Accurate nutritional data is the backbone of transparency in the modern supply chain for food and beverage items. In the Item Management (IM) platform, entering nutrient information for Global Data Synchronization Network (GDSN) items requires precision to ensure your products meet regulatory standards and retail requirements.
1. Getting started and accessing the Nutrition Module
- Open the Each/ lowest level of your hierarchy in IM
- Navigate to the Nutritional Information section (you will need to add/ activate the Food and Beverage Products, Most Popular, or a retailer playlist that reveals the Nutritional Information section, which, by default, is hidden in IM)
2. Populating the Nutrient Header
Before you can list individual nutrients like Fat or Sodium, you must establish the "context" for the data. This involves filling out the header attributes:
- Preparation State: Specify which product state the nutrient information applies to.
- Nutrient Basis Quantity: The amount that a nutrient is measured against. In some markets, this is required by regulation. For example, 100 gr, 100 ml, etc.
- Serving Size: Measurement value specifying the serving size or portion. Examples: Per 30 grams. 1/2 cup, etc.
- Serving Size Description: The description or additional information of the serving size for the product, for example: "1/3 cup, 42 g". Used to inform the consumer of the recommended serving size and any additional information upon which the nutrients and energy are based on.
3. Adding the Nutrient Codes and Related Information
- Select the Nutrient Code: Click the "Add" or "+" button within the Nutrient Detail segment. You can use the dropdown or search function to find the specific code in the Advanced or All Populated view.
- Example: FAT for Total Fat, PRO- for Protein, or VITA- for Vitamin A.
- Enter the Quantity: Input the numerical value found on your lab analysis or physical packaging.
- Specify the Unit of Measure (UOM): Select the correct unit (e.g., grams, micrograms, milligrams).
- Measurement Precision: Choose a code to indicate how the value was derived (e.g., Approximately, Exact, Less than).
4. Next Steps
Once you have entered all applicable nutrient codes:
- Check for Errors: Click the Validate button. Item Management will flag issues or missing mandatory related attributes.
- Save: Ensure your progress is saved.
- Publish: Once the data is valid and complete, submit it to your trading partners (retailers) to synchronize the item information and the nutritional data.
Additional Tips:
If you are managing a high volume of items, consider using the Excel Bulk Upload feature. You can download a template, populate the nutrient columns using the correct codes, and re-upload to add or update dozens or hundreds of GTINs simultaneously.
The Foodservice GS1 US Standards Initiative recommends populating nutritional, allergen, and ingredient attributes at the lowest level of the packaging hierarchy (typically the Consumer Unit/ Each).
Adding the wrong unit of measure - for example, switching between Milligrams (mg) and Micrograms (mcg) - can be a cause for your data to be rejected by retailers, so ensure the units of measure are entered correctly for each nutrient code.
Please see the list below for some of the most commonly used nutrient codes and their units of measurement:
|
Nutrient Name
|
Nutrient Code
|
Unit of Measure
|
|
Energy (Calories)
|
ENER-
|
kcal / kJ
|
|
Total Fat
|
FAT
|
g
|
|
Saturated Fat
|
FASAT
|
g
|
|
Carbohydrates
|
CHO
|
g
|
|
Sugars
|
SUGAR-
|
g
|
|
Protein
|
PRO-
|
g
|
|
Sodium
|
NA
|
mg / g
|
|
Dietary Fiber
|
FIBTG
|
g
|
|
Calciul
|
CA
|
mg
|
|
Iron
|
FE
|
mg
|
|
Vitamin C
|
VITC-
|
mg
|
For a full list of Nutrient Type Codes, please see https://navigator.gs1.org/gdsn/class-details?version=22&name=NutrientTypeCode .
Please see these additional helpful resources:
How to Populate Nutritional Information - IM Quick Sheet
How to Add Nutritional Data Outside Simple View - Using Advanced View
Adding Any Nutrient Code in Item Management
Please ask questions in the comments space below.
