Science Buddies: "Ask an Expert"

I am a ninth grade student interested in studying the probiotic drink kefir, and I am interested in methods of deriving nutritional information (i. e. calories, fat content, fiber, etc.) Could you explain how Nutrition Facts are found?

Hi,

These facts are developed by chemical analysis. For example, to determine fat the food is ground up and then broken down, using acids or enzymes Speical dyes are used to determine the fat, protein, etc. It would be challenging to set up all of these methods in a sixth grade laboratory. I was wondering if you have tried to contact a manufacturer? If the product is sold in the US, there is a change that this information is already available from the manufacturer.

Steve