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How can the Nutrition Label benefit me as a company?

Having a Nutrition Label will show consumers that you are committed to developing healthier and higher quality products. With the help of your Nutrition Label, you can expect to increase consumer awareness about your product’s nutritional benefits and therefore, guide them to make healthier food choices.

 

What do I get when I apply for the Monde Selection Nutrition Claims Certification?

Whether the application is successful or not, you will get:

  • A Certification Report
  • The laboratory analysis report.

If all the conditions set out in the Monde Selection Requirements for a Nutrition Claims Certification are met, the applied nutrition claim(s) will be approved. You will then also receive:

  • A Certificate of Compliance
  • The corresponding Nutrition Labels
  • Our Brand Communication & Identity Guidelines.

If your application is rejected, please note that you still have the opportunity to re-apply within a year after you have adapted your product according to the comments made by the Certification Body. This new application will be exempted from additional fees in the case of limited labelling changes, whereas a fee of 60% of the base price will be required for further laboratory analyses if any change has been made in the product formulation.

What is the difference between a Nutrition Claim Certification and a Quality Award from Monde Selection?

Quality Awards certify the quality of consumer products through a 360° evaluation process undertaken by a Jury of experts. This evaluation includes a sensory evaluation as well as scientific and legal analyses. Products are granted a quality award based on the final result obtained during the evaluation: Bronze, Silver, Gold or Grand Gold.

The Monde Selection Nutrition Claims Certification is unrelated to the quality evaluation. This fact-based approach specifically focuses on the nutritional composition and related food and beverage claims. The certification guarantees that an objective evaluation has been conducted by a trusted third party through laboratory analysis and that the product labelling information satisfies national and international regulations and standards on nutrition claims.

In this respect, any company may either opt for Nutrition Claims Certification only, or for a Nutrition Claims Certification and Quality Evaluation. In the latter case, the submitted product must be eligible for one of the following categories: Beers, Waters & Soft Drinks, Food Products, Diet & Health Products.

What does the evaluation report consist of?

The Certification Report outlines all the elements that have been reviewed and assessed by the Certification Body according to defined criteria.
This document recaps the certification procedure, presents official results obtained at the end of the procedure (including a reminder of the laboratory test results) and provides the evaluation comments of the Certification Body. These cover the product label information, the submitted nutrition claim, and their compliance with the Requirements for a Nutrition Claims Certification.

Who can apply for a Nutrition Label Certification?

The Monde Selection Nutrition Claims Certification is open to food companies from all around the globe. Every food business operator that manufactures and markets beverages or food products is welcome to apply for certification, as long as his products are considered eligible.

Food and beverage products with a nutritional composition that lends itself to one or more valid nutrition claim(s) according to the conditions set in the Monde Selection Requirements for a Nutrition Claims Certification may be eligible to submit an application.

Some restrictions apply to certain products:
– Non-prepackaged foods
– Alcoholic beverages over 1.2% alcohol by volume
– Infant formulae (food intended for infants aged 0 to 6 months)
– Foods for special medical purposes
– Food supplements
– Natural mineral waters and other waters.

For more information about the product Eligibility, please refer to Point 4 of the Requirements for the Nutrition Claim Certification

How can I apply for Monde Selection’s Nutrition Claims Certification?

All product registrations shall be made online on the official website of Monde Selection’s Nutrition Labels, via the section “Register a product” or “Submit a product”.

How much does it cost to obtain a Nutrition Claim Certification?

The fees to certify a nutrition claim are composed of:

  • An evaluation fee that covers the assessment of the claim(s), and which varies according to the necessary analyses in accredited laboratories.
  • A licence fee for using the intellectual property such as the label on the product packaging. The company may choose the duration of the label licence: 1, 2 or 3 years of use starting from the date of the certification issuance.

For more pricing information, visit our pricing page

How is the certification procedure conducted?

