Product analysis and nutritional value

In Switzerland, foodstuffs must be labelled in accordance with the Foodstuffs Information Ordinance (FoodIO).

Are you looking for an accredited Swiss contract laboratory for analyses of the nutritional values of your products? We test for you in accordance with current standards using the latest methods. Quick, competent, reliable.

Do you have any questions about the interpretation of the FoodIO or do you require help with the evaluation of the test results? Then take advantage of our experience from more than 50 years of foodstuff analysis.

Why Nutritional Declaration?

The labeling of food is becoming increasingly important in consumer purchasing decisions. The background is often the rising awareness of health-related metrics or ingredients - and the desire to select food according to individual needs.

With EU Regulation 1169/2011, a nutritional declaration in the form of the "Big 7" has been mandatory since December 12, 2016. Since December 13, 2014, voluntary information must already comply with Regulation (EU) 1169/2011. Swiss legislation will implement similar requirements into national law with the next revision. Also to be noted is the change in the order of the nutritional values and the indication of salt instead of sodium.

Who is responsible for the information on foodstuffs?

The manufacturer and the distributor are responsible for the correctness of the nutritional value information. The information must be truthful and must not be intended to deceive. (Ordinance on Foodstuffs and Consumer Products, Lebensmittel- und Gebrauchsgegenständeverordnung). Nowadays, it is common practice to indicate the nutritional value analyses corresponding to EU Regulation 1169/2011, to offer the consumer the maximum amount of information and transparency. Goods that are intended for export in the EU are also subject to the corresponding obligation for labelling.

Important information about nutritional values

In Switzerland, information is generally made available on the energy value, the amount of fats (unsaturated, polyunsaturated and saturated fats), carbohydrates, dietary fibre (fibres), sugar, proteins and salt. Vitamins, minerals and other essential or physiologically useful substances are considered to be nutrients in terms of nutritional labelling for foodstuffs.

Which products already require a declaration of nutritional values?

When a manufacturer indicates that the product has particular nutritional value properties on the packaging or in advertisements, or makes a health claim for the health value of the product in relation to its nutritional values, then the corresponding regulations on labelling must be complied with. In Switzerland, the Ordinance of the Swiss Federal Department of Home Affairs (EDI) from the 23rd of November 2005 applies to special foodstuffs.

These parameters are contained on commonly used foodstuff packaging

Nutritional labelling for foodstuffs “Big 5”

Calorific value
Protein 
Carbohydrates
Fat
Salt 
 

Nutritional labelling for foodstuffs “Big 7”

Calorific value
Fat
- of those, fatty acids
Carbohydrates
- of those, sugar
Protein
Salt
 

Nutritional labelling for foodstuffs “Big 8”

Calorific value
Protein
Carbohydrates
- of those, sugar
Fat
- of those, fatty acids 
Fibre 
Salt 

Our services in detail:

• Consultation on the analysis of foodstuffs
• Proteins and amino acids
• Total fat and fatty acids
• Carbohydrates
• Energy value
• Dietary fibre
• Inulin
• Sugar (Fructose, Glucose, Sucrose, Maltose, Lactose)
• Starch
• Water content
• Ash
• Table salt or sodium
• Vitamins
• Minerals / bulk and trace elements
• Additional services are according to the directory of services or upon request.