GUIDELINES ON NUTRITION LABELLING

CXG 2-1985

Adopted in 1985. Revised in 1993 and 2011. Amended in 2003, 2006, 2009, 2010, 2012, 2013, 2015,
2016, 2017, 2021 and 2024.
ANNEX 1 adopted in 2011. Revised in 2013, 2015, 2016, 2017 and 2024.
ANNEX 2 adopted in 2021.
CXG 2-1985 2

2024 Amendments

Amendments were made in Section 3.4.4 and Section [Link]. Section [Link] and Part B in Annex 1 were added.
 CXG 2-1985 3

PURPOSE OF THE GUIDELINES

To ensure that nutrition labelling is effective:
 in providing the consumer with information about a food so that a wise choice of food can be made;
 in providing a means for conveying information of the nutrient content of a food on the label;
 in encouraging the use of sound nutrition principles in the formulation of foods which would benefit
public health;
 in providing the opportunity to include supplementary nutrition information on the label.
To ensure that nutrition labelling does not describe a product or present information about it which is in
any way false, misleading, deceptive or insignificant in any manner.
To ensure that no nutrition claim is made without nutrition labelling.

PRINCIPLES FOR NUTRITION LABELLING

A. Nutrient declaration
 Information supplied should be for the purpose of providing consumers with a suitable profile of
nutrients contained in the food and considered to be of nutritional importance. The information
should not lead consumers to believe that there is exact quantitative knowledge of what individuals
should eat in order to maintain health, but rather to convey an understanding of the quantity of
nutrients contained in the product. A more exact quantitative delineation for individuals is not valid
because there is no meaningful way in which knowledge about individual requirements can be used
in labelling.
B. Supplementary nutrition information
 The content of supplementary nutrition information will vary from one country to another and within
any country from one target population group to another according to the educational policy of the
country and the needs of the target groups.
C. Nutrition labelling
 Nutrition labelling should not deliberately imply that a food which carries such labelling has
necessarily any nutritional advantage over a food which is not so labelled.
1. SCOPE
These guidelines recommend procedures for the nutrition labelling of foods.
These guidelines apply to the nutrition labelling of all foods. For foods for special dietary uses, more detailed
provisions may be developed.
2. DEFINITIONS
For the purpose of these guidelines:
Nutrition labelling is a description intended to inform the consumer of nutritional properties of a food.
Nutrition labelling consists of two components:
(a) nutrient declaration; and
(b) supplementary nutrition information.
Nutrient declaration means a standardized statement or listing of the nutrient content of a food.
Nutrition claim means any representation which states, suggests or implies that a food has particular
nutritional properties including, but not limited to, the energy value and to the content of protein, fat and
carbohydrates, as well as the content of vitamins and minerals. The following do not constitute nutrition claims:
 the mention of substances in the list of ingredients; or
 the mention of nutrients as a mandatory part of nutrition labelling; or
 quantitative or qualitative declaration of certain nutrients or ingredients on the label if required by
national legislation.
 CXG 2-1985 4

Nutrient means any substance normally consumed as a constituent of food:

 which provides energy; or
 which is needed for growth, development and maintenance of life; or
 a deficit of which will cause characteristic biochemical or physiological changes to occur.
Nutrient reference values (NRVs)1 are a set of numerical values that are based on scientific data for purposes
of nutrition labelling and relevant claims. They comprise the following two types of NRVs:
Nutrient reference values – requirements (NRVs-R) refer to NRVs that are based on levels of nutrients
associated with nutrient requirements.
Nutrient reference values – non-communicable disease (NRVs-NCD) refer to NRVs that are based on
levels of nutrients associated with the reduction in the risk of diet-related non-communicable diseases not
including nutrient deficiency diseases or disorders.
Sugars means all monosaccharides and disaccharides present in food.
Dietary fibre means carbohydrate polymers 2 with ten or more monomeric units,3 which are not hydrolysed by
the endogenous enzymes in the small intestine of humans and belong to the following categories:
 edible carbohydrate polymers naturally occurring in the food as consumed;
 carbohydrate polymers, which have been obtained from food raw material by physical, enzymatic or
chemical means and which have been shown to have a physiological benefit to health as demonstrated
by generally accepted scientific evidence to competent authorities; and
 synthetic carbohydrate polymers which have been shown to have a physiological benefit to health as
demonstrated by generally accepted scientific evidence to competent authorities.
Polyunsaturated fatty acids means fatty acids with cis-cis methylene interrupted double bonds.
Trans-fatty acids:4 For the purpose of the Guidelines on nutrition labelling and other related Codex standards
and guidelines, trans-fatty acids are defined as all the geometrical isomers of monounsaturated and
polyunsaturated fatty acids having non-conjugated, interrupted by at least one methylene group, carbon-
carbon double bonds in the trans-configuration.
3. NUTRIENT DECLARATION
3.1 Application of nutrient declaration
3.1.1 Nutrient declaration should be mandatory for all pre-packaged foods for which nutrition or health claims, as
defined in the Guidelines for use of nutrition and health claims (CXG 23-1997),i are made.
3.1.2 Nutrient declaration should be mandatory for all other pre-packaged foods except where national
circumstances would not support such declarations. Certain foods may be exempted for example, on the basis
of nutritional or dietary insignificance or small packaging.
3.2 Listing of nutrients
3.2.1 Where nutrient declaration is applied, the declaration of the following should be mandatory:
 energy value; and
 the amounts of protein, available carbohydrate (i.e. dietary carbohydrate excluding dietary fibre), fat,
saturated fat, sodium5 and total sugars; and
 the amount of any other nutrient for which a nutrition or health claim is made; and

