EU nutrition label generator

The energy on an EU label is not measured; it is calculated from the nutrients with the conversion factors of Annex XIV. Each gram per 100 g is multiplied by its factor, and the products are added up, once for kilojoules and once for kilocalories. The generator does this as you type.

The declared carbohydrate includes polyols, so the generator takes polyols out before it applies the 17 kJ factor and counts them at 10 kJ instead. Erythritol is a polyol with a factor of 0. Salatrims and organic acids are rare in retail foods; if your product contains them, enter your own energy value.

The sample values the tool opens with (an oat biscuit, per 100 g) work out like this:

The seven mandatory items

Energy, fat, saturates, carbohydrate, sugars, protein and salt (Article 30(1)), in that order as Annex XV sets it. Energy is given in both kJ and kcal. Only mono-unsaturates, polyunsaturates, polyols, starch, fibre and vitamins and minerals present in significant amounts may be added (Article 30(2)); anything else, such as cholesterol, does not belong in the table.

Per 100 g or per 100 ml first

Values are always expressed per 100 g or per 100 ml (Article 32(2)), as the food is sold, or as prepared when the preparation is described (Article 31(3)). A per-portion column may be added (Article 33) when the portion is quantified on the label and the number of portions in the pack is stated.

Reference intakes

Values may also be shown as a percentage of the reference intakes of Annex XIII Part B: energy 8 400 kJ (2 000 kcal), fat 70 g, saturates 20 g, carbohydrate 260 g, sugars 90 g, protein 50 g and salt 6 g. When they are, the statement "Reference intake of an average adult (8 400 kJ/2 000 kcal)" goes next to them (Article 32(5)). Fibre has no reference intake.

Table, size and wording

The declaration is a table with aligned numbers, or a linear list when space does not allow a table (Article 34(2)). The x-height of the text is at least 1.2 mm, or 0.9 mm on packs whose largest surface is under 80 cm² (Article 13(2) and (3)). Salt means salt equivalent: sodium × 2.5 (Annex I, point 11). The headings in the generator follow the wording of each language version of Annex XV.

Selling online

For food sold at a distance, the mandatory particulars, the nutrition declaration among them, must be available before the purchase is concluded, on the product page or by other clear means, at no extra cost (Article 14(1)). Some foods are exempt from the declaration altogether, such as unprocessed single-ingredient products and food in small quantities that the maker supplies directly to consumers or local shops (Annex V).

This page explains the rules; it is not legal advice. National authorities decide in a specific case.