Nutrition claims must relate to the food as ready for consumption, in accordance with the manufacturer's instructions.
Claim that a Nutrient is Reduced:
Content of the particular nutrient must be at least 30% less than that of a similar food for which no such claim is made. An indication of the characteristic(s) of the food that make it reduced must also be given.
The exception to this is micronutrients, where a 10% reduction justifies such claims. For sodium, the difference must be at least 25%.
A claim that the food is "light" or "lite" has the same requirements as "reduced".
Low Energy:
Energy value must not be more than 170kJ (40kcal) per 100g for solids or 80kJ (20kcal) per 100 ml for liquids. For table-top sweeteners, the limit of 17kJ (4kcal) per portion applies.
Energy Free: The product must not contain more than 17kJ (4kcal) per 100ml. For table-top sweeteners, the limit of 1.7kJ (0.4kcal) applies.
Low Fat:
Total fat content must not exceed 3g per 100g for solids or 1.5g fat per 100ml for liquids. (1.8g fat/100ml for semiskimmed milk).
Fat Free:
Total fat content must not exceed 0.5g per 100g or per 100ml.
"X% Fat Free" claims are prohibited.
Low Saturates:
The sum of saturates and trans fatty acids content of the product must not exceed 1.5g per 100g for solids or 0.75g/100ml for liquids. In either case, the sum of saturates plus trans fatty acids should not make up more than 10% of energy.
Saturates Free:
The sum of saturates and trans fatty acids content of the product must not exceed 0.1g per 100g or 100ml.
Low Sugar:
Total sugars content must not exceed 5g per 100g for solids or 2.5g/100ml for liquids.
Sugar Free:
Total sugars content must not exceed 0.5g per 100g or per 100ml.
No Added Sugar(s):
No mono- or disaccharides or any other food used for its sweetening properties should have been added to the food.
Low Salt/Sodium:
Product must not contain more than 0.12g sodium per 100g or per 100ml.
Very Low Salt/Sodium:
Product must not contain more than 0.04g sodium per 100g or per 100ml. This claim may not be made for mineral waters or any other water.
Salt/Sodium Free:
Sodium content must not exceed 0.005g per 100g or per 100ml.
Source of Fibre:
Fibre content must be at least 3g per 100g or at least 1.5g per 100 kcal.
High Fibre:
Fibre content must be at least 6g per 100g or at least 3g per 100 kcal.
Source of Protein:
At least 12% of the energy value of the food must be provided by protein.
High Protein:
At least 20% of the energy value of the food must be provided by protein.
Source of Named Vitamin/Mineral:
Quantity of the food that can reasonably be expected to be consumed in one day must contain
at least one sixth of the Recommended Daily Allowance (RDA) of the named vitamin/mineral.
If the claim is "fortified with vitamins" or "fortified with minerals", then the quantity of
food that can reasonably be expected to be consumed in one day must contain at least one sixth of the RDA of at least two vitamins/minerals.
The claim may only be made for those vitamins and minerals which are listed in the Food Labelling Regulations. The label must include, for each vitamin/mineral to which the claim relates, the % RDA provided by a quantified serving of the food. In general, RDA's used should be those stated in Food Labelling Regulations. However, for foods intended for babies and young children from 4mths to 3 yrs, values listed in the Processed Cereal-based Foods and Baby Foods for Infants and Young Children Regulations should be used. Both of these sets of RDA's are included in CARAT.
High in Named Vitamin/Mineral:
Quantity of the food that can reasonably be expected to be consumed in one day must contain at least one third of the RDA of the named vitamin/mineral.
If the claim is "rich in vitamins" or "rich in minerals", then the quantity of food that can
reasonably be expected to be consumed in one day must contain at least one third of the RDA of at least two vitamins/minerals.
The claim may only be made for those vitamins and minerals which are listed in the Food Labelling Regulations. The label must include, for each vitamin/mineral to which the claim relates, the % RDA provided by a quantified serving of the food.
Claim that a Nutrient is Increased
The product must fulfil criteria for "source of" claim. Also, the content of the particular nutrient must be at least 30% more than that of a similar food for which no such claim is made. An indication of the characteristic(s) of the food that make it increased must also be given.
This excludes vitamins and minerals.
Comparative Claims
This type of claim may only be made between foods of the same category. Comparison must relate to the same quantity of food.
Beverages
Beverages containing more than 1.2% alcohol by volume can not carry nutrition claims other than those which refer to a reduction in alcohol or energy content.
