Calculation and declaration of nutrition information

Within the European Union the provision of nutrition information is only obligatory if nutrition claims are being made or implied for the product and, whether obligatory or not, if information is provided it must be derived in the prescribed manner. In the UK the requirements are set out in the Food Labelling Regulations 1996 (SI 1996 1499). 

The descriptor low calorie is specifically exempted from necessitating nutrition information but reference to the following terms would act as a trigger  

If claims relating to specific nutrients are made (for example no added sugar ) then the following additional data must be given  

If vitamins and/or minerals are claimed they must be declared both quantitatively and as a percentage of the recommended daily allowance specified in the regulations. 

Values must be quoted in the units specified and are to be average values. They may be based on an analysis of the drink or may be calculated from generally established and accepted data, such as Food Labelling Data for Manufacturers (Royal Society of Chemistry/Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food). 

---