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 basic elements that must be on your 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 food label requirements? ›

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 5 things to look at on a food label? ›

Check out what you can learn from the Nutrition Facts label.
  • Serving Size and Servings Per Container. Serving size is based on the amount that people typically eat. ...
  • Calories. ...
  • Percent Daily Values. ...
  • Total Fat. ...
  • Saturated Fat and Trans Fat. ...
  • Unsaturated Fat. ...
  • Cholesterol. ...
  • Sodium.

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

Nutrition labels must display the amount of energy (calories and kilojoules) and the amount of fat, saturated fat, carbohydrates, sugars, proteins and salt (all expressed in grams) present in 100g (or 100 ml) of the food.

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 are the 5 main regulations listed in order for foods to be label organic? ›

What requirements do organic products have to meet? Organic products must be produced using agricultural production practices that foster resource cycling, promote ecological balance, maintain and improve soil and water quality, minimize the use of synthetic materials, and conserve biodiversity.

What are the 5 food groups labels? ›

What are the five food groups?
  • Fruit and vegetables.
  • Starchy food.
  • Dairy.
  • Protein.
  • Fat.

What are the basic food Labelling? ›

These labels must include the amount of energy in kilojoules (kJ) and kilocalories (kcal), usually referred to as calories. They must also include information on fat, saturates (saturated fat), carbohydrate, sugars, protein and salt. They may also include other nutrients, like fibre.

What are 5 main topics or sections that you will find on 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 is the 5 20 rule on food labels? ›

The 5/20 rule of nutrition can help guide grocery shoppers when looking at nutrition labels. It indicates that a 20% or more daily value of any nutrient is a high amount, while 5% or less is low. If you're looking for low sodium, for example, make sure the daily value is 5% or lower.

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.

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

Five Basic Label Requirements
  • Identity of food in package form. ...
  • Name of manufacturer, packer, or distributor. ...
  • Place of business. ...
  • Ingredient declaration. ...
  • Net quantity of contents.

What are the 5 key nutrients? ›

Nutrients are normally divided into five categories: Water, protein, carbohydrates, minerals, and vitamins. Water is the main constituent of the body. Two‐thirds of the body is water, thus, an animal can live much longer without feed than water. Water helps the body digest food and carries nutrients to body tissues.

What are the 6 things on a food label? ›

Making Food Labels Work for You
  • Serving Size. Always start with the serving size. ...
  • Calories. A calorie is a way to measure how much energy a food provides to your body. ...
  • Percent Daily Value. Percent daily value is most useful for seeing if a food is high or low in nutrients: ...
  • Fat. ...
  • Cholesterol. ...
  • Sodium. ...
  • Total Carbohydrate. ...
  • Fiber.

What five components must be listed on a food label Quizlet? ›

Q-Chat
  • How can reading the food label help you improve your diet? ...
  • Five components must be included on a food label. ...
  • A statement of identity food label. ...
  • The net contents of the package for food labels. ...
  • Ingredient list for food labels. ...
  • The name and address of the food manufacture packer or distributor for food labels.

What is required to be included on a food label? ›

Food labels must include directions for use and storage if the possible threat to your health and safety is greater than if you didn't have this information. Following these directions keeps the food safe until its use-by date. Examples of such directions are 'refrigerate after opening' or 'store away from sunlight'.

Top Articles
Latest Posts
Article information

Author: Terrell Hackett

Last Updated:

Views: 5357

Rating: 4.1 / 5 (72 voted)

Reviews: 95% of readers found this page helpful

Author information

Name: Terrell Hackett

Birthday: 1992-03-17

Address: Suite 453 459 Gibson Squares, East Adriane, AK 71925-5692

Phone: +21811810803470

Job: Chief Representative

Hobby: Board games, Rock climbing, Ghost hunting, Origami, Kabaddi, Mushroom hunting, Gaming

Introduction: My name is Terrell Hackett, I am a gleaming, brainy, courageous, helpful, healthy, cooperative, graceful person who loves writing and wants to share my knowledge and understanding with you.