Original scientific paper
https://doi.org/10.24141/1/12/2/1
Verification of the accuracy of nutrition declarations on functional foods and dietary supplements enriched with omega-3 fatty acids
Jasna Bošnir
; Nastavni zavod za javno zdravstvo „Dr. Andrija Štampar”, Zagreb, Hrvatska
*
Iva Lenart
; Fakultet zdravstvenih studija, Rijeka, Hrvatska
Sonja Serdar
; Nastavni zavod za javno zdravstvo „Dr. Andrija Štampar”, Zagreb, Hrvatska
Srđan Milovac
; Nastavni zavod za javno zdravstvo „Dr. Andrija Štampar”, Zagreb, Hrvatska
Dario Lasić
; Nastavni zavod za javno zdravstvo „Dr. Andrija Štampar”, Zagreb, Hrvatska
Maja Budeč
; Nastavni zavod za javno zdravstvo „Dr. Andrija Štampar”, Zagreb, Hrvatska
Alen Župan
; Ustanova Dobri dom, Zagreb, Hrvatska
Danijela Čiš
; Specijalna bolnica za plućne bolesti, Zagreb, Hrvatska
Aleksandar Racz
; Zdravstveno veleučilište u Zagrebu, Hrvatska
* Corresponding author.
Abstract
Nutrition labels provide consumers with essential information
about the nutritional composition of food
products; however, numerous studies have indicated
that such information may be inaccurate. Functional
foods and dietary supplements enriched with omega-3
fatty acids represent a growing segment of the market,
particularly in the context of disease prevention and
health promotion. Therefore, the aim of this study was
to analytically assess the accuracy of declared nutritional
values on such products available on the Croatian
market.
The study included twenty samples of functional foods
and dietary supplements containing omega-3 fatty acids.
Samples were randomly selected from retail outlets
and analyzed in an accredited laboratory using internationally
recognized analytical methods. The measured
values for fats, omega-3 fatty acids, carbohydrates, sugars,
proteins, salt, and energy content were compared
with the declared values on product labels.
The analysis revealed that most of the tested products
showed discrepancies between the declared and measured
nutritional values. The most frequent differences
were observed in fat content, saturated fatty acids, and
omega-3 fatty acids.
These results highlight the need for greater accuracy
and stricter regulatory control of nutritional labeling,
especially within the category of functional foods and
dietary supplements. Accurate labeling is essential for
enabling informed dietary choices, particularly among
vulnerable consumer groups and in the context of public
health.
Keywords
labeling; dietary supplements; functional foods; nutritional value; omega-3 fatty acids
Hrčak ID:
346601
URI
Publication date:
28.4.2026.
Visits: 72 *