The certification is carried out following a strict and internally defined procedure  which is specified in Monde Selection’s Requirements for a Nutrition Claims Certification.
Applications for certification are first reviewed by the experts, who analyse the submitted claim(s) and ensure that all required information has been provided. The product samples are then sent to an accredited laboratory that performs an analysis of their nutritional composition. Once the analysis report is received, the Certification Body proceeds to a full evaluation of the application. This includes verifying that the label information and value measurements fulfil the requirements set out in the Monde Selection Requirements for a Nutrition Claims Certification.

How long does it take to get the certification?

The length of the certification process is approximately 8 weeks starting from the reception of the sample and payment of the certification fees. If Monde Selection is dealing with any delays, each participant will be informed of this at the time of registration.
Please note that certification may take longer for products registered during the months of July and August.

Can I provide my own laboratory tests results?

No. To ensure the independence and impartiality of the certification process, each product will be analysed in an accredited third-party EU laboratory.

Are the standards different depending on the product’s country of origin?

No. Monde Selection’s Certification Body evaluates each product according to the same procedure and specified requirements, irrespective of any, possibly more flexible, requirements applicable in the territory in which the product is sold.

Please note that the company remains responsible for ensuring that label information satisfies the food legislation concerned.
Monde Selection’s Requirements for a Nutrition Claims Certification encompass food labelling regulations and standards of the European Union, the Food and Agriculture Organisation (FAO) and the World Health Organization (WHO), the Government of Japan, and the People’s Republic of China. It therefore assures food business operators that their claims comply with labelling requirements across many countries.

Where do the standards for Nutrition Claims Certification come from?

The Monde Selection Requirements for a Nutrition Claims Certification have been drawn up in conformity with international documents (legislation, guidelines and standards) published by the European Union, the Food and Agriculture Organisation (FAO) in conjunction with the World Health Organization (WHO), the Government of Japan, and the People’s Republic of China.
For more details regarding the reference texts, please refer to Point 7 of the Requirements for the Nutrition Claim Certification

What are the criteria covered during the assessment?

Each product submitted for certification is subject to an evaluation according to a set of defined criteria.
First, the eligibility of the product and the submitted nutrition claim(s) are verified. Both shall fall in the scope of Monde Selection’s Requirements for a Nutrition Claims Certification.
Secondly, the product labelling and nutritional content are checked. To this end, the following elements are included in the evaluation: the list of ingredients, the nutrition declaration, the expression of nutrient content, the conformity with general principles, and the scientific substantiation.
Regarding the nutrition declaration, all labelled nutritional values are compared with the laboratory analysis report. Indicated values of each nutrient featured in a nutrition claim shall strictly lie within the tolerances and comply with the conditions of use of the submitted claim(s).
For more information about the certification requirements, please refer to Point 6 of the Requirements for the Nutrition Claim Certification

What happens if the standards change?

The standards for the Nutrition Claim Certification are overseen by a Certification Body appointed by Monde Selection. Members of the Certification Body are independent scientists with a strong background in nutrition science, food technology and food legislation.

The independence of the evaluation is guaranteed through the setting up of a Scientific Committee, which is in charge of defining and revising the criteria on a yearly basis so that it meets the latest international regulations and standards on nutrition claims.

Amendments of the reference texts which form the basis of Monde Selection’s Requirements for a Nutrition Claims Certification could lead to an update of the cited document. If this should occur before the expiry of the validity period of the paid licence, this licence may be renewed at the following registration. The licence fee will therefore be reduced based onthe remaining duration of the previous licence.

Why are certain vitamins or minerals not covered by the Monde Selection Nutrition Labels?

Some food legislation imposes specific methods of analysis for the quantification of nutrients displayed on a food labelling.

The Monde Selection Nutrition Claims Certification aims to set internationally harmonised conditions by covering regulations and standards applicable in different territories. A nutrient can therefore only be selected if the methods of analysis carried out by the partner laboratories for this specific nutrient are similar to those cited in the reference texts under consideration.

In this way, when a method specified for a nutrient cannot be conducted in collaborating laboratories, the given nutrient is excluded from the scope of Monde Selection’s Nutrition Claims Certification and thus not available in our list of Nutrition Labels.

