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 pieces of information that can be found on a food label? ›

Anatomy of a Nutrition Facts Label
  • Serving Size. This is where you find out how much is considered a single serving of the product. ...
  • Total Calories. This number ties right in to the serving size. ...
  • Cholesterol. ...
  • Fats - Saturated and Trans. ...
  • Sodium. ...
  • Total Carbohydrates - Fiber and Sugar. ...
  • Protein. ...
  • Vitamins and Other Nutrients.
Jan 31, 2018

What elements are included on a food label? ›

The food label will tell you all sorts of information, including:
  • what the food is.
  • manufacturer's details.
  • nutrition information.
  • ingredients.
  • weights and measures of product.
  • date marking.
  • directions for use and storage.
  • country of origin.

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 basic elements in food in order? ›

Students learn about the basic components of food-proteins, carbohydrates, fats, vitamins, minerals, water and micronutrients.

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 five food groups? ›

As the MyPlate icon shows, the five food groups are Fruits, Vegetables, Grains, Protein Foods, and Dairy. The 2015-2020 Dietary Guidelines for Americans emphasizes the importance of an overall healthy eating pattern with all five groups as key building blocks, plus oils.

What should be on the label? ›

Aside from the product name, company logo, and product description, there may be other pieces of information you'll need to make room for on your label. Gather the product's ingredient list, special certifications, bar code, and other essential information before incorporating brand messaging.

What are 4 things you should look for on a food label? ›

There must be an indication on the nutritional label of how much energy (calories and kilojoules) the food provides as well as how much fat, saturated fat, carbohydrates, sugars, proteins, and salt it contains (all expressed in grams).

What are the 6 requirements on a food label? ›

Food Product Labeling and Packaging 101
  • Statement of identity, or name of the food.
  • Net quantity of contents, or amount of product.
  • Nutrition Facts Label.
  • Ingredient Statement.
  • Allergen Declaration.
  • Name and address of the manufacturer, packer, or distributor.

Top Articles
Latest Posts
Article information

Author: Corie Satterfield

Last Updated:

Views: 5950

Rating: 4.1 / 5 (42 voted)

Reviews: 81% of readers found this page helpful

Author information

Name: Corie Satterfield

Birthday: 1992-08-19

Address: 850 Benjamin Bridge, Dickinsonchester, CO 68572-0542

Phone: +26813599986666

Job: Sales Manager

Hobby: Table tennis, Soapmaking, Flower arranging, amateur radio, Rock climbing, scrapbook, Horseback riding

Introduction: My name is Corie Satterfield, I am a fancy, perfect, spotless, quaint, fantastic, funny, lucky person who loves writing and wants to share my knowledge and understanding with you.