A Nutritional Information Panel (NIP) is a section of standardised information printed on the label of food products so that consumers can easily read, interpret and compare the nutritional values of different products together, assisting them to make informed food choices.
The Food Standards Australia New Zealand (FSANZ) Code outlines labelling and information requirements for all foods. FSANZ Standard 1.2.8 details the requirements for nutritional labelling, specifying what information must be included in a NIP and how it should be presented.
NIPs must contain information about seven key nutrient components:
- Protein
- Total Fat
- Saturated Fat
- Carbohydrates
- Energy
- Sugar
- Sodium
Determining nutritional content for your NIP label
There are two approaches to meeting NIP labelling requirements - calculation or laboratory testing.
The Nutrition Panel Calculator (NPC) is a tool that assists food manufacturers in calculating the average nutrient content of their products and preparing a nutrition information panel. It relies on data from published food composition databases and other reliable sources.
The NPC offers a convenient way to estimate nutrient values, however variations in the cultivation and processing of foods can have a material impact on the nutritional values consumers care about. For example, raw ingredients can vary in nutritional content depending on geography, weather, and agricultural practices, and processes like cooking or drying can further alter nutrient values. In addition, although FSANZ strives to keep the NPC as accurate and up to date as possible, periodic updates to its functionality and database may lead to variations in food composition data over time. This can affect the results generated by the NPC for specific foods or ingredients.
Therefore, to ensure accuracy and compliance with the FSANZ Code and overseas regulations for NIP labelling, we recommend laboratory testing. Analytical testing provides data specific to the actual product, capturing variations in sourcing, processing, and seasonal changes that calculators may overlook. AsureQuality offers testing to meet New Zealand and overseas requirements.
How do we ensure all the tests get done the right way that is needed for the NIP?
We use product specifications stored in our laboratory information management system (LIMS) to ensure consistency of testing parameters and service delivered. Specs are a list of tests or a testing programme for a specific product, linked to specific quality, compliance or export requirements. For common sample types we maintain a number of AsureQuality specifications for nutrition information panel testing which are available to all customers via LabConnect. You can read more about AsureQuality Specifications for nutrition information panel testing here.
How are samples prepared for testing?
Sample preparation is a very important step for getting reliable results with good precision. Samples should be held at appropriate temperature during transportation to avoid any compromise to the integrity of the product. You can supply us with your sample in the same format and packaging as it is supplied to the consumer. We will grind samples into a homogenous form, especially if the product is made of mixed ingredients.
How often should I be testing for nutritional information?
Frequency of testing depends on the regulatory requirements of the country the food will be consumed in - see the Australian New Zealand Food Standards Code on the FSANZ website for more information.
However, while small variations between the product in the pack and the NIP label are allowed, we do recommend regular testing to account for variables that can cause the label to become inaccurate. For example, seasonal impacts, or changes to geographic origin of ingredients, supplier or farming inputs can all cause variations in nutrient content.
What if I want to include additional nutritional information on my packaging that isn't part of a standard NIP?
Our laboratory is also able to carry out other tests to support your marketing or health claims, including for vitamins, minerals, dietary fiber, and fatty acids. For products making health claims (e.g. "low fat" or "high protein"), testing ensures that the product meets the criteria outlined in the food code, which is essential for compliance and building consumer trust.
We can also assist with testing for allergens which is an important aspect of compliance beyond the nutrition information panel, as even trace amounts can significantly affect labelling and consumer safety.
Should you wish to include further nutritional claims on your product labeling please contact our team for a quote. We recommend that you request we set up your specific requirements as a customer specification.
Notes about NIP testing
- Moisture and ash testing are also included as these are required to calculate the carbohydrate and energy values. It is not required that these two tests be listed on the product labeling.
- Liquid products, where the reporting units are to be in milliliters instead of grams will also require density testing and total solids instead of moisture.