1 See also Annex 1 for the general principles for the establishment of nutrient reference values.
2 When derived from a plant origin, dietary fibre may include fractions of lignin and/or other compounds associated with
polysaccharides in the plant cell walls. These compounds also may be measured by certain analytical method(s) for
dietary fibre. However, such compounds are not included in the definition of dietary fibre if extracted and re-introduced
into a food.
3 Decision on whether to include carbohydrates from 3 to 9 monomeric units should be left to national authorities.
4 Codex Members may, for the purposes of nutrition labelling, review the inclusion of specific trans-fatty acids (TFAs) in
the definition of TFAs if new scientific data become available.
5 National authorities may decide to express the total amount of sodium in salt equivalents as “salt”.
 CXG 2-1985 5

 the amount of any other nutrient considered to be relevant for maintaining a good nutritional status, as
required by national legislation or national dietary guidelines.6
3.2.2 When a voluntary declaration of a specific nutrient, in addition to those listed in Section 3.2.1, is applied,
national legislation may require the mandatory declaration of the amount of any other nutrients considered
relevant for maintaining a good nutritional status.
3.2.3 Where a specific nutrition or health claim is applied, then the declaration of the amount of any other nutrient
considered relevant for maintaining a good nutritional status as required by national legislation or national
dietary guidelines should be mandatory.
3.2.4 Where a claim is made regarding the amount and/or the type of carbohydrate, the amount of total sugars
should be listed in addition to the requirements in Section 3.2.1. The amounts of starch and/or other
carbohydrate constituent(s) may also be listed. Where a claim is made regarding the dietary fibre content, the
amount of dietary fibre should be declared.
3.2.5 Where a claim is made regarding the amount and/or type of fatty acids or the amount of cholesterol, the
amounts of saturated fatty acids, monounsaturated fatty acids and polyunsaturated fatty acids and cholesterol
should be declared, and the amount of trans-fatty acid may be required according to national legislation, in
addition to the requirements of Section 3.2.1 and in accordance with Section 3.4.7.
3.2.6 In addition to the mandatory declaration under 3.2.1, 3.2.3 and 3.2.4, vitamins and minerals may be listed in
accordance with the following criteria:
Only vitamins and minerals for which recommended intakes have been established and/or which are of
nutritional importance in the country concerned should also be declared.
When nutrient declaration is applied, vitamins and minerals which are present in amounts less than 5 percent
of the NRV or of the officially recognized guidelines of the competent authority per 100 g or 100 ml or per
serving as quantified on the label should not be declared.
3.2.7 In the case where a product is subject to labelling requirements of a Codex standard, the provisions for nutrient
declaration set out in that standard should take precedence over but not conflict with the provisions of
Sections 3.2.1 to 3.2.6 of these guidelines.
3.3 Calculation of nutrients
3.3.1 Calculation of energy
The amount of energy to be listed should be calculated by using the following conversion factors:
Carbohydrates 4 kcal/g – 17 kJ
Protein 4 kcal/g – 17 kJ
Fat 9 kcal/g – 37 kJ
Alcohol (Ethanol) 7 kcal/g – 29 kJ
Organic acid 3 kcal/g – 13 kJ
3.3.2 Calculation of protein
The amount of protein to be listed should be calculated using the formula:
Protein = Total Kjeldahl Nitrogen x 6.25
unless a different factor is given in a Codex standard or in the Codex method of analysis for that food.
3.4 Presentation of nutrient content
3.4.1 The declaration of nutrient content should be numerical. However, the use of additional means of presentation
should not be excluded.
3.4.2 Information on energy value should be expressed in kJ and kcal per 100 g or per 100 ml or per package if the
package contains only a single portion. In addition, this information may be given per serving as quantified on
the label or per portion provided that the number of portions contained in the package is stated.
3.4.3 Information on the amounts of protein, carbohydrate and fat in the food should be expressed in g per 100 g or
per 100 ml or per package if the package contains only a single portion. In addition, this information may be

