Must-Have Label Requirements for Food Manufacturing
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When it comes to food products, the labels you put on them serve far more than just informing customers about the contents inside. They play a critical role in ensuring your business stays compliant with regulations, maintains brand integrity, and reassures customers about the choices they make. High-quality vision systems can significantly help you meet the stringent label requirements for food production by ensuring precision in label placement. These systems integrate seamlessly into your quality assurance processes, eliminating errors that could otherwise damage your brand's reputation and compliance status.
Discover more about the essential label requirements for food production and how TDI Packsys can assist you in staying compliant.
At the heart of every label are the core requirements set by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA). Most food manufacturers in the U.S. must adhere to these guidelines, and each state may have additional specific rules that apply to local producers.
The first and perhaps most important aspect is the Statement of Identity. This statement should clearly define the product by its common or usual name and, if applicable, its form—such as sliced, grated, or diced. It should be prominently displayed in bold typeface, making it the focal point of the label. This statement should ideally appear on the Principal Display Panel (PDP), which is the front-facing label panel where consumers are most likely to see it.
Next up is the Net Quantity of Contents statement. This must be placed in the bottom 30 percent of the PDP, running parallel to the base of the packaging. It’s crucial to display this information in both metric and standard units, such as ounces and grams.
The Ingredient List is another vital component, listing ingredients in descending order of predominance by weight. Each ingredient should be named using its common term—for instance, "sugar" instead of "sucrose." This clarity helps customers easily recognize and understand what’s in your product.
Additionally, the label must include the name and address of the manufacturer, packer, or distributor. This information should clarify the entity’s relationship to the product, such as “Manufactured by†or “Packaged by.†If the address isn’t listed in a current city directory, it must be included on the label.
Nutrition labeling is mandatory for most food manufacturers, with exemptions for small businesses or products with negligible nutritional value. The placement and content of this information must comply with strict FDA regulations.
Nutrition Facts panels should be box-shaped, even for round packages, and positioned next to the ingredient list and manufacturer details. The panel must follow specific font types and sizes set by the FDA. It should detail serving size, servings per container, calories, cholesterol, total fat, saturated fat, trans fat, dietary fiber, total carbohydrates, sodium, protein, sugars, and vitamins.
Daily Values (%DV) should be specified for each nutrient listed, expressed as a percentage based on the FDA’s guidelines. For instance, if a product contains 10g of added sugars per serving, the %DV would be 20%, given the recommended daily value of 50g.
Calorie labeling follows specific rules, with the number of calories per serving clearly stated, alongside the calories from fat. The FDA allows rounding to the nearest five-calorie increment, with products containing five or fewer calories per serving labeled as "zero."
Nutrient Content Claims (NCCs) describe the nutrient levels in your product using terms like “low,†“high,†or “free.†Before using such claims, review the FDA’s requirements carefully to ensure your product qualifies.
Allergen labeling is equally critical. Under the Food Allergen Labeling and Consumer Protection Act of 2004 (FALCPA), major allergens such as milk, eggs, fish, crustacean shellfish, tree nuts, wheat, peanuts, and soybeans must be clearly identified. You can either mention these allergens alongside their common names in the ingredient list or include a “Contains†statement after the list.
Date labeling, while not mandatory for most products, can enhance consumer confidence in your product’s freshness. Expiration dates indicate peak quality, whereas “Best by†and “Use by†dates refer to optimal taste and consumption deadlines, respectively.
Special requirements apply to organic, GMO, kosher, halal, and dietary-restricted foods. Meeting these requirements ensures your product meets the expectations of specific consumer groups.
Ensuring food safety and regulatory compliance safeguards your business against liabilities and guarantees product quality. From preventing foodborne illnesses to implementing effective product recall procedures, compliance is key.
TDI Packsys offers advanced vision inspection systems to help you meet these requirements with precision. Contact us at 877-834-6750 to learn more about our inspection and packaging solutions.
In summary, meeting label requirements is not just about following regulations—it’s about building trust and maintaining a competitive edge in the market.