Get to know your Food
Knowing the nutritional make up of food is increasingly becoming increasingly important. Consumers are becoming increasingly demanding about food nutrition, particularly considering diet requirements, and it has a great influence on their purchasing decision.
LAbelling requirements
The Food Standards Australia New Zealand Act 1991 (the FSANZ Act) created an agency (FSANZ) responsible for maintaining the Australia New Zealand Food Standards Code (the Code). Standard 1.2.8 – Nutrition Information Requirements, sets out the types of foods which must carry a nutritional information panel, and the information required to be stated on the panel.
health requirements
The nutritional information of a food is paramount for consumers who are looking to make informed choices about their diet. More importantly, accurate nutritional labeling can enhance the appeal of a food product which is a health food - and is targeted at a certain dietary requirements e.g. high protein, low carbohydrates, low fat etc.
Nutritional panel testing
ACS has the capability to perform conclusive nutritional panel testing; information we can be used for labeling.
Our nutritional panel testing is in line with the mandatory food standard code requirements and the information which is required to be stated on food labels. The parameters evaluated on the panel are:
- Energy
- Total Fat
- Saturated Fat
- Protein
- Carbohydrate
- Sugars
- Sodium
Ash and moisture content of food can also be evaluated.
Fibre content
ACS is also able quantify the fiber content of diverse types of food.
Dietary fiber, also called roughage or cellulose, is not digested by the human gastrointestinal system. However, it is a vital component of food which keeps our digestive system healthy. Dietary fiber is classified as soluble or insoluble fiber.
Soluble fiber dissolves in water, whereas insoluble fiber does not. Fiber is important at contributing to satiety, combating constipation and reducing cholesterol.
We have two fiber tests available:
- Quantification of total dietary fiber
- A fiber screen (measuring total, soluble and insoluble fiber)
Other food parameters
ACS also has the capability of testing other parameters of interest on request.
Regulatory bodies such as FSANZ, state and local councils often require extra information about foods – for further verification. Other parameters such as allergens and other impurities, might be information that consumers might want to know.
Our method development capabilities, with our experienced chemists, and cater for specific compound requests if required. We have the ability to navigate various matrices to pull out compounds of interest, giving us strength to cater specific requests.