6 Countries where the level of intake of trans-fatty acids is a public health concern should consider the declaration of
trans-fatty acids in nutrition labelling.
 CXG 2-1985 6

given per serving as quantified on the label or per portion provided that the number of portions contained in
the package is stated.
3.4.4 Numerical information on vitamins and minerals should be expressed in metric units and/or as a percentage
of the NRV per 100 g or per 100 ml or per package if the package contains only a single portion. In addition,
this information may be given per serving as quantified on the label or per portion provided that the number of
portions contained in the package is stated.
In addition, information on protein and additional nutrients may also be expressed as percentages of the NRV,
where an NRV has been established.
The following NRVs in Sections [Link] and [Link] are for the general population identified as individuals older
than 36 months. They should be used for labelling purposes to help consumers make choices that contribute
to an overall healthful dietary intake.
They comprise two types of NRVs: nutrient reference values-requirements (NRVs-R) and nutrient reference
values – non-communicable disease (NRVs-NCD).7
The NRVs-R in Section [Link] are for older infants and young children (6–36 months).8
[Link] NRVs-R for general population
Vitamins
Vitamin A (µg RAE or RE) 800
Vitamin D (µg) 5 – 15*
Vitamin C (mg) 100
Vitamin K (µg) 60
Vitamin E (mg) 9
Thiamine (mg) 1.2
Riboflavin (mg) 1.2
Niacin (mg NE) 15
Vitamin B6 (mg) 1.3
Folate (µg DFE) 400
Vitamin B12 (µg) 2.4
Pantothenate (mg) 5
Biotin (µg) 30
Minerals
Calcium (mg) 1 000
Magnesium (mg) 310
Iron (mg)** 14 (15% dietary absorption; diversified diets, rich in meat fish, poultry, and/or
rich in fruit and vegetables)
22 (10% dietary absorption; diets rich in cereals, roots or tubers, with some
meat, fish, poultry and/or containing some fruit and vegetables)
Zinc (mg)** 11 (30% dietary absorption; mixed diets, and lacto-ovo vegetarian diets that
are not based on unrefined cereal grains or high extraction rate (>90%)
flours)
14 (22% dietary absorption; cereal-based diets, with >50% energy intake
from cereal grains or legumes and negligible intake of animal protein)
Iodine (µg) 150

7 The general principles and related definitions used in establishing these NRVs are identified in Annex 1, Part A.
8 The general principles and related definitions used in establishing these NRVs are identified in Annex 1, Part B.
 CXG 2-1985 7

Copper (µg) 900

Selenium (µg) 60
Manganese (mg) 3
Molybdenum (µg) 45
Phosphorus (mg) 700
Other
Protein (g) 50
* The value of 15 µg is based on minimal sunlight exposure throughout the year. Competent national and/or
regional authorities should determine an appropriate NRV-R that best accounts for population sunlight
exposure and other relevant factors.
** Competent national and/or regional authorities should determine an appropriate NRV-R that best represents
the dietary absorption from relevant diets.
[Link] NRVs-R for older infants and young children (6–36 months)9
Nutrient Older Infants Young Children 6–36-months age group
(6–12months) (12–36 months)
Vitamin A (µg RAE or RE) 250 300 275
Thiamine (mg) 0.3 0.5 0.4
Riboflavin (mg) 0.4 0.6 0.5
Vitamin B6 (mg) 0.3 0.6 0.5
Protein (g) 11 13 12
Vitamin E(mg) 5 7 6
Niacin (mg NE) 4 6 5
Pantothenic acid (mg) 3 3 3
Copper (µg) 220 300 260
Iodine (µg) 80 95 90
Potassium (mg) 725 850 790
Calcium (mg) 390 590 490
Vitamin D (µg 10 10 10
Zinc (mg) 3.6 4.8 4.2
** FAO/WHO age brackets are 7-12 months, and 1-3 years inclusive, in line with reporting of age brackets in
the 2004 documents, Vitamin and mineral requirements in human nutrition, 2 nd edition
([Link] (for information only.
Conversion factors for vitamin equivalents
Vitamin Dietary equivalents
Niacin 1 mg niacin equivalents (NE) = 1 mg niacin
60 mg tryptophan
Folate 1 µg dietary folate equivalents (DFE) = 1 µg food folate
0.6 µg folic acid added to food or as supplement
consumed with food
0.5 µg folic acid as supplement taken on an empty
stomach

