Understanding Federal Food Labeling Rules

Are you thinking about selling food products? If so, you’ll need to make sure that your containers or packages are properly labeled according to U.S. Food and Drug Administration guidelines. Failure to follow federal food labeling rules can result in heavy fines or the removal of your products from store shelves, which can cause a big financial blow to your business. As long as you work with a professional food labeling company in Tucson, you’ll be sure that your products are in no danger of violating federal labeling rules. So you know what these rules entail, here’s a look at some important labeling regulations you’ll need to follow.

Label Statement Placement

All required label statements must be placed on the front label panel, also known as the principal display panel (PDP), or on the information panel, which is the panel immediately to the right of the PDP as seen by the consumer facing the product. Depending on the container or package you use, there may be two or more different suitable PDPs. The use of alternate PDPs is up to your discretion according to FDA labeling requirements.

Size, Prominence, and Conspicuousness

For information panel labeling, the print or type size must be at least one-sixteenth inch in height based on the lower case letter “o” and must not be more than three times as high as the letter are wide. The letter must also contrast sufficiently with the background so as to be easy to read.

Manufacturer/Distributor Information

All food labels must list the name and address of the manufacturer or distributer (as well as a qualifying phrase which states the firm’s relation to the product, such as “manufactured by” or “distributed by”), street address (of not listed in a current city directory or telephone book), city, state, and ZIP code. Food items being exported to or imported from other countries have additional requirements.

Miles Label Company, Inc. can satisfy all of your food labeling needs. In addition to our familiarity and compliance with all federal food labeling rules, we can help you design packaging that is attractive and aesthetically luring. Call us toll-free at (800) 331-1897 to learn more about our label design and printing services.