Calories calculation/identification in DIC is a service provided by URS Laboratory that consists of determining the caloric value of foods. This test can be performed on a variety of products, such as cereals, beverages, sweets, snacks and more. The procedure involves measuring the heat released by the food during digestion or by measuring the amount of oxygen taken up during fermentation and then calculating its caloric value based on this measurement.
It is mandatory to report the number of calories in prepackaged food products (ready-to-eat, not heat-treated) sold in markets and non supermarket retail (on-the-go, unpackaged). Calories calculation/identification in DIC is the basis for a nutrition declaration for most food products.
In order to ensure the compliance of your products (ready-to-eat meals, pre packaged, etc.) with the regulation regarding nutrition labelling, manufacturers must participate in calories calculation/identification in DIC to measure the calories for them.
You also need to demonstrate that you manufacture your products under constant conditions in terms of nutritional characteristics (macronutrients and micronutrients). The number of calories in the food product you are about to place on the market is important for the number of consumers that you want to appeal to.
The procedure of calories calculation in DIC
In order to determine the caloric content of a food product, it must be submitted in its final form. This means that if there are multiple ingredients that make up the final product, each ingredient should be analysed separately. For example, if a cookie has sugar, flour, eggs and butter as its main ingredients, each ingredient will be analysed separately and then added together to determine the total calorie count.
The method used for determining the number of calories in a food product is based on a process called bomb calorimetry. This process works by burning a sample of food in an oxygen-free environment and measuring how much energy is released from this process. The amount of energy released from this process can then be used to calculate the number of calories present in the sample. The results are expressed as kilocalories per gram (kcal/g).
In addition to determining the total number of calories present in a given food product, it’s also possible to identify which nutrients are present within that sample using this technique.
Calories Identification Requirements in DIC, UAE
As a food manufacturer or importer, you may have been asked to submit your products for calories calculation/identification. Current legislation on calories calculation/identification in DIC stipulates that all food manufacturers and importers who are required to provide calorie information information on their pre-packaged products that are sold in retail stores and supermarkets. In addition, it provides guidance on how to calculate calories from raw materials or ingredients used in the manufacturing process. This is to provide consumers with accurate information about what is inside each product, so they can make informed decisions about what they eat.
The standards are:
- All food products must have a nutrition fact panel on the label which includes calories per serving, total fat, saturated fat, trans fat, cholesterol, sodium and carbohydrates (total sugars).
- The nutrition fact panel should be clear and easy to read by consumers at first glance.
The most important thing to remember when choosing a laboratory to perform the Calories calculation/identification in DIC is to choose a laboratory that has experience in performing this type of analysis. URS Laboratories has experience in food safety, quality assurance, nutrition and ingredient testing. Our facilities are equipped with state-of-the-art technology and highly trained experts, which allows us to provide a high level of service at competitive rates.