9 These can be used for the labelling of foods for special dietary uses for older infants and young children (6–36 months)
for which there are existing Codex texts.
 CXG 2-1985 8

Vitamin A 1 µg retinol activity equivalents (RAE) = 1 µg retinol

12 µg β-carotene
or 24 µg other provitamin A carotenoids
1 µg retinol equivalents (RE) = 1 µg retinol
6 µg β-carotene
12 µg other provitamin A carotenoids
Vitamin E 1 mg α-tocopherol 1 mg RRR-α-tocopherol
(d- α-tocopherol)
The conversion factors for vitamin equivalents in the table provide supporting information to enable competent
national and/or regional authorities to determine appropriate application of NRVs-R.
[Link] NRVs-NCD
Intake levels not to exceed
Saturated fatty acids 20 g10,11
Sodium 2 000 mg12
Intake levels to achieve
Potassium 3 500 mg10
3.4.5 In countries where serving sizes are normally used, the information required by Sections 3.4.2, 3.4.3 and 3.4.4
may be given per serving only as quantified on the label or per portion provided that the number of portions
contained in the package is stated.
3.4.6 The presence of available carbohydrates should be declared on the label as “carbohydrates”. Where the type
of carbohydrate is declared, this declaration should follow immediately the declaration of the total carbohydrate
content in the following format:
“Carbohydrate ... g, of which sugars ... g”.
This may be followed by the following: “x” ...g
where “x” represents the specific name of any other carbohydrate constituent.
3.4.7 Where the amount and/or type of fatty acids or the amount of cholesterol is declared, this declaration should
follow immediately the declaration of the total fat in accordance with Section 3.4.3.
The following format should be used:
Total fat ... g

saturated fatty acids ... g

of which trans-fatty acids ... g
monounsaturated fatty acids ... g
polyunsaturated fatty acids ... g

Cholesterol ... mg

3.5 Tolerances and compliance

Tolerance limits should be set in relation to public health concerns, shelf-life, accuracy of analysis, processing
variability and inherent liability and variability of the nutrient in the product, and, according to whether the
nutrient has been added or is naturally occurring in the product.

10 This value is based on the reference energy intake of 8 370 kilojoules/2 000 kilocalories.
11 The selection of this nutrient for the establishment of an NRV was based on “convincing evidence” for a relationship
with NCD risk as reported in the report Diet, Nutrition and the Prevention of Chronic Diseases. WHO Technical Report
Series 916. WHO, 2003.
12 The selection of these nutrients for the establishment of an NRV was based on “high quality” evidence for a relationship
with a biomarker for NCD risk in adults as reported in the respective 2012 WHO Guidelines on sodium and potassium
intake for adults and children.
 CXG 2-1985 9

