What are the required label statements on Foods?

A - The law states that required label information must be conspicuously displayed and in terms that the ordinary consumer is likely to read and understand under ordinary conditions of purchase and use (Sec. 403(f)).

Details concerning type sizes, location, etc., of required label in formation are contained in United States of America Food and Drug Administration regulations (21 CFR 101), which cover the requirements of both the Federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act and the Fair Packaging and Labeling Act. The Food labeling requirements in the regulations are summarized as follows:

1. With a few exceptions, if the label of a food bears representations in a foreign language, the label must bear all of the required statements in the foreign language, as well as in English. (Note-The Tariff Act of 1930 (19 United States of America C. 130461) requires all imported articles to be marked with the English name of the country of origin.)

2. If the food is packaged, the following statements must appear on the label in the English language:
   • The name, street address, city, State and zip code of either the manufacturer, packer, or distributor. The street address may be omitted by a firm listed in a current city or telephone directory. A firm whose address is outside the USA may omit the zip code. If the food is not manufactured by the person or company whose name appears on the label, the name must be qualified by "Manufactured for," "Distributed by," or similar expression.
   • An accurate statement of the net amount of food in the package. Both the Federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act and the Fair Packaging and Labeling Act require that a food, in package form, bear a label with an accurate statement of the quantity of the contents in terms of weight, measure, or numerical count. Regulations interpreting these statutory requirements in 21 CFR 101.105 require that the statement appear on the principal display panel in terms of the customary inch/pound system of measure. The statement must appear in lines usually parallel to the base of the package when displayed for sale. If the area of the principal display panel of the package is larger than 5 square inches, the statement must appear within the lower 30% of the label panel. Also, with certain limited exceptions, the statement must appear in conspicuous and easily legible boldface print or type in distinct contrast to other matter on the package. Further, the statement must meet the type size set forth in 21 CFR 101.105.

     However, the Fair Packaging and Labeling Act was amended by Public Law 102-329 to require that labels printed on or after February 14, 1994, bear a statement of the quantity of the contents in terms of the SI metric system as well as in terms of the customary inch/pound system of measure. At the time of the printing of this pamphlet, United States of America Food and Drug Administration anticipated that regulations about how metric statements must appear on labels would be published in 1996 or 1997. Firms should review the new regulations when they publish since there will be several changes in existing requirements in 21 CFR 101.105. Because the Fair Packaging and Labeling Act pertains only to consumer commodities, metric statements of quantity are not required where products are not marketed to customers.

   • Drained weight rather than net weight is required on some products packed in a liquid that is not consumed as food, such as olives in brine.

   • The common or usual name of a food must appear on the principal display panel, in bold type and in lines usually parallel to the base of the package as it is displayed. The form of the product must also be included--"sliced,""whole," or "chopped" (or other style)--unless shown by a picture or unless the product is visible through the container (21 CFR 101.3). If there is a standard for the food, the complete name designated in the standard must be used (Sec. 403(g) and 21 CFR 101.3).

   • The ingredients in a food must be listed by their common or usual names in decreasing order of their predominance by weight. The word "ingredients" does not refer to the chemical composition, but means the individual food components of a mixed food. If a certain ingredient is the characterizing one in a food (e.g., shrimp in shrimp cocktail) the% of that ingredient may be required as part of the name of the food.

     Food additives and colors are required to be listed as ingredients, but the law exempts butter, cheese, and ice cream from having to show the use of color, with the exception of FD&C Yellow No. 5 whose presence must be declared on all foods. Spices, flavors, and colors may be listed as such, without naming the specific materials, except that any artificial colors or flavors must be identified as such, and all certified colors must be named specifically (Secs. 403(I) and 403(k)).

   • Nutrition information must be provided on the label for almost all packaged food products intended for sale to the consumer. As discussed in more detail below, the regulations specify the nutrition information that must be on the label and the format in which it is to be presented. Regulations also prescribe conditions under which nutrient content claims or health claims may be made on the label or in labeling for a food product. The regulations also identify those instances where a food product is exempt from all or certain of the requirements for nutrition labeling.

Food Labeling and Nutritional Information