Having your "Nutrition Facts" calculated.

The "Nutrition Facts" panel for the food label can use data from two sources. First, there is nutritional analysis in which several lots of food are sampled and analyzed in a laboratory. For certain products, this is the only appropriate method. Another way is to calculate the nutritional content using a nutrient database.

Should I have my product analyzed, or should I use a database calculation?

Calculation of nutritional data from a database is usually the easiest and least expensive. Ingredients are stored in the database along with their nutrient analyses. The computer combines these analyses and produces a Nutrition Facts panel for the product.
Laboratory analysis of products for nutritional data is more expensive and time consuming. It requires that the product be properly sampled according to FDA protocol and analyzed by chemical methods. In some products such as: fried products, salted products or coated products, the amounts of ingredients are difficult to determine and a laboratory analysis would be necessary.

What if my ingredient does not appear in the database?

Sometimes, an ingredient may not appear in the database. In this case, you will need to contact the supplier of the ingredient for a "nutrient analysis per 100 grams." This data would then be entered into the computer. The "Nutrition Facts" panel of the label will not suffice for this purpose.

How do I get the NC State Food Science Department's assistance with a nutrition label?

The NC Cooperative Extension Service in the Department of Food Science will use a database to calculate "Nutrition Facts" information for single products. You will need to complete and submit the following FORM with detailed information on your product. We will need a list of ingredients, with quantities, along with contact information. (Note on Privacy). We will contact you with any questions or clarifications.

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