Does your food packaging meet the six key requirements outlined in federal labeling laws? Here’s a quick guide to help you stay compliant:

• Statement of Identity
• Net Quantity of Contents
• Nutrition Labeling
• Ingredient Statement
• Allergen Declaration
• Name and Place of Business

Statement of Identity
This is the common or usual name of your product as defined by law. You can find guidance in the Code of Federal Regulations (Title 21, Parts 102 and 130–169). If no standard exists, use a name that clearly and accurately describes the product.

Net Quantity of Contents
This indicates the weight or volume of the food product as packaged. It must appear in both U.S. customary units (e.g., ounces, pounds, fluid ounces) and metric units (e.g., grams, kilograms, milliliters, liters). If the product weighs more than one pound, include both pounds and ounces (e.g., 1 lb 4 oz for 20 oz). The metric equivalent should follow in parentheses.

Examples:

• Net Wt 1 lb 4 oz (567 g)
• Net 8 fl oz (237 mL)

Nutrition Labeling
Nutrition information is displayed in a Nutrition Facts panel, which includes serving size, nutrient values, and a footnote. The standard vertical format is most common, but other formats (e.g., tabular or simplified) may be used depending on packaging and product type. Some small businesses may qualify for exemptions.

Ingredient Statement
List all ingredients by their common names in descending order by weight. Multi-component ingredients must include their sub-ingredients in parentheses (e.g., margarine and its components). Special rules apply to spices, flavorings, and colorings.

Allergen Declaration
U.S. law requires labeling of the nine major allergens:

• Wheat
• Milk
• Soy
• Eggs
• Peanuts
• Sesame
• Tree nuts (specify type)
• Fish (specify species)
• Crustacean shellfish (specify species)

Allergens can appear within the ingredient list or in a separate “Contains” statement. When applicable, always name the specific type (e.g., pecans, tuna, shrimp).

Name and Place of Business
Include the contact details of the manufacturer, packer, or distributor:

• Name
• Street address (if not publicly listed)
• City, state, and ZIP code
• Phone number or website (optional)

Staying compliant with food labeling requirements can be complex—but you don’t have to navigate it alone. Our team specializes in accurate, regulation-ready labeling that helps you avoid costly mistakes and get your product to market faster. Contact us today to make sure your packaging checks every box.