March 13, 2018
How you calculate Calories for your food product depends largely on where you will sell your product and the laws governing the food labeling in that country or region. This blog will cover the Calorie calculation methods used in the U.S., Canada, Mexico, and the European Union. In the U.S., there are six accepted methods. The two most frequently used are the 4-4-9 formula and the Atwater method. For more information, see the U.S. food labeling regulations, Title 21, in the National Archives. For more information, see the Canadian food labeling regulations on the government’s Justice website. The declared values in the nutrition table are average values and must be based on:Calorie Calculations in theUnited States
Calorie Calculations in Canada
Calorie Calculations in theEuropean Union
- Total value. A calculation from the known or actual average values of the ingredients used.
- Known data. A calculation from generally established and accepted data.
- Estimates. (The same concept as 4-4-9 and 4-4-9-7) The energy value to be declared shall be calculated using the following conversion factors:
- carbohydrate (except polyols): 17 kJ/g (4 Cal/g)
- polyols: 10 kJ/g (2,4 Cal/g)
- protein: 17 kJ/g (4 Cal/g)
- fat: 37 kJ/g (9 Cal/g)
- salatrims: 25 kJ/g (6 Cal/g)
- alcohol (ethanol), 29 kJ/g (7 Cal/g)
- organic acid: 13 kJ/g (3 Cal/g)
- fibre: 8 kJ/g (2 Cal/g)
- erythritol: 0 kJ/g (0 Cal/g)
Visit the EU’s legal website (EUR-Lex) for more information on EU food labeling regulations.
Calorie Calculations in Mexico
- 4-4-9. The amount of energy to be declared must be calculated using the following conversion factors:
- Carbohydrates available: 4 kcal/g (17 kJ/g)
- Proteins: 4 kcal/g(17 kJ/g)
- Fats: 9 kcal/g(37 kJ/g)
- Calculation of proteins. The amount of protein to be indicated should be calculated using the following formula: Protein = total nitrogen content X 6.25
Visit Mexico’s DOF website to see the full regulations on food labeling in Mexico.
Verify your Calculations with Check Data
The Check Data feature in Genesis R&D Foods warns you if the calorie components you have entered (Protein, Carbs, Fat) do not equal the calorie total you have entered. Genesis R&D Foods uses 4-4-9 to determine values. To learn more about how Genesis uses the Check Data feature watch our ingredient accuracy tutorial.
Tag(s): Product Formulation , Food Labeling , Industry Regulations
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Alright, buckle up because we're diving into the nitty-gritty of Calorie calculations in the U.S., Canada, Mexico, and the European Union. No need for a formal introduction here; let's get straight to the juicy details.
Firstly, in the United States, the go-to methods are the 4-4-9 formula and the Atwater method. The 4-4-9 method assumes each gram of protein contributes 4 Calories, each gram of carbohydrates contributes 4 Calories, and each gram of fat contributes 9 Calories. On the other hand, the Atwater method, used by the USDA SR database, employs more precise figures based on food types.
But wait, there's more in the U.S.! An adjusted 4-4-9 accounts for non-digestible carbohydrates and sugar alcohols. Soluble non-digestible carbs get a factor of 2 Calories per gram, and specific factors for various sugar alcohols are listed, thanks to the FDA. Plus, there's bomb calorimetry—burning food to measure heat release, directly convertible to Calories. It's like a fiery science experiment to determine your food's energy content.
Now, let's hop across the border to Canada. They also love the Atwater method and have their own twist with the 4-4-9-7 formula. This one factors in alcohol and includes values for kilojoules. Protein, carbs, and fat follow the same Calorie contributions as in the U.S., but alcohol brings 7 Calories to the party. And don't forget about the adjustments for fiber, with specific values for different fiber sources.
Next stop, the European Union. Their declared values in nutrition tables are average values, based on total value, known data, or estimates. Carbs, proteins, fats, and other components have specific conversion factors for energy value. It's a meticulous process, ensuring the accuracy of the nutritional information provided.
Lastly, in Mexico, it's a bit more straightforward. They stick to the classic 4-4-9 method for carbohydrates, proteins, and fats. For proteins, there's a specific formula involving total nitrogen content multiplied by 6.25. Mexico keeps it simple yet effective.
And hey, if you want to double-check your calculations, there's a nifty feature called Check Data in Genesis R&D Foods. It's your digital guardian making sure your protein, carbs, and fat values add up to the total Calories. It uses the reliable 4-4-9 method, so you can trust the numbers.
For those hungry for more regulations and details, you can visit the respective government websites—National Archives for the U.S., Justice website for Canada, EUR-Lex for the EU, and Mexico's DOF website.
There you have it, a feast of information on how Calories are calculated across borders. Bon appétit!