Foodstuffs for particular nutritional use

Foodstuffs for particular nutritional uses (PARNUT) are foodstuffs which, owing to their special composition or manufacturing process, are clearly distinguishable from foodstuffs for normal consumption. Due to these differences in the composition or the manufacturing process, foodstuffs for particular nutritional uses are suitable to persons whose digestive processes or metabolism are disturbed or persons who are in a special physiological condition and who are therefore able to obtain special benefit from controlled consumption of certain substances in foodstuffs.

Foodstuffs for particular nutritional uses include, among others, baby foods, gluten-free foods, low-lactose and lactose-free foods. Foodstuffs for particular nutritional uses also include e.g. low-sodium foods, dietary foods for special medical purposes and some products designed for weight control and for sportsmen. It is at the food operator’s own discretion to decide to place the product on the market as a foodstuff for particular nutritional use. The Finnish Food Safety Authority can, if required, become involved in the classification of a foodstuff as a foodstuff for particular nutritional use, if e.g. it is necessary to evaluate whether a foodstuff is a foodstuff for particular nutritional use or not. 

Related topics

For more information in Finnish:

• Elintarvikkeiden ravintoarvomerkinnät  Opas merkintöjen tekijöille ja valvojille 12/2001 (Nutrition declaration of foodstuffs. Guide for designing and controlling declarations 12/2001).
• Pakkausmerkintäopas (PDF) (opas päivitetty 12/08) (Food labelling guidelines)