What is a health claim?
As a food supplier, we at KoRo have to adhere to so-called health & nutrition claims in our product texts and everything you read from us. These are nutrition and health claims about foods that are standardized throughout the EU. What can be described as sugar-free, high in protein or a source of vitamin C is regulated by law. There is the Health & Nutrition Claim Regulation (HCVO), which states exactly how many grams, percentages or milliliters a product may be advertised with a claim.
What are health and nutrition claims?
A health claim refers to health-related information, i.e. statements about the effect of certain ingredients. For example, a permissible health claim for KoRo's vitamin D3 drops would be: "Vitamin D contributes to the normal function of the immune system".
A nutrition claim, on the other hand, describes nutritional information, i.e. everything that revolves around the micro and macronutrients and minerals of food, e.g. " KoRo's soy crispies with cocoa are rich in protein".
The most important nutrition claims in a list:
You can find the most important nutritional values of each KoRo product next to the product description on our website. If you are interested in more information about an individual product, take a look at the product specification. You will find this in the information for each product directly below the nutritional information.
Low in sugar: If the product contains no more than 5 g sugar / 100 g in the case of solid foods or 2.5 g sugar / 100 ml in the case of liquid foods.
Sugar-free: If the product contains no more than 0.5 g sugar / 100 g or 100 ml.
No added sugar: If the product contains no added mono- or disaccharides or any other food used for its sweetening effect. If the food naturally contains sugar, the label should also include the following statement: "NATURALLY CONTAINS SUGAR", e.g. our White Almond Butter.
Source of fiber: If the product contains at least 3 g fiber / 100 g in the case of solid foods or at least 1.5 g fiber / 100 kcal in the case of liquid foods, e.g. our oat cookie with carob powder.
High fiber content: If the product contains at least 6 g fiber / 100 g in the case of solid foods or at least 3 g fiber / 100 kcal in the case of liquid foods, e.g. our pea flips with sea salt.
Low fat: If the product contains less than 3 g fat / 100 g in the case of solid foods or less than 1.5 g fat / 100 ml in the case of liquid foods, e.g. 1.8 g fat / 100 ml in the case of semi-skimmed milk.
Fat-free / without fat: If the product contains no more than 0.5 g fat / 100 g or 100 ml. Claims such as "n % fat-free" are prohibited.
Low energy: If the product contains no more than 40 kcal (170 kJ) / 100 g in the case of solid foods or no more than 20 kcal (80 kJ) / 100 ml in the case of liquid foods.
Energy-reduced: If the calorific value is reduced by at least 30 %. The properties that lead to the reduction in the total calorific value of the food must be specified.
Energy-free: If the product contains no more than 4 kcal (17 kJ) / 100 ml.
Low sodium / low salt: If the product does not contain more than 0.12 g sodium or the equivalent amount of salt / 100 g or 100 ml. For waters other than natural mineral waters falling within the scope of Directive 80/777/EEC, this value must not exceed 2 mg sodium / 100 ml.
Very low sodium / Very low salt: If the product does not contain more than 0.04 g sodium or the equivalent amount of salt / 100 g or 100 ml. This claim may not be used for natural mineral waters and other waters.
Proteins and vitamins
There are two "special cases" that are not so easy to read in a list. When it comes to proteins, a bit of arithmetic is required. What is considered a protein source or protein-rich / high protein content is indicated in so-called calorie percentages.
Protein source: If the protein content accounts for at least 12% of the total calorific value of the food. We have a range of different protein snacks on offer here.
High protein content: If the protein content accounts for at least 20% of the total calorific value of the food, e.g. our Max Protein Bar.
The calculation for the protein content of the total calorific value looks like this:
Calorie percentage = protein in g / 100 g x 4 total calories / 100 g
Using this formula, you can always work out exactly what percentage of the energy content of the food is made up of protein.
Vitamins and minerals
For vitamins and minerals, the amount contained in the food must be significant in order to be able to advertise it.
[Vitamin / mineral] source: If the product contains 15% of the recommended daily intake of the corresponding vitamin or mineral / 100 g or 100 ml (7.5% / 100 ml for beverages).
High [vitamin / mineral] content: If the product contains at least twice the content required for the designation [vitamin / mineral] source.
A short calculation must also be made here. However, you only have to calculate 15% or 7.5% of the recommended daily intake. This is also regulated by law throughout the EU.
Phew! After this info dump and all that calculating, you definitely deserve a snack . How about a crunchy nut mix or a tasty energy ball?