Mandatory Nutritional Information

Nutritional information or facts should be given per 100 gm or 100 ml or per serving on the label for the following:

1. Energy value in kcal
2. Amounts of proteins, carbohydrates, total sugar, and fat in gram
3. Amounts and types of fatty acids in gm and cholesterol in mg (when health or nutritional claim is made for these nutrients)
4. Sodium in mg

Not mandatory but required nutritional information

1. When a food product claims to be enriched with nutrients, such as minerals, proteins, vitamins, metals or their compounds, amino acids, or enzymes, their quantities should be given in the metric
2. Every package of edible oil, edible fat, and any package of food in which fats, oils, and fat emulsions are used as an ingredient should declare the quantity of trans fat content and saturated fat content on the

Nutritional Information is not mandatory for the following:

1. Raw agricultural food supplies, like, wheat, rice, cereals, spices, herbs, condiments, table salt, sugar, jaggery.
2. Non-nutritive products, like packaged mineral water, alcoholic beverages, fruits and vegetables, processed or pre-packaged assorted vegetables, fruits, vegetables, and products that carry only a single ingredient, pickles, and papad.
3. Foods served for immediate consumption such as served in hospitals, hotels or by food vendors or always, or food shipped in bulk which is not for sale in that form to consumers.

• The number of nutrients mentioned on the label should be in order with established practices such as shelf life, storage, and nature of food.
• A health claim of ‘trans-fat-free’ can be made only when trans fat is less than gm per serving of food and the claim ‘saturated fat-free’ can be made when saturated fat does not exceed 0.1 gm per 100 gm or 100 ml of food.
• Health claim means relating to a positive contribution to health or improvement of function or to modifying or preserving health or reducing the risk of disease.
• Nutritional claim means any representation which states that a food has particular nutritional properties which are not limited to only energy value but also include proteins, fats, minerals, and vitamins.

DECLARATIONS REQUIRED

• Every package of fruit squash should have the following label: ‘IT CONTAINS ADDITIONAL SODIUM/POTASSIUM/SALT’
• Every package of food having added caffeine should have the following label: ‘CONTAINS CAFFEINE’
• Every package of pan masala should have the following label: ‘Chewing of Pan Masala is injurious to health’
• Fat spread, milk products, milk-based fruit drink, fermented milk products, soy and rice drinks, cheese products, yogurt products, spice sauces, salad dressings, juices and nectars, edible oils, and bakery products containing plant sterol must contain the following declarations:

1. Contains Plant Sterol (as Phytosterols) —g/100g or
2. Patients on cholesterol-lowering medication should use the product under medical supervision
3. It May is not nutritionally appropriate for pregnant and lactating women and children under the age of five
4. CONSUMPTION OF MORE THAN 3g/DAY, TOTAL OF STEROL, STANOLS, OR COMBINATION THEREOF, SHOULD BE AVOIDED”

• Every package of flakes and ready to eat dry breakfast cereals, noodles, pasta, salad dressings or toppings and spreads; tabletop fiber as filler or carrier, cereals and other snack food or savories and bakery products including biscuits, cookies, bread, cake mix, and pastries and other products where dextrin is allowed should have the following declaration on the label:
• ‘Contains Dietary Fibre (Dextrin)——– (Source of Soluble Dietary Fibre)’
• Products claiming ‘low gluten’ should have the following declaration: ‘May pose a risk for those with celiac disease.