The values used in nutrient declaration should be weighted average values derived from data specifically
obtained from analyses of products which are representative of the product being labelled.
In those cases where a product is subject to a Codex standard, requirements for tolerances for nutrient
declaration established by the standard should take precedence over these guidelines.
4. PRINCIPLES AND CRITERIA FOR LEGIBILITY OF NUTRITION LABELLING
4.1 General principles
In the case of nutrition labelling whether applied on a mandatory or voluntary basis, the principles of
Sections 8.1.1, 8.1.2, 8.1.3 and 8.2 of the General standard for the labelling of pre-packaged foods (CXS 1-
1985)ii should be applied. Sections 8.1.1, 8.1.2 and 8.1.3 should be applied to any supplementary nutrition
labels.
4.2 Specific features of presentation
These recommendations related to specific features of presentation are intended to enhance the legibility of
nutrition labelling. However, competent authorities may determine any additional means of presentation of
nutrition information taking into account approaches and practical issues at the national level and based on
the needs of their consumers.
Format – nutrient content should be declared in a numerical, tabular format. Where there is insufficient space
for a tabular format, nutrient declaration may be presented in a linear format.
Nutrients should be declared in a specific order developed by competent authorities and should be consistent
across food products.
Font – the font type, style and a minimum font size as well as the use of upper- and lower-case letters should
be considered by competent authorities to ensure legibility of nutrition labelling.
Contrast – a significant contrast should be maintained between the text and background so as to be that the
nutrition information is clearly legible.
Numerical presentation – the numerical presentation of nutrient content should be in accordance with the
provisions of Section 3.4.
5. SUPPLEMENTARY NUTRITION INFORMATION
Supplementary nutrition information is intended to increase the consumer’s understanding of the nutritional
value of their food and to assist in interpreting the nutrient declaration. 13 There are a number of ways of
presenting such information that may be suitable for use on food labels.
The use of supplementary nutrition information on food labels should be optional and should only be given in
addition to, and not in place of, the nutrient declaration, except for target populations who have a high illiteracy
rate and/or comparatively little knowledge of nutrition. For these, food group symbols or other pictorial or colour
presentations may be used without the nutrient declaration.
Supplementary nutrition information on labels should be accompanied by consumer education programmes to
increase consumer understanding and use of the information.

13 Guidelines on front-of-pack nutrition labelling are provided in Annex 2 to these Guidelines.

 CXG 2-1985 10

ANNEX 1
PART A: GENERAL PRINCIPLES FOR ESTABLISHING NUTRIENT REFERENCE VALUES FOR THE
GENERAL POPULATION
1. PREAMBLE
These principles apply to the establishment of Codex nutrient reference values (NRVs) for the general
population identified as individuals older than 36 months. These values may be used for helping consumers:
1) estimate the relative contribution of individual products to overall healthful dietary intake; and 2) as one way
to compare the nutrient content between products.
Governments are encouraged to use the NRVs, or alternatively, consider the suitability of the general principles
below including the level of evidence required, and additional factors specific to a country or region in
establishing their own reference values for labelling purposes. For example, at the national level, population-
weighted values for the general population may be established by weighting science-based reference values
for daily intakes for age-sex groups using census data for a country and proportions of each age-sex group.
In addition, governments may establish reference values for food labelling that take into account country or
region-specific factors that affect nutrient absorption, utilization or requirements. Governments may also
consider whether to establish separate food label reference values for specific segments of the general
population.
2. DEFINITIONS
Daily intake reference values as used in these principles refer to reference nutrient intake values provided
by FAO/WHO or recognized authoritative scientific bodies that may be considered in establishing an NRV
based on the principles and criteria in Section 3. These values may be expressed in different ways (e.g. as a
single value or a range) and are applicable to the general population or to a segment of the population
(e.g. recommendations for a specified age range).
Individual nutrient level 98 (INL98)14 is the daily intake reference value that is estimated to meet the nutrient
requirement of 98 percent of the apparently healthy individuals in a specific life stage and sex group.
Upper level of intake (UL)15 is the maximum level of habitual intake from all sources of a nutrient or related
substance judged to be unlikely to lead to adverse health effects in humans.
Acceptable macronutrient distribution range (AMDR) is a range of intakes for a particular energy source
that is associated with reduced risk of diet-related non-communicable diseases while providing adequate
intakes of essential nutrients. For macronutrients, they are generally expressed as a percentage of energy
intake.
Other than FAO and/or WHO (FAO/WHO), a recognized authoritative scientific body (RASB) as used in these
principles refers to an organization supported by a competent national and/or regional authority(ies) that
provides independent, transparent,* scientific and authoritative advice on daily intake reference values through
primary evaluation** of the scientific evidence upon request and for which such advice is recognized through
its use in the development of policies in one or more countries.
* In providing transparent scientific advice, the Committee would have access to what was considered by a
RASB in establishing a daily intake reference value in order to understand the derivation of the value.
** Primary evaluation involves a review and interpretation of the scientific evidence to develop daily intake
reference values, rather than the adoption of advice from another RASB.
3. GENERAL PRINCIPLES FOR ESTABLISHING NRVs
3.1 Selection of suitable data sources to establish NRVs
Relevant daily intake reference values provided by FAO/WHO that are based on a recent review of the science
should be taken into consideration as primary sources in establishing NRVs.
Relevant daily intake reference values that reflect recent independent review of the science, from recognized
authoritative scientific bodies could also be taken into consideration. Higher priority should be given to values
in which the evidence has been evaluated through a systematic review.
The daily intake reference values should reflect intake recommendations for the general population.

