Food labels are the main instruments when you’re trying to stay healthy: they tell us what we’re going to eat and can guide our nutritional choices. But it’s also true that labels are often thorny, confused and obtuse. So, let’s to see how to understand them and the main differences between EU and US nutrition labels.
The US nutrition labels
In the US, the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) is responsible for labeling: FDA decided what must be included on a packaged product’s label and what cannot be included. According to standard laws, the FDA requires on the labels:
- The name of food
- The amount of product
- The name and address of the manufacturer, packer or distributor
- The ingredients (listed in descending order)
- The presence of any of the following eight common allergens: milk, egg, fish, shellfish, tree nuts, wheat, peanuts and soybeans.
Then, there are the nutritional informations, which must include:
- Serving size
- Calories per serving size
- Calories from fat as well as the percentage of daily recommended values for fat based on a 2,000 calorie diet
- Protein, vitamin and mineral content, expressed in terms of their percentage of daily recommended values
Last year, the FDA announced a big decision: a list of major proposed changes to nutrition labels, including the font for calorie counts and a separate line for added sugars to reflect the latest scientific research about nutrition and the link between what Americans eat and the chronic diseases. It could be a great change for the transparency of food and the health of people if the FDA established a recommended daily value for sugar, but it is still unclear when labels will be updated.
The EU nutrition labels
While labels in the US have been regulated since the early 1990s, the same level of uniformity was only recently introduced in EU. Last December, the EU passed a comprehensive provision on the required content and presentation of nutrition labels, which will become mandatory in December 2016, but technically in the EU the nutrition labels are still voluntary. The provision includes minimum font size for mandatory information, a standard presentation of allergens and required nutritional information such as energy – fat- carbohydrate, sugars, protein and salt.
Key differences between US and EU nutrition labels
- In the US nutritional labels must indicate the number of servings per container, while in the EU all calorie are based on 100g or 100ml of product.
- The EU will not require the indication of the number of servings
- The US lists sodium content (measured in milligrams) on nutrition labels, while the EU lists salt content (measured in grams). It seems similar, but it is not: salt is a mineral composed primarily of sodium chloride, while sodium is a term that includes salt but can also be found in additional ingredients, such as baking soda.
- The EU requires specific information on the vegetable origin of refined oils and fats (olive oil and palm oil) which is not the case in the US.
- Maybe additives are the biggest difference: In the EU, common food additives are assigned an identifying three- or four-digit code, known as an E number. In US additive must be declared with their entire name, such as Sodium caseinate. That’s a big problem for export, because the FDA stops all products that used on the labels the E number instead of the entire name of ingredients.
This discrepancy frequently make problems not only to consumers , but also to EU companies that want to export packaged food to the US and see their product (even perfectly safe) refused by the FDA.
Saurce:Differences between EU and US nutrition labels go far beyond ounces and grams
FAQs
In the US nutritional labels must indicate the number of servings per container, while in the EU all calorie are based on 100g or 100ml of product. The US lists sodium content (measured in milligrams) on nutrition labels, while the EU lists salt content (measured in grams).
What is the difference between American and European nutrition labels? ›
EU labels tend to use a much smaller font; lines are spaced more closely; and there is no requirement for bold text. EU labels are not required to list as much information about nutrients in a product as compared to US food labels. Plus, they often omit such items as saturated fat, fiber, and sugar.
What is the difference between US and EU food standards? ›
How Do US and European Food Standards Differ? The US and Europe differ in two key areas. One is that specific food ingredient standards, particularly those surrounding possible allergens, preservatives and additives, are tested and analyzed differently. The second is that there's a notable departure in food labeling.
What are the requirements for nutrition labeling in the EU? ›
EU Standard Nutrition Facts Label
European Union regulations require that you declare energy, protein, fat, saturated fat, carbohydrates, sugars, and salt. Voluntary nutrients may be shown if they are present in significant amounts. The regulations allow several variations in the labeling format.
How accurate are nutrition labels USA? ›
The FDA allows up to 20% difference between what's on the nutrition label and what's accurate. Yes, you read that correctly. The nutrition labels are not required to be accurate. And the rules change based on the type of nutrients.
What is the difference between American and European measurements? ›
The only difference between the imperial system and the U.S. system is in volume measurements. Not only are the number of ounces in pints, quarts, and gallons all larger in the imperial system, the size of one fluid ounce is also different, as shown in the table in Table 7.
What's the difference between GMO definition of U.S. and EU? ›
The biggest difference between the US and EU regulations concerns genetic modifications. The EU approaches GMOs from a process point of view: if modern biotechnology i.e. gene technology is used to produce a desired trait in an organism, the organism is called a GMO.
What does "not for EU" mean on food labels? ›
Under NIRMS , some food products require individual product labels with the words 'Not for EU '. These requirements will be introduced in 3 phases from October 2023 to July 2025. This includes products imported into Great Britain from the EU and products from the rest of the world that can move under NIRMS .
What are EU labelling guidelines? ›
Food labelling rules
If you sell food or beverages in the EU, you must provide essential information so that the end consumer can make an informed decision on their purchase. The information required must be: accurate. easy to see and understand.
Does Europe require GMO labeling? ›
Food containing GMOs should be labelled…
This is European legislation, and is common to all Member States. There is however a certain tolerance included in this regulation : in the case of “adventitious or technically unavoidable” presence of below 0.9% per ingredient, it is not compulsory to label the product.
Nutrition.gov is powered by USDA Science and offers credible information to help you make healthful eating choices.
Does the FDA verify nutrition labels? ›
Manufacturer's Responsibility
FDA's continuing policy since the 1970s assigns the manufacturer the responsibility for assuring the validity of a product label's stated nutrient values.
Why did the FDA change the nutrition label? ›
The Nutrition Facts label on packaged foods was updated in 2016 to reflect updated scientific information, including information about the link between diet and chronic diseases, such as obesity and heart disease. The updated label makes it easier for consumers to make better informed food choices.
What is the difference between the European and the American model of review? ›
Typically, such constitutional courts review legislation in the abstract, with no connection to an actual controversy. This is in contrast to the “American” model, whereby all courts have the authority to adjudicate consti- tutional issues in the course of deciding legal cases and controversies.
What is the difference between American style and European style eating? ›
You hold the fork in your left hand and cut with the knife in your right. The knife does not leave the right hand, meaning all the pauses required by switching hands in the American dining style do not exist in European dining. In Europe, the fork is typically faced down, and you curve it up to your mouth.
Does Europe label GMO foods? ›
Food containing GMOs should be labelled…
This is European legislation, and is common to all Member States. There is however a certain tolerance included in this regulation : in the case of “adventitious or technically unavoidable” presence of below 0.9% per ingredient, it is not compulsory to label the product.
How does the American diet differ from other countries? ›
- American Diet: Portion sizes in the U.S. are generally larger. Restaurants often serve oversized meals, and the culture of "more is better" is prevalent. - European Diet: European portion sizes are typically smaller. Meals emphasize quality over quantity, and there's a focus on savoring each bite.
