1.1 Identify nutritional information that which must be provided on food labels

This guide will help you answer 1.1 Identify nutritional information that which must be provided on food labels.

Food labels are a vital source of information for anyone who eats packaged foods. The labels serve to help people make informed choices about what they eat. In the United Kingdom, there are specific rules about what information must appear on food labels. These rules ensure that information about nutrition is clear, truthful, and easy to compare across different products. This guide covers the required nutritional information on food labels, why it is necessary, what it means, and how it helps consumers.

Why Nutritional Information Is Mandatory

Nutritional labelling is a legal requirement in the UK and across the European Union. The intention is to ensure that people can identify what is in the food they buy and eat. Accurate labelling contributes to public health by supporting better dietary decisions. It helps people with allergies, intolerances, and certain health conditions. It protects against misleading claims and provides consistent, trustworthy information.

Nutritional Information Required

Packaged food sold to consumers must include a standard set of nutritional details. This information usually appears in a chart or box, often called a nutrition declaration. The information provided must follow set rules about what is included, the order in which it is shown, and the specific units used.

Energy Value

Energy value tells us how many calories a food gives us. This is measured in both kilojoules (kJ) and kilocalories (kcal) per 100 grams or per 100 millilitres. Energy (calories) is what fuels our bodies—knowing the amount helps people manage their energy intake to avoid eating too much or too little.

Amount of Fat

Fat content must be displayed on all packaging. This includes:

• Total fat: The sum of all fats in the product.
• Saturated fat: A separate listing for the amount of saturated fat. These fats can raise cholesterol levels, which can increase the risk of heart and circulatory health issues.

Saturated fats are often found in animal products, as well as in some prepared foods. Keeping an eye on these helps people limit their intake when advised by a health professional.

Amount of Carbohydrate

The label must show:

• Total carbohydrate: This number covers all carbohydrates, including sugars and starches.
• Sugars: This is shown as a separate value. The sugars number includes all simple sugars present in the product, both those that occur naturally (like in fruit) and those added during manufacturing.

Why does this matter? Sugars can contribute to tooth decay and weight gain if eaten in large amounts.

Amount of Protein

Protein is shown as a single figure per 100 grams or millilitres. Protein is needed for body repair, muscle growth, and keeping the body’s systems working.

Amount of Salt

Salt must be listed on the label. It is measured as sodium chloride content. Too much salt in the diet can raise blood pressure and increase the risk of heart attacks and strokes.

Salt can come from what is naturally in the food, plus any that has been added during its production.

The Format of Nutritional Information

Food producers must stick to a set format for nutritional labels. The required nutrients are always presented in a specific order. The figures must state the content per 100 grams or 100 millilitres. This allows straightforward comparison between products, regardless of portion size or packaging.

Some products may also give nutrition values per portion, alongside the standard 100-gram values. Portions must be clearly defined by the manufacturer if this is shown.

All the above information is required for most pre-packed foods. There are a few exceptions, such as:

• Unprocessed foods (like whole fruits and vegetables)
• Fresh meat and fish from the counter
• Local or small-scale foods sold directly to the consumer

What ‘Reference Intakes’ Mean

Many food labels include ‘reference intakes.’ A reference intake is a guide for the recommended maximum daily amount of energy and nutrients for an average adult (usually based on a woman because she is likely to require fewer calories).

Reference intakes are usually listed as percentages on the nutrition chart. They show how much of a person’s daily limit a portion of the food represents. This system helps people balance their diet throughout the day.

Usual Reference Intake Values

• Energy: 8,400kJ/2,000kcal
• Total fat: 70g
• Saturates: 20g
• Sugars: 90g
• Salt: 6g

These figures guide adults. Children’s needs will differ.

Optional Information Commonly Shown

Manufacturers can choose to add extra nutritional details. These are optional but commonly included:

• Fibre content: Helpful for people wanting to increase their fibre intake.
• Vitamins and minerals: Only included if the product makes a claim about these or contains a meaningful amount.

If this extra information is on the label, it must follow the same style and units as the required nutrition data.

Allergen Information

Strict rules mean that foods containing any of the 14 major allergens must declare these on the label. These allergens include eggs, milk, soya, nuts, gluten-containing cereals, and others. While this is not strictly part of the nutrition declaration, it is a legal requirement for the safety of people with allergies.