14 Different countries may use other terms for this concept, for example, recommended dietary allowance (RDA),
recommended daily allowance (RDA), reference nutrient intake (RNI), or population reference intake (PRI).
15 Different countries may use other terms for this concept, for example, tolerable upper nutrient intake level (UL) or upper
end of safe intake range.
 CXG 2-1985 11

3.2 Selection of nutrients and appropriate basis for NRVs

3.2.1 Selection of nutrients and appropriate basis for NRVs-R
The NRVs-R should be based on individual nutrient level 98 (INL98). In certain cases where there is an
absence of, or an older, established INL98 for a nutrient for a specific subgroup(s), it may be more appropriate
to consider the use of other daily intake reference values or ranges that have been more recently established
by recognized authoritative scientific bodies. The derivation of these values should be reviewed on a case-by-
case basis.
The general population NRVs-R should be determined by calculating the mean values for a chosen reference
population group older than 36 months. NRVs-R derived by the Codex Alimentarius Commission are based
on the widest applicable age range for each of adult males and females.
For the purpose of establishing these NRVs-R, the values for pregnant and lactating women should be
excluded.
3.2.2 Selection of nutrients and appropriate basis for NRVs-NCD
The following criteria should be considered in the selection of nutrients for the establishment of NRVs-NCD:
 Relevant convincing16/generally accepted17 scientific evidence or the comparable level of evidence
under the GRADE classification 18 for the relationship between a nutrient and non-communicable
disease risk, including validated biomarkers for the disease risk, for at least one major segment of the
population (e.g. adults).
 Public health importance of the nutrient-non-communicable disease risk relationship(s) among Codex
Member countries.
Relevant and peer-reviewed scientific evidence for quantitative reference values for daily intake should be
available in order to determine an NRV-NCD that is applicable to the general population.
Daily intake reference values from FAO/WHO or recognized authoritative scientific bodies that may be
considered for NRVs-NCD include values expressed in absolute amounts or as a percentage of energy intake.
For practical application in nutrition labelling, a single NRV-NCD for the general population should be
established for each nutrient that meets the principles and criteria in this Annex.
An NRV-NCD for the general population should be determined from the daily intake reference value for the
general population or adults, or if given by sex, the mean of adult males and adult females.
Where a daily intake reference value is based on a percentage energy intake, the single NRV-NCD should be
expressed in grams or milligrams based on a reference intake for the general population of 8 370
kilojoules/2000 kilocalories.
Governments may use a Codex NRV-NCD based on the reference energy intake of 8 370 kilojoules/2 000
kilocalories or may derive their own reference values for nutrition labelling based on another reference energy
intake that considers factors specific to their country or region.
3.3 Consideration of daily intake reference values for upper levels
The establishment of general population NRVs should also take into account daily intake reference values for
upper levels established by FAO/WHO or recognized authoritative scientific bodies where applicable
(e.g. upper level of intake, AMDR).

16 At the time these guiding principles were drafted, the definition and criteria for “convincing evidence” from the following
FAO/WHO report were used: Diet, Nutrition and the Prevention of Chronic Diseases. WHO Technical Report Series
916. WHO, 2003.
17 For these general principles the terms convincing/generally accepted evidence are considered synonymous.
18 WHO’s Guidelines Review Committee. WHO Handbook for guideline development. Geneva, World Health Organization
(WHO), 2014 ([Link]
 CXG 2-1985 12

