Nutrition analysis refers to the process of determining the nutritional content of foods and food products. The process can be performed through a variety of certified methods.
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Traditionally, food companies would send food samples to laboratories for chemical testing. Chemical testing involves the incineration of the foods to test the ash for exact nutritional content.
Software is available as an alternative to laboratory nutrition analysis. This software typically utilizes a database of ingredients that have previously been laboratory tested. The user can input ingredient data by matching their ingredients to ingredients found in the database; the analysis can then be calculated.
In recent years, web-based nutrition analysis software services have become more popular. Online nutrition analysis allows users to access online databases and draw from certified ingredients to produce instant nutrition information.
In the United States, nutrition information is required on packaged retail foods in the form of nutrition facts panels as a result of food labeling regulations.[1] In recent years, many restaurants have begun posting nutrition information as a result of both customer demand and menu-labeling laws.[2]
Recently many state and local menu-labeling laws have been passed requiring restaurants to post nutrition information on menus and menu boards, or have it readily available upon customer request.[3] Restaurants have had to perform nutrition analysis in order to generate nutrition information and conform to these laws. More recently national legislation has been introduced that would set a national standard for menu labeling, the most popular of which is the LEAN act.
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