Overview
If you want to confirm that a product label accurately reflects what is in your product (e.g. nutrient content per serving), laboratory testing can be used to verify this.
This article explains how testing works at a high level and how results relate to label claims.
What You Are Verifying
Nutritional labels typically express values such as:
- Amount per serving
- Amount per 100g or 100mL
Verifying a label claim means confirming that:
The measured amount of a nutrient in the product aligns with what is stated on the label.
How Laboratory Testing Works
Laboratories analyse your product to determine the concentration of specific nutrients or components.
Results are usually reported in standard scientific units such as:
- Mass per unit weight (e.g. mg/kg)
- Mass per 100g or 100mL
These units provide a consistent basis for measurement across different products and methods.
How Results Relate to Your Label
A key step in verifying a label claim is ensuring that:
The laboratory result is expressed in the same format as your label.
Because labels and lab results are often expressed differently, this may require:
- Converting results to a per serving basis, or
- Aligning units (e.g. per 100g vs per serving)
Once aligned, the laboratory result can be directly compared to the label claim.
What Testing Can Confirm
Laboratory testing can:
- Quantify the amount of a specific nutrient or component
- Provide an objective basis for verifying label accuracy
- Support quality assurance and regulatory compliance
Important Considerations
1. Unit Alignment
Laboratory results and label claims may use different units.
These must be aligned before making comparisons.
2. Expression of Components
Some nutrients may be expressed differently depending on context (e.g. total content vs specific forms).
It is important to ensure the measurement aligns with how the label claim is defined.
3. Natural Variation and Tolerances
Results may vary due to:
- Raw material variation
- Manufacturing processes
Acceptable tolerances may apply depending on regulatory requirements.
When to Seek Support
You may need assistance if:
- You are unsure how to interpret or convert results
- Your label uses a different basis than standard lab reporting
- You need to ensure compliance with specific market requirements
A laboratory or technical specialist can help translate results into the context of your label.
Summary
Verifying a nutritional label claim involves:
- Measuring the component in the product through laboratory testing
- Aligning the result with the format used on the label
- Comparing the measured value to the declared claim
This ensures your label accurately represents your product.
Next steps
If you have not tested with us before, please submit a request and our team will guide you through the process.
If you are a regular customer, please include a comment with your sample submission requesting that a serving size calculation be added as a comment on the Certificate of Analysis (COA). Please ensure the serving size to be used is also provided.
If you require support with testing or interpreting results, please submit a request.