How to Read and Understand Labels on Nutraceutical and Food Products

Buying a food product or a nutraceutical product can be a little challenging the first time, as there is a lot of information available on the package, but it's unclear what is important and what is not. this happens sometimes. And not just when you enter a pharmacy, this happens while choosing a vitamin supplement, protein powder, energy bar, or even a probiotic drink. Reading the label is important, and food product labels list numerous ingredients about what you are putting in your body. But behind that shiny packaging, beautiful fonts, and complex terms, we tend to miss the important details.

Nutritional supplements have surely taken a place in our side drawer, and they hold equivalent value as a medicine prescribed by a doctor, and we need to be well aware of their impact on our body.

This guide simplifies the process so you can make informed, healthy decisions.

 1. Start with the Supplement Facts or Nutrition Facts Panel

This is the core section of the label. It shows:

· Serving Size: Always check this first. All nutritional values are based on one serving. Products often contain multiple servings per package. Serving sizes can vary according to your body requirements, and the serving size mentioned on the packages is according to regulatory guidelines like FSSAI, FDA, etc.

They are mentioned according to standard labelling and nutritional comparisons, not necessarily what you need. kindly consult a physician before buying.

· Amount Per Serving: This includes calories, macronutrients (carbs, protein, fat), and sometimes vitamins and minerals. These often include ingredients of the product also giving a detailed understanding.

· % Daily Value (%DV): This tells you how much a nutrient contributes to your daily requirement. Daily value can again vary from an individual's perspective.

For example, our product Biloage (you can click on the link for the product)

Includes ingredients, nutritional facts, and no. of serves per pack.

The product has Ginkgo biloba 120 mg + Vitamin E 20 mg, which is the ingredient, nutrition it provides, like energy, protein, carbohydrate, fat, sodium, and more. These are standard guidelines.

2. What is RDA and Why It Matters

On the same packaging, we have an indication named RDA Biloage

Think about how your body needs water and food every day, it also needs nutrients, and when these nutrients are not available naturally with our daily intake, supplements help us. RDA (Recommended Dietary Allowance) is the daily intake level of a nutrient considered sufficient to meet the nutritional requirements of most healthy individuals.

It is:

· Various authorities like ICMR in India, FDA/NIH in the US, and every country have their regulatory boards, set some standards for quality products, and are recommended to follow. These national health authorities help in their derivation of the RDA to be written on the products.

· These requirements vary according to age, gender, and life stages. For example, some products might not be suitable for women during pregnancy or lactation. A doctor’s or registered medical practitioner's advice should be taken before having any supplement.

Understanding %RDA on Labels:

Labels usually show nutrients as a percentage of RDA. This helps you understand if a product meets, exceeds, or falls short of your daily requirement.

· 100% RDA means it meets your daily need for that nutrient.

· Less than 20% means the contribution is low.

· Above 200%? This could be excessive—be cautious, especially with fat-soluble vitamins (A, D, E, K), iron, zinc, or selenium, which may lead to toxicity over time.

Note: For nutraceuticals, exceeding RDA is common (like vitamin C or B-complex supplements), but it should not go beyond the Tolerable Upper Limit (UL) unless prescribed.

3. Review the Ingredient List

In nutraceutical or food products, ingredients are usually listed in descending order by weight. The first few products comprise of majority of products. Ingredients are listed in descending order by weight. The first few items make up the bulk of the product.

Tips:

· Fewer ingredients often mean a cleaner product.

· Watch for artificial flavours, preservatives, added sugars, or hydrogenated oils.

· In nutraceuticals, look for standardized herbal extracts (e.g., “Curcuma longa extract, 95% curcuminoids”).

4. Understand Health Claims

Nutraceutical or food supplements include a variety of ingredients, and the labels have claims like “boosts immunity” or “reduces fatigue,” which are structure-function claims, not disease treatment claims. Look for disclaimers such as:

“These statements have not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration.”

Look out for direct claims and avoid such products.

5. Certifications & Quality Marks

These enhance product trust:

· FSSAI (India), FDA (USA) – Regulatory approval

· GMP Certified – Good manufacturing practices

· ISO, HACCP – Food and safety quality systems

· Halal, Kosher, USDA Organic, Vegan – Based on consumer preference

Understanding product labels empowers you to choose wisely. Nutraceutical and food labels are not just technical; they tell you the story behind what you're consuming. The next time you shop, don’t just trust the front of the label. We believe it is very important to understand what you are consuming or buying for your family, and for more such FSSAI-approved products, you can refer to our wide range of food and nutraceutical supplements.

Allenge India: Vitamins/Nutritional/Anti-Oxidants - Allenge India

Daksh Pharma: Vitamins/Nutritional/Anti-Oxidants Archives - Daksh Pharmaceuticals

Curevee Remedies: Ayurvedic and Herbal range of products

 Herbal & OTC Archives - Curevee Remedies

For more such product information, you can also reach out to us.