The nutrition table
Most prepacked foods require a nutrition declaration, with exemptions including foods listed in Annex V of Regulation (EU) No 1169/2011. The standard declaration covers energy, fat, saturates, carbohydrate, sugars, protein and salt per 100 g or 100 ml.
Per 100 g or 100 ml and per portion
Compare similar products on the same basis: per 100 g or per 100 ml, and as sold or as prepared. Portion information may also be supplied. Check its stated size and how it relates to the amount you eat.
Common label elements (requirements and exemptions vary)
- Product name (nazwa produktu)
- Ingredients (skład) — generally listed by weight at the time of use, with exceptions
- Relevant allergens — emphasized in the ingredients list
- Net weight (masa netto)
- Best before / Use by date (najlepiej spożyć przed / należy spożyć do)
- Special storage conditions or conditions of use, where needed
- Name and address of the responsible food business operator
- Country of origin (for certain products)
- Nutrition declaration (wartość odżywcza), subject to exemptions
Tips for comparing products
- Match units and preparation state before comparing nutrient values.
- Read what the ingredients are; list length alone does not determine processing or nutritional quality.
- Earlier ingredients generally weigh more individually, but the first three need not form a majority.
- Glucose-fructose syrup (syrop glukozowo-fruktozowy) and dextrose (dekstroza) supply sugars. Maltodextrin is not equivalent to 'sugars' in the nutrition declaration.
- The EAN barcode (kod kreskowy) is the product's unique identifier used in our database.