Trust the nutrition labels?

Researchers at the New South Wales Food Authority tested five samples of 70 different products purchased from supermarkets over a seven month period.

They compared their nutrition analysis to the individual nutritional components declared on the label.

Out of 2,670 individual analytical results only 183 (7%) were exactly the same as the label.

However, it was found that when a 20% tolerance limit was put in place (up to +20% for compounds with upper limits or as low as -20% for compounds with lower limits), on average 88% conformed.

FSANZ (Food Standards Australia New Zealand) administers the trans-Tasman Food Standards Code. Currently there are no tolerance limits specified by the code and the author has recommended this is reviewed.

Source: Asia Pacific Journal of Clinical Nutrition, December 2006