PART B: GENERAL PRINCIPLES FOR ESTABLISHING NUTRIENT REFERENCE VALUES FOR

OLDER INFANTS AND YOUNG CHILDREN (6–36 MONTHS)
1. PREAMBLE
These principles apply to the establishment of Codex nutrient reference values-requirement (NRVs-R) for
persons aged 6–36 months. These values may be used in the labelling of prepackaged foods for special dietary
uses (FSDU) intended for persons aged 6–36 months to help consumers: 1) estimate the relative contribution
of individual products to overall healthful dietary intake; and 2) as one way to compare the nutrient content
between products.
Governments are encouraged to use the NRVs-R, or alternatively, consider the suitability of the general
principles below including the level of evidence required, and additional factors specific to a country or region
in establishing their own NRVs-R. In addition, governments may establish NRVs-R for food labelling that take
into account country- or region-specific factors that affect nutrient absorption, utilization or requirements.
Governments may also consider whether to establish separate or combined food label NRVs-R for specific
segments of persons aged 6–36 months.
2. DEFINITIONS AS USED IN THESE PRINCIPLES
Daily intake reference values (DIRV) refer to reference nutrient intake values provided by FAO/WHO or
recognized authoritative scientific bodies that may be considered in establishing an NRV for persons aged
6– 36 months based on the principles and criteria in Section 3. These values may be expressed in different
ways (e.g. as single values or a range) and are applicable to persons aged 6–36 months or to a segment of
this age group (e.g. recommendations for a specified age range).
Individual nutrient level 98 (INL98)19 is the daily intake reference value that is estimated to meet the nutrient
requirement of 98 percent of the apparently healthy individuals in the population aged from 6 to 36 months.
Adequate intake (AI) is a reference value for a specified population based on observed or experimentally
determined approximations or estimates of nutrient intakes by a group (or groups) of presumably healthy
people with no known evidence of deficiency.
Upper level of intake (UL)20 is the maximum level of habitual intake from all sources of a nutrient judged to
be unlikely to lead to adverse health effects in persons aged 6 to 36 months.
Other than FAO and/or WHO (FAO/WHO), a recognized authoritative scientific body (RASB) refers to an
organization supported by a competent national and/or regional authority(ies) that provides independent,
transparent,* scientific and authoritative advice on daily intake reference values through primary evaluation**
of the scientific evidence upon request and for which such advice is recognized through its use in the
development of policies in one or more countries.
*In providing transparent scientific advice, the Committee would have access to what was considered by a
RASB in establishing a daily intake reference value in order to understand the derivation of the value.
**Primary evaluation involves a review and interpretation of the scientific evidence to develop DIRV, rather
than the adoption of advice from another RASB.
3. GENERAL PRINCIPLES FOR ESTABLISHING NRVs-R
3.1 Selection of suitable data sources to establish NRVs-R
Relevant DIRV provided by FAO/WHO that are based on a recent review of the science should be taken into
consideration as primary sources in establishing NRVs-R.
Relevant DIRV that reflect recent independent review of the science, from recognized authoritative scientific
bodies could also be taken into consideration. Higher priority should be given to values in which the evidence
has been evaluated through a systematic review.
The DIRV should reflect intake recommendations for persons aged 6 to 36 months.
3.2 Appropriate basis for establishing NRVs-R
Ideally, the NRVs-R should be based on individual nutrient level 98 (INL98). In certain cases, where there is
an absence of, or an older, established FAO/WHO DIRV for a nutrient, it may be more appropriate to consider
the use of other daily intake reference values or ranges that have been more recently established by

19 Different countries may use other terms for this concept, for example, recommended dietary allowance (RDA),
recommended daily allowance (RDA), reference nutrient intake (RNI), or population reference intake (PRI).
20 Different countries may use other terms for this concept, for example, tolerable upper nutrient intake level (UL) or upper

end of safe intake range

 CXG 2-1985 13

recognized authoritative scientific bodies. The derivation of these values should be reviewed on a case-by-
case basis.
Nevertheless, the derivation of these values from RASBs, shall take into account the following elements: the
rigour of scientific methods, the underlying data quality, the strength of evidence used to establish these values
and the most recent independent review of the science.
NRV-Rs should be derived for persons aged 6–12 months and 12–36 months from suitable data sources
according to Section 3.1 and the appropriate basis described above. The combined NRV-R value for persons
aged 6–36 months should be determined by calculating the mean value of the two age groups 6–12 months
and 12–36 months.
3.3 Consideration of upper levels of intake
The establishment of NRVs-R for persons aged 6 to 36 months should also take into account upper levels of
intake (UL) established by FAO/WHO or recognized authoritative scientific bodies where/if available.
 CXG 2-1985 14

