Understanding the nutrition label
Nutrition labeling, which can be found on packaging under the term “Nutrition Facts Label”, is an element that must be present on all food products, including drinks - it is a legal obligation.
Only fresh and single-ingredient products, such as fruit, vegetables or meat, are not subject to this requirement.
The nutrition facts label on packaged foods must provide nutritional information for 100 grams or 100 ml of food. It includes details on:
- Calories.
- Salt and/or sodium content.
- Fats, with a sub-total for saturated fats.
- Carbohydrates, with a sub-total for simple sugars and fiber.
- Proteins.
Depending on manufacturers' choices, the labels may optionally include facts such as the amount of vitamins, minerals, trans fats, etc.
At Danone, we choose to provide much more information than the minimum required. Find out why below.
Serving size and servings per container
It is a common observation that individuals do not typically consume yogurt or dessert cream by measuring out 100 grams. Instead, they consume an entire small pot, regardless of whether it contains 80, 100, or 125 grams of product.
While a difference of 20 grams may seem negligible at first glance, when these variations are multiplied by the number of food items consumed daily or weekly, they result in significant differences in energy intake. This can have substantial implications for individuals who are mindful of their dietary intake, whether their goal is to gain, lose, or maintain weight.
To address this, we consistently display nutritional information "per serving" on our products, reflecting the actual and typical consumption patterns. For instance, if our drinking yogurts contain 200 ml, we indicate the nutrient content for these 200 ml. This practice is applied across all our dairies , plant-based, beverage and specialized nutrition products .
For foods sold in large containers, such as skyr or cottage cheese, we indicate the nutritional values per 100 grams AND the number of servings contained in a container. For example, 10 servings of 100 grams for a 1 kg container.
All this information helps consumers to:
- Understand the quantity of nutrients and calories they consume per portion.
- Accurately assess the number of portions per container.
- Manage their daily food intake accordingly, particularly for high-calorie foods.
- Set a healthy diet for them and their family.
Percent daily value: an introduction to nutritional needs
The percent daily value (%DV) on the nutrition facts label indicates how much a specific nutrient in a serving contributes to daily nutrient requirements. The daily value for each nutrient is used for general nutrition advice, based on a 2000 calorie daily intake for adults and children 4 years of age and older.
On our labels, we associate the quantities mentioned in the previous chapter with a percentage of the recommended daily intake. For example, if a pot contains 200kcal, and if we consider the recommended daily energy intake of 2000kcal, we indicate that single serving represents 10% of this intake.
We promote healthy eating through clear and transparent nutrition fact labels
As mentioned above, we go further than the simple legal requirements for food package labeling. In the last few years, we took the decision to give our consumers even more power by providing clearer and more intuitive labeling to help them make even better food choices.
So, in addition to the usual labels, we display information on the front of many of our products, not just on the back. By 2024, 71.5% volumes sold worldwide of Dairy, Plant-based and Aquadrinks products with on pack/online interpretative nutritional information, going beyond the mandatory nutritional information. In order to further improve transparency for consumers, we are also committed to display interpretative nutritional information, guided by scientifically approved nutrient profiling systems, on our products or online whenever possible.
This information translates complex nutritional data into simple, actionable information, enabling consumers to easily understand and use nutritional labeling to make healthy food choices. By 2025, We want more than 95% of the volume sold of dairy and plant-based products, as well as water-based drinks to include clear and easy to understand nutritional information on the packaging or online.
At Danone, we know that consumers increasingly look at food labels to understand and use the nutrition information provided, and transparent nutritional labels can significantly influence healthier food selections. We will continue to lead by example, ensuring our products support nutritious and responsible food choices, reinforcing our commitment to transparency, health, and consumer education.
