What is the best way to interpret the results of a nutritional analysis test?

As a long time formulator in functional foods and nutrition, this was not always done for each launched item but thankfully, many. The nutritional analysis validates the formulation and process of a prepared item to deliver a planned macro-nutrient profile (where formula was designed by nutritional calculation of ingredients used and known nutrition of those items) or if there was no pre-calculation, to examine the nutritional profile for adjustment. In most cases today, formulas are pre-calculated with popular R&D/PD programs and tools, but some of the components from raw to final packaging can change due to process. It is also useful to random test items periodically to confirm manufacturing changes have not affected existing NLEA claims.

Muitas tecnologias vem sendo desenvolvidas para a análise de composi??o nutricional de um produto. O importante é sempre ter no??o da seriedade destes testes. Utilizamos softwares e tabelas apenas em casos específicos e no geral o ideal é utilizar os métodos padronizados e aceitos pela AOAC e pela legisla??o do seu país, como a ANVISA e FDA. Ter seriedade nestes números é importante para garantir ao consumidor o devido acesso ao produto de qualidade.

Database analysis is highly dependent on the accuracy of data input and/or accuracy of the source/supplier used. A limited analysis, like proximate analysis- is not as expensive and very useful to confirm the macro nutrient data sufficiently parallels the calculated values. However, none of these generally measure micronutrients except as required by a governing regulatory agency (ie- federal labeling compliance requirements for NLEA facts) - and if looking for specific micronutrient data, post package extensive analysis should be done.

How you use a nutritional analysis report for a product depends on your specific needs and goals. This report can be used to analyse the areas in which the product excels, like high protein content, which can influence how the product is used/advertised... or areas for improvement, like high sodium, in which case the product can be reformulated.

Understanding how to interpret the chemical nutrient analysis is vital to identify errors in the processing, quality control and contamination of the food product. Nutrient analysis also ensures the food product meets the countries regulations especially when claims are made. For recipe calculations, the user must be knowledgeable on how to use the software package and interpret the results.

As micronutrient data in functional or medical nutrition becomes more meaningful to newer overall integrative health trends via microbiome, the future demand may be seeking more accurate analysis development for functional prebiotic fibers and types, specific sugar types, polyphenol, amino acid and free fatty acid evaluations and others, even possibly to scan for damaging pesticides, synthetic materials and foreign micro-contaminants that affect human nutrition - as extension analytics. All consumer product scientists should keep up with the growing data lists and terminology as well as interpretation of potential benefits vs harmful effects of ingested products as the body of scientific findings and global regulations grow.