Allergen information is usually highlighted in bold within the ingredients list, or listed separately under ‘contains’.

Labels on Drinks

Drinks must show nutritional information in the same way as solid food. The values are per 100 millilitres. For drinks commonly sold in smaller portions, both 100 millilitre values and per-portion information may appear.

Alcoholic drinks over 1.2% alcohol by volume do not legally require a nutrition declaration. Still, some brands include it to help people compare drinks more easily.

Nutrition Claims and Labelling Rules

If a label claims a food is ‘low fat’, ‘sugar free’, or ‘high protein’, the nutritional information must back up these claims. Strict definitions apply.

For example:

• ‘Low fat’ can only be used if the product contains no more than 3g of fat per 100g (for solids).
• ‘Sugar free’ means less than 0.5g of sugars per 100g or 100ml.

This prevents companies from making misleading claims.

Legislation Governing Nutrition Labelling

The main regulations that specify how nutritional information must be provided in the UK are:

• Food Information to Consumers Regulation (EU) No. 1169/2011, carried over into UK law after Brexit.
• The Food Information Regulations 2014.

Food producers, importers and retailers must obey these rules. Trading Standards officers check compliance, and penalties apply if businesses break the law.

Common Terms Explained

Reading labels can be confusing if you do not understand the terms used. Here are plain-English explanations for some of the most common:

• Per 100g: Shows the number of grams of a nutrient in every 100 grams of a product.
• Energy: The fuel food gives, measured as kilojoules (kJ) and kilocalories (kcal). 1kcal = 4.18kJ.
• Saturates: Short for saturated fat. These are usually solid at room temperature.
• Sugars: Includes both naturally present and added sugars.
• Salt: Total sodium chloride, from any source in a product.

Placement and Visibility

Nutritional information should be on the back or side of the pack. Some products show a summary (such as traffic light labels) on the front. The summary highlights calories, fats, saturates, sugars, and salt at a glance, using coloured codes to show whether the amounts are low, medium, or high.

Good placement and clear presentation help people spot the information they need quickly, especially if they are comparing similar products.

Impact on Health Choices

Food labels give people the facts. People can use these details to:

• Watch calorie intake to manage weight
• Track or limit fat, saturates, sugars or salt
• Increase protein or fibre according to need
• Compare products to find those that better fit their personal or medical needs

For people with diabetes, high blood pressure, or heart conditions, knowing how to read nutritional information is especially helpful.

Mandatory Nutrition Information

Information	Must be shown?	Unit	Where shown
Energy	Yes	kJ and kcal	Per 100g or 100ml
Fat	Yes	g	Per 100g or 100ml
Saturates	Yes	g	Per 100g or 100ml
Carbohydrate	Yes	g	Per 100g or 100ml
Sugars	Yes	g	Per 100g or 100ml
Protein	Yes	g	Per 100g or 100ml
Salt	Yes	g	Per 100g or 100ml

Products Exempt From Full Nutrition Labelling

Some foods do not need a full nutrition label. These often include:

• Small packages where there is no room for a label
• Food that is not pre-packed (sold loose)
• Fresh fruit, vegetables, herbs and water
• Single-ingredient meat or fish sold at the counter
• Tea and coffee

But if the product makes a nutrition or health claim, or if vitamins and minerals are added, a nutrition label becomes compulsory.

Final Thoughts

Food labels are more than just packaging. They are a communication tool between producers and those who eat their food. Making sense of this information can help people shape what and how much they eat.

Nutritional information is legally required to protect, inform, and support healthy choices. Understanding what must appear—and why—gives you confidence in both your own eating habits and when offering support to others. As someone working in nutrition or health, you may need to explain these rules or help people interpret food packaging.

If you encounter any confusion or gaps in food labels, remember that it’s every shopper’s right to contact a manufacturer or retailer for further details. Always encourage people to read labels carefully, watch for nutrition claims, and compare products. Small differences on food labels can add up to significant effects on health when repeated daily.

Keeping up to date with legal requirements around food labelling is part of giving sound advice and guidance. Accurate information on fat, sugar, salt, and energy levels supports better health for individuals, families, and the wider community. Always rely on current, official sources to check rules and requirements, particularly as food law can change.

Good nutrition begins with reliable information. Food labels set the foundation for making simple, everyday decisions about food—starting with what must legally be included on every pack.