Q: We understand that Compu-Food is FDA compliant. What is involved in getting FDA certified?
A: Compu-Food Analysis follows FDA compliance regulations in determining the information needed on your food labels. Compu-Food Analysis utilizes approved methodologies to produce nutrition facts labels per FDA mandated regulations. The FDA does not certify companies or manufacturers, it is the responsibility of the manufacturer to assure the product being sold meets all FDA regulations for food labeling.
Q: Are manufacturers required to have nutrition facts labels on all food items to be sold?
A: Since July, 1990, nutrition labels have been mandatory on most but not all food packages. There are a number of situations in which food manufacturers or distributors are exempt from required food nutrition labeling or are given special provisions. If a nutritional claim or statement of nutritional content is provided, these exemptions may be voided. Exemptions include, but are not limited to, food products manufactured by a small business; delicatessen items; bakery items; and foods that do not have significant nutritional value, such as spices.
Q: We anticipate selling our food product through the internet. Are we required to provide a nutrition facts panel for our packaging?
A: Labeling laws are applicable to all forms of retail sale, which includes the internet. All food items sold by mail must be labeled with standard nutrition facts panels.
Q: How is serving size determined?
A: The serving size is calculated from the FDA reference amount table customarily consumed products by product category, e.g.: sauces, snacks, bread, beverages. This calculation is generated using the product type & weight.
Q: Can you explain exactly what nutrition analysis is?
A: These nutrition facts are totaled and factored with your particular processing procedures, enabling us to create an accurate assessment for the resulting nutrition facts of your finished product. This is based on the nutrition facts of each ingredient.
Q: Can the data from the nutritional analysis be transferred directly to the nutritional facts label?
A: We can convert raw data into an FDA approved label which follows FDA regulations and guidelines.
Q: The sample we send you needs to be the full-size bottle, right?
A: Yes, if at all possible. Compu-Food Analysis prefers that the sample be in its retail container so that we can determine the serving size, number of servings per container, and assist in determining the format of the label that’s appropriate for your size and type of container.
Q: How does Compu-Food Analysis analyze your product?
A: Compu-Food Analysis is capable of doing both database analysis and laboratory analysis for our clients, and often performs a combination of the two. Database analysis is derived from the ingredients, the amount of each ingredient, and the process that the ingredients go through. Laboratory analysis is derived from various laboratory tests processes conducted on a product sample. Conducting both kinds of research often results in more accurate, more reliable, and most cost-effective food analysis.
Q: What type of analysis is more accurate, database or laboratory?
A: Both are accurate if done properly, but doing a laboratory analysis on a single product sample may not be as accurate as doing a database analysis on the recipe or formulation of the same product. Every time the product is produced, there are typically slight variations in the ingredients or in the mixing of the product. For example, one sample may contain more salt, or flour, or sugar, in it than another. The differences can be very slight but still affect the outcome of laboratory analysis. When the analysis is completed using the recipe or formulation, it results in a more consistent analysis. For more detail, please consult FDA guidelines.
Q: What is required for us to start the process?
A: The process begins with a manufacturer filling out the Compu-Food Analysis order form and sending it to us via fax or email. When we receive the order form, we review it and send you an quote, generally within 24 to 48 hours. If you choose to go forward with the analysis, you can pay online by credit card, or send a check with your product sample. All orders must be prepaid, and are returned within 48 hours from date of payment assuming the receipt, by Compu-Food Analysis, of all necessary information.
Q: How long does the nutrition analysis take?
A: Currently, Compu-Food Analysis can complete an assignment within 48 hours days from date of payment and receipt of all necessary information for database analysis. Laboratory analysis requires between 10-14 working days.
Q: What are the costs of the process?
A: Please call as pricing is based on the services requested.
Q: Our company is definitely interested in hiring Compu-Food Analysis to provide information for our restaurant menu. However, we offer approximately twenty different menu items and may be interested in obtaining information on all the products. Is there a special plan for situations like this?
A: Compu-Food Analysis has special pricing for restaurants that have over fifteen menu items. Compu-Food Analysis is happy to provide specialized information in these circumstances.
Q: What contact information are we required to put on food packaging labels?
A: All food labels must list the name and full address of the manufacturer, food packer, or food distribution company handling the product. When the name given is not that of the original manufacturer, the label must state qualifying information such as “distributed by ____” or “manufactured for ____.” If the named firm’s address is not listed in a city directory or telephone book then the address must be given in full, including the city or town, state, country (if not in the United States), and zip code (or mailing code for countries outside of the U.S.).
Q: Where does the nutrition facts panel get printed on food packaging?
A: The nutrition facts label must precede the ingredients list and allergy warning, followed by the address of the manufacturer, packager, or distributor.
Q: What do we do if the normal format for the nutrition facts label, which is vertical, does not fit well on our packaging?
A: We will create a nutrition fact panel that best fits your available space.
Q: Are food manufacturers and distributors allowed to print nutrition facts panels in foreign languages?
A: All mandatory label statements are required to be printed in English and in a foreign language if any other material on the package is printed in a foreign language. When nutrition labels will be printed in a language other than English, manufacturers and distributors have their choice of a) presenting the nutrition information using both languages in one label or b) presenting the information in two labels. Numeric values that are the same in both languages do not need to be printed more than once.
Q: Does the FDA approve nutrition facts labels before they are printed?
A: No, the FDA does not engage in an approval process like this. The manufacturer or distributor of a product is responsible for compliance with food labeling regulations.
Q: Do you provide bilingual labeling?
A: Yes. We can provide English/French and English/Spanish.
Q: How do I know that you'll keep my recipes confidential?
A: We provide all our clients with signed confidentiality agreements, which basically states that we have no interest in your recipes other that to complete your analysis and labeling. Please see our confidentiality agreement attached - click here .
