Guide
Food label requirements, in plain words
What has to be on a packaged food sold in US stores, where it goes, and when a small maker can skip the Nutrition Facts panel.
The five things every label needs
| What | Where | What it means |
|---|---|---|
| Name of the food | Front (principal display panel) | The common name, such as "Roasted Tomato Salsa", in bold type and parallel to the base of the pack. |
| Net quantity | Bottom 30% of the front | Weight or volume in both US and metric units, for example "NET WT 16 OZ (454 g)". |
| Nutrition Facts | Front or the panel to its right | The panel, unless the food qualifies for an exemption (below). |
| Ingredient list | Same panel as your name and address | Every ingredient by its common name, heaviest first, sub-ingredients in brackets. |
| Name and place of business | Same panel | Who makes, packs or distributes it, with city, state and ZIP. |
Allergens
If the food contains any of the nine major allergens (milk, eggs, fish, shellfish, tree nuts, peanuts, wheat, soybeans and sesame), say so in the ingredient list or in a "Contains" line right after it, naming the specific nut, fish or shellfish.
When a small maker can skip the panel
- Your total yearly sales are $500,000 or less, or your food sales are $50,000 or less: no panel needed and no notice to file.
- Low-volume products: fewer than 100 full-time employees and fewer than 100,000 units of that product a year, with a yearly notice to FDA. Under 10 employees and 10,000 units, no notice is needed.
- The exemption ends if the label makes a nutrient or health claim, such as "low fat".
A summary to help you plan, not legal advice. The rules are in 21 CFR 101. We check your exact pack and claims before you print.
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