5 Basic Elements that MUST be on Your Food Label - LabelTec, INC (2024)

The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has precise requirements for what to include on your food packaging labels. If you’re selling cannabis or CBD-infused products, you’ll want to check out this article on cannabis labeling requirements.

Here are the five elements that must go on every food label according to the FDA:

#1: Statement of Identity

Your product must be clearly identified on the package label. For example, a sauce jar label could have something like “Ethiopian Sauce. Made with 35 herbs and spices!”

You must also indicate the intended use. For instance, a honey jar could say, “Raw Organic Honey from the Rocky Mountains. Mix in your coffee or drizzle on top of your favorite toast.”

Most people know how to use the package’s food; however, suggestions are a great way to inspire a purchase.

#2: Net Weight

The net weight is the weight of the food or contents without packaging. Your net quantity statement needs to be on the front bottom 30% of your food label. It should also be on the outer package or box.

#3: Manufacturer Information

Include the name and address of the manufacturer, packer, or distributer. You’ll also need to include a qualifying phrase that describes your company’s relationship to the firm (‘distributed by,’ ‘manufactured for,’ etc.).

#4: Nutrition Facts

These next two are the big ones. They’re what your consumers are looking for while shopping.

Place the nutrition facts and ingredients on the same panel to make it easier for consumers to quickly find the information they need. The nutritional panel should include:

5 Basic Elements that MUST be on Your Food Label - LabelTec, INC (2024)

FAQs

What are the 5 elements required on all food labels? ›

To sell a retail product regulated by the FDA, the product label must contain five components: 1) statement of identity, 2) statement of net content, 3) Nutrition Facts, 4) ingredient statement with allergen labeling compliance, and 5) name and address of manufacturer, packer or distributor.

What are the 5 main things we find on a food label? ›

5 Basic Elements that MUST be on Your Food Label
  • Ingredients.
  • Sugar, fat, and sodium content.
  • Calorie counts and serving size.
  • Freshness.
  • Organic.
  • GMOs.
Jan 14, 2021

What are the 5 required pieces of information on food packaging? ›

Nutrition facts are required on all food packaging by law. They should be easy to find and understand. The label should list the serving size, the number of calories, and the amount of fat, sodium, carbohydrates, and protein in each serving.

What 5 major categories are on a food label? ›

The label breaks down the amount of calories, carbs, fat, fiber, protein, and vitamins per serving of the food, making it easier to compare the nutrition of similar products. Be sure to look at different brands of the same foods—nutrition information can differ a lot.

What is the 5 20 rule on food labels? ›

Use the 5-20 Rule

If the % DV is 5 or less then it is low in that nutrient, If the% DV is 20% or more then it is high in that nutrient. The %DV is based on a 2,000- calorie diet – your needs might be more or less than this.

What are the mandatory parts of a food label? ›

Most food labels must include:
  • a nutrition facts table, which shows: serving size. calories and nutrients. % daily value (% DV)
  • a list of ingredients, including: added sulphites. common allergens. gluten sources (when present as ingredients or components of ingredients)
Jan 8, 2024

What does the FDA require on food labels? ›

The Nutrition Labeling and Education Act (NLEA), which amended the FD&C Act requires most foods to bear nutrition labeling and requires food labels that bear nutrient content claims and certain health messages to comply with specific requirements.

What is most important on a food label? ›

Calories is an important number to many consumers. The label lists the calorie amount for one serving of food. The serving size, also important but often unnoticed, is easily doubled or tripled when not paying attention to the serving size, quickly inflating the calories.

What are the 5 required pieces of information that you need to label your lab materials with IE plates and tubes? ›

Though standards vary, labels affixed to containers should show basic information such as the name of the chemical, its concentration, hazards associated with it and the date it was prepared. And, if secondary containers are used, be sure to identify them as well.

What are the 4 main parts of a food label? ›

According to the US Food and Drug Administration, food labels can be broken down into four components: 1) serving information, 2) calories, 3) nutrients, and 4) daily value (%). The serving size is the typical amount of a specific food item that one would normally consume.

What are the 5 main food groups and their functions? ›

Enjoy food from each of the five food groups and you'll be getting a fantastic mix of the best nutrients and vitamins.
  • 1 Carbohydrates. Carbohydrates give you energy, calcium and B vitamins. ...
  • 2 Protein. ...
  • 3 Dairy products. ...
  • 4 Fruit and vegetables. ...
  • 5 Fats and sugars.

What are the 5 major food groups and how are they used in different dishes? ›

5 major food groups
  • vegetables and legumes or beans.
  • fruit.
  • lean meats and poultry, fish, eggs, tofu, nuts and seeds, legumes or beans.
  • grain (cereal) foods, mostly wholegrain or high cereal fibre varieties.
  • milk, yoghurt, cheese or alternatives, mostly reduced fat.

What are at least 5 of the mandatory nutrients on the nutrition label? ›

Which Nutrients Are Required to Be Listed on the Nutrition and Supplement Facts Labels? The Nutrition Facts label must list total fat, saturated fat, trans fat, cholesterol, sodium, total carbohydrate, dietary fiber, total sugars, added sugars, protein, and certain vitamins and minerals.

What is required on a food label in the US? ›

Under section 403 of the FD&C Act (21 USC § 343), every food label must contain the name of the food, a statement of the net quantity of contents (typically net weight), and the name and address of the manufacturer or distributor.

What are the mandatory Labelling requirements for FDA? ›

The mandatory labelling requirements are: Brand name Product name List of ingredients including common name and function of food additives Net weight Complete name and address of manufacturer, packer, distributor, trader or importer. For imported products, country of origin should be declared.

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