP Laboratorija offers checking compliance of the declaration with the regulations and regulatory practice; analytical determination of the content of the nutritional values ​​listed on the declaration and issuing a correct declaration of nutritional values ​​is also available.

 If you have any concerns about the correct labeling of your products, including nutrition declarations we invite you to contact us!