Nutrition Panel vs. Nutritional Panel: What Is the Correct Term?
Learn the difference between nutrition and nutritional, and understand the correct terms for a Nutrition Panel, Nutritional Panel and Canadian Nutrition Facts table.
Nutrition Panel vs. Nutritional Panel: What Is the Correct Term?
People searching for food-labelling services often use several similar expressions, including Nutrition Panel, Nutritional Panel, Nutrition Facts Panel, Canadian Nutrition Table and Nutrition Facts Table Canada. Although these phrases are commonly used interchangeably, they do not all have the same grammatical or regulatory meaning.
Understanding the terminology is especially important for food businesses preparing labels for Canada or the United States.
What Is the Difference Between Nutrition and Nutritional?
Nutrition is a noun. It refers to the process of obtaining and using nutrients from food.
Examples include:
Nutrition analysis
Nutrition information
Nutrition labelling
Nutrition requirements
Nutrition Facts table
Nutritional is an adjective. It describes something related to the nutrients, nourishment or nutritional qualities of a food.
Examples include:
Nutritional value
Nutritional content
Nutritional quality
Nutritional assessment
Nutritional information
Both words are correct, but their appropriate use depends on the phrase and its intended meaning.
Is It Called a Nutrition Panel or a Nutritional Panel?
Both Nutrition Panel and Nutritional Panel are used in everyday searches. Most people using either expression are looking for the section of a food label that displays calories, fat, carbohydrates, protein, sodium, vitamins and minerals.
However, Nutritional Panel is not the official regulatory name used in Canada or the United States.
“Nutrition Panel” is understandable as a general or informal description, while “Nutritional Panel” describes a panel containing nutritional information. Businesses may use these terms conversationally, but regulated food labels must follow the terminology and format required in the intended market.
What Is the Official Canadian Term?
In Canada, the official term is Nutrition Facts table, commonly abbreviated as NFt.
Most prepackaged foods sold in Canada must display a Nutrition Facts table unless they qualify for a specific exemption. The Canadian table must follow prescribed requirements concerning:
Serving size
Calories and nutrients
Percentage Daily Value
English and French presentation
Nutrient order
Rounding rules
Font sizes and spacing
Lines and formatting
Available display surface
Although consumers may search for a Canadian Nutrition Table, Canadian Nutrition Panel or Canada nutrition label, businesses should use the official term Nutrition Facts table when preparing packaging for the Canadian market.
What Is the Official U.S. Term?
In the United States, the official consumer-facing term is Nutrition Facts label. The expression Nutrition Facts Panel is also widely used by food businesses, label consultants and software providers.
A U.S. Nutrition Facts Panel is not interchangeable with a Canadian Nutrition Facts table. The two countries have different requirements for serving sizes, nutrient declarations, Daily Values, rounding rules, bilingual presentation and formatting.
A food product intended for both countries usually requires a separate label format for each market.
Learn more about the differences between a Canadian Nutrition Facts Table and a U.S. Nutrition Facts Panel.
Is Nutritional Information the Same as a Nutrition Facts Table?
Not necessarily.
Nutritional information is a broad term that may refer to nutrient values in a report, spreadsheet, database, laboratory certificate or product specification.
A Nutrition Facts table is the regulated presentation of selected nutrient information on a Canadian food label.
Before nutrient values can be placed in the table, they must be determined through an appropriate method, such as:
Recipe-based nutrition analysis
Supplier specifications
Recognized nutrient databases
Laboratory analysis
Yield and moisture-loss calculations
Nutrient-retention adjustments
The resulting values must then be rounded and displayed according to Canadian requirements.
Why Is the Correct Terminology Important?
Using accurate terminology helps food businesses communicate clearly with consultants, laboratories, graphic designers, printers and regulatory authorities.
For example, a request for “nutritional information” could mean only a nutrient report. A request for a “Canadian Nutrition Facts table” clearly indicates that a formatted, bilingual table for Canadian packaging is required.
Correct terminology also helps prevent a U.S. Nutrition Facts Panel from being placed on packaging intended for sale in Canada.
Can I Use a Canadian Nutrition Label Template?
A Canada nutrition label template can help a designer understand the general appearance of a Nutrition Facts table, but a blank template alone is not sufficient.
The correct format depends on factors such as:
Package size
Available display surface
Product category
Serving size
Required and voluntarily declared nutrients
Whether a standard, narrow, horizontal or other permitted format is needed
The nutrient values must also be calculated, rounded and entered correctly. Copying another product’s table or using a generic online template can result in an inaccurate or non-compliant label.
Which Search Term Should a Food Business Use?
If your product will be sold in Canada, the most precise search terms are:
Canadian Nutrition Facts table
Nutrition Facts Table Canada
Canadian nutrition label
Canada nutrition label template
Canadian nutrition analysis
Canadian food-label compliance
If the product will be sold in the United States, appropriate terms include:
U.S. Nutrition Facts Panel
Nutrition Facts label
FDA nutrition label
U.S. nutrition analysis
Searching for Nutritional Panel or Nutrition Panel may still lead you to relevant services, but always confirm that the provider prepares the correct format for your intended country of sale.
Preparing the Correct Panel for Your Product
Whether you call it a Nutrition Panel, Nutritional Panel or Canadian Nutrition Table, the final label must meet the requirements of the market where the product will be sold.
Nutrition Facts Expert provides recipe-based nutrition analysis, Canadian bilingual Nutrition Facts tables, U.S. Nutrition Facts Panels and food-label compliance reviews for packaged food businesses.
If you need help determining the appropriate serving size, calculating nutrient values or selecting the correct format, send us your recipe, ingredient specifications, finished yield and product details.
Request a Quote
Need a Canadian Nutrition Facts table or U.S. Nutrition Facts Panel for your food product? Contact Nutrition Facts Expert for a personalized quotation.
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Canada
Contact
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Nutrition Facts Expert Canada
Nutrition Analysis and Food-Labelling Support for Canada and the U.S.
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