Statement of identity
The common or usual name of the food — must appear on the principal display panel in bold type, prominent and conspicuous.
BEFORE YOUR DESIGN GOES TO PRINT
Preparing a product label
for the US market.
This practical starting point helps small businesses collect the information a professional designer will need. Requirements can vary by product, claims, and sales channel—confirm your specific obligations with the FDA or your product's specific regulator.
GENERAL LABEL CHECKLIST
Information to gather
Ingredients
A complete list of every ingredient in descending order by weight, introduced with "Ingredients:".
Allergen declaration
A "Contains:" statement naming any major food allergens present, where applicable.
Net quantity
State the net amount of food in the package in both US customary units (oz, lb, fl oz) and metric units (g, kg, mL, L), placed in the bottom 30% of the principal display panel.
Nutrition Facts
A standardized Nutrition Facts panel — exact values can only be confirmed once a real recipe and lab or database analysis exist, not from a concept image.
Responsible business
Name and address of the manufacturer, packer, or distributor, conventionally introduced with "Manufactured by", "Packed by" or "Distributed by".
Language
English is required; other languages may be added alongside it.
Food and beverage products
Most prepared foods — breads, cereals, canned and frozen foods, snacks, desserts, drinks — require full nutrition labeling. Some products fall under separate frameworks: alcoholic beverages are regulated by the TTB rather than the FDA, and dietary supplements use a Supplement Facts panel rather than Nutrition Facts, each with its own additional requirements not covered here.
AUTHORITATIVE NEXT STEPS
FDA — Nutrition, Food Labeling, and Critical FoodsOfficial overview and current guidanceA Food Labeling GuideFDA's own industry guidance document21 CFR Part 101 — Food LabelingThe regulation itself, via the eCFRReviewed against official US sources on 20 August 2026. Regulations and standards can change; verify again before production.