Express Micro Science (EMS), a food analysis laboratory in Scotland, has developed ‘Label’, a new food testing package designed to help businesses meet new calorie labelling legislation.

From 6 April, many food businesses in the UK will have to display calorie information of non-packaged food and soft drinks on their menus and food labels, according to new legislation.

“We developed Label to help restaurants and other businesses who are faced with this legislation for the first time,” said Jennifer Newton, Managing Director at EMS. “All they have to do is send in a sample of each meal, and we will send back all the information they need to comply, including the traffic light lozenge.’

EMS says Label is a full nutritional analysis package comprising of carbohydrates, energy, fat, protein, fibre, sugars, salt, and moisture to determine calorific information. According to the laboratory, it also verifies product claims, such as high protein, low fat, or similar, as well as allergens including gluten and histamine. Information is put into the standard front-of-pack (FOP) lozenge format (an easy-to-read traffic light system) so that customers can see the nutritional value of a product quickly and easily, according to EMS.

“For now, the legislation only applies to businesses with more than 250 employees, but as nutritional information in restaurants becomes more common, customers will start to expect it everywher,” added Newton. “Our Label packages mean that even small restaurants or cafes will be able to have their meals tested, which will give them an edge over their competition now and set them up for compliance if the legislation is extended to include them.’”

Alongside nutritional results, every Label package comes with a UKAS accredited Test Report, as well as a nutritional table and the FOP lozenge which are both provided as image files ready to use on menus and packaging.