 

How many samples do I need to ship?

The equivalent of 450 g for (semi-)solids or 450 ml for liquids per product, divided in 3 individual packages at least.

Where do I have to ship my samples?

Your samples are to be shipped to Monde Selection office in Belgium:

MONDE SELECTION
Chaussée de Tubize 242
1440 Wauthier-Braine
BELGIUM
Phone: +32.2.346.75.57
info@nutrition-labels.com

How do I ship my samples?

Make sure your samples are correctly wrapped in order to avoid any damage during transport. Your samples are to be shipped DDP (Delivered Duty Paid = all costs paid by shipper) directly to our office address. We highly recommend you send your package(s) via an express delivery service such as TNT, FedEx, DHL, EMS or UPS.

As Monde Selection is not responsible for import/duty fees, kindly ask your transporter to handle the clearance of your products. Please do not forget the following points when sending the parcel(s):

  • Include a copy of your entry form with your samples
  • Add the following mention on your package: Monde Selection “samples for analysis to be destroyed after analysis”
  • Clearly mention your company name as the shipper. Avoid using your personal name only. Thank you.
  • Send a copy of the air waybill (AWB) and the pro forma invoice by email to info@nutrition-labels.com

How to pay the entry fee?

The entry fee is to be paid by bank transfer.

What are the bank details?

IBAN (Account Number): BE13 3100 4930 0439
SWIFT Code: BBRUBEBB
Beneficiary’s name: MONDE SELECTION sprl
Bank’s name: ING
Bank’s branch: Rhode-St-Genèse
Bank’s address: Avenue de la Forêt de Soignes 371 1640 Rhode-St-Genèse Belgium

*Do not forget to mention to your bank that all bank charges are at the customer’s expense

Can I pay by credit card?

Should you wish to pay by credit card, please send us an email to obtain a specific link.

Is the Nutrition Label still valid within the selected licence period (1 year, 2 years, or 3 years) if I make any change to the product label information, formulation1 and/or packaging layout (e.g. size, volume, weight, material)?

The Nutrition Label can be used and displayed on your product packaging for the licence period you have selected starting from the date of issue. At the end of the validity period, you may decide to either remove the Nutrition Label from the product label or to apply for a certification renewal.
However, some restrictions for the use of the label may apply before the default expiry date. This may relate to the following situations:

  • The label information content (including the claims, nutrition declaration, list of ingredients, etc.) has been modified but not the label design or formulation
  • The product has been reformulated without affecting the product nutritional content (e.g. change of food additives)
  • The product has been reformulated, resulting in a modification of the product nutritional content
  • The label information and/or nutritional content of the product complies/no longer complies with Monde Selection’s Requirements for a Nutrition Claims Certification (revised on a yearly basis).

In any case, you will be required to notify the Monde Selection team when you proceed to any of these changes. Our Certification Body will consider and follow up on your explicit request. The certification procedure will be adapted accordingly through a partial or complete re-evaluation of the product, i.e. claim(s) and label evaluation whether or not preceded by laboratory analysis.

For any inquiry regarding the label usage and validity, please refer to the Rules & Regulations or contact our team via info@nutrition-labels.com.

I am planning to export my products abroad. Can I use the Nutrition Label on the products distributed to another territory?

The Monde Selection Requirements for a Nutrition Claims Certification encompass national and international food regulations and standards, namely those of the European Union, the Food and Agriculture Organisation (FAO) and the World Health Organization (WHO), the Government of Japan and the People’s Republic of China. It therefore assures food business operators that their claims comply with labelling requirements across many countries.
However, as a food business operator, you are responsible for ensuring that label information complies with the food law requirements applicable in the territory in which your products are marketed. You shall therefore verify current local regulations and strictly follow the related amendments.

How to use the Nutrition Label correctly?

Please consult the Corporate Identity Guidelines for the correct use of the Nutrition Label on your product or in any communication support.