ANNEX 2
GUIDELINES ON FRONT-OF-PACK NUTRITION LABELLING
1. PURPOSE
Provide general guidance to assist in the development of front-of-pack nutrition labelling, a form of
supplementary nutrition information, as a tool to facilitate the consumer’s understanding of the nutritional value
of the food and their choice of food, consistent with the national dietary guidance or health and nutrition policy
of the country or region of implementation.
2. SCOPE
2.1 These guidelines apply to front-of-pack nutrition labelling (FOPNL) to be used on pre-packaged foods.21 FOPNL
should only be provided in addition to, and not in place of, the nutrient declaration 22 subject to the Section 5 of
the Guidelines on nutrition labelling (CXG 2-1985).iii
2.2 Foods covered by the following Codex standards are excluded:
 Standard for infant formula and formulas for special medical purposes intended for infants (CXS 72-
1981)iv
 Standard for follow-up formula (CXS 156-1987)v
 Standard for labelling of and claims for foods for special medical purposes (CXS 180-1991)vi
In addition, other foods could be considered for exclusion at a national level dependent on the type of FOPNL
being developed, such as alcoholic beverages and other foods for special dietary uses.
FOPNL should not be used in any way that could promote the consumption of alcohol.
2.3 Certain prepackaged foods may be exempted from FOPNL. Exemptions from FOPNL should align with the
exemption from the nutrient declaration as described in Section 3.1.2 of this standard (Guidelines on nutrition
labelling [CXG 2-1985]).
2.4 These guidelines can also be used as a guide in the case where simplified nutrition information is displayed
near the food (e.g. shelf-tags or food service), for unpackaged foods or for foods sold via online
(e.g. information available at point of purchase on websites).
3. DEFINITION OF FRONT-OF-PACK NUTRITION LABELLING
For the purposes of these guidelines:
1.1 Front-of-pack nutrition labelling (FOPNL) is a form of supplementary nutrition information that presents
simplified, nutrition information on the front-of-pack23 of pre-packaged food.24 It can include symbols/graphics,
text or a combination thereof that provide information on the overall nutritional value of the food and/or on
nutrients included in the FOPNL.
3.1 FOPNL can be voluntary or mandatory in line with national legislation.
4. PRINCIPLES FOR THE ESTABLISHMENT OF FOPNL SYSTEMS
In addition to the general principles in the General standard for the labelling of pre-packaged foods (CXS 1-
1985),ii a FOPNL should be based on the following principles:
 Only one FOPNL system should be recommended by government in each country. However, if multiple
FOPNL systems coexist, these should be complementary, not contradictory to each other.
 FOPNL should be applied to the food in a manner consistent with the corresponding nutrient declaration
for that food.
 FOPNL should align with evidence-based national or regional dietary guidance or, in its absence, health and
nutrition policies. Consideration should be given to the nutrients and/or the food groups which are
discouraged and/or encouraged by these documents.

21 As defined in the General standard for the labelling of pre-packaged foods (CXS 1-1985).
22 As defined in the Guidelines on nutrition labelling (CXG 2-1985).
23 Front-of-pack means the total area of the surface (or surfaces) that is displayed or visible to the consumer under
customary conditions of sale.
24 As defined in the General standard for the labelling of pre-packaged foods (CXS 1-1985).
CXG 2-1985 15

 FOPNL should present information in a way that is easy to understand and use by consumers in the country
or region of implementation. The format of the FOPNL should be supported by scientifically valid consumer
research.
 FOPNL should be clearly visible on the package/packaging at the point of purchase under normal conditions.
 FOPNL should help consumers to make appropriate comparisons between foods.
 FOPNL should be government led but developed in consultation with all interested parties including private
sector, consumers, academia, public health associations among others.
 FOPNL should be implemented in a way that facilitates the broad availability of FOPNL for consumer use.
 FOPNL should be accompanied by a consumer education/information programme to increase consumer
understanding and use of FOPNL in line with government recommendations.
 FOPNL should be monitored and evaluated to determine effectiveness and impact.
CXG 2-1985 16

NOTES

i
FAO and WHO. 1997. Guidelines for use of nutrition and health claims. Codex Alimentarius Guideline, No. CXG 23-
1997. Codex Alimentarius Commission. Rome.
ii
FAO and WHO. 1985. General standard for the labelling of pre-packaged Foods. Codex Alimentarius Standard, No.
CXS 1-1985) Codex Alimentarius Commission. Rome.
iii
FAO and WHO. 1985. Guidelines on nutrition labelling. Codex Alimentarius Guideline, No. CXG 2-1985 Codex
Alimentarius Commission. Rome.
iv
FAO and WHO. 1981. Standard for infant formula and formulas for special medical purposes intended for infants. Codex
Alimentarius Standard, No. CXS 72-1981. Codex Alimentarius Commission. Rome.
vFAO and WHO. 1987. Standard for follow-up formula. Codex Alimentarius Standard, No. CXS 156-1987 Codex
Alimentarius Commission. Rome.
vi
FAO and WHO. 1991. Standard for labelling of and claims for foods for special medical purposes. Codex Alimentarius
Standard, No. CXS 180-1991. Codex Alimentarius Commission. Rome.