Archive for the ‘Food Labeling’ Category

The FDA requires food labeling for most for most prepared foods, such as breads, cereals, canned and frozen foods, snacks, desserts, drinks, etc. Raw produce and fish may be labeled voluntarily.

As a body with the responsibility for assuring that foods sold in the United States are safe, wholesome and properly labeled, the FDA has implemented an exhaustive food labeling process. Because the whole food labeling scenario, by necessity, covers a broad range of foods and industries, there are many uncertainties that the FDA must address. It does so by providing guidance to manufacturers, distributors and importers about the proper labeling of their food products.

The basics of food labeling have been put in place to ensure there is no confusion for the consumer as to what product they are buying. The important features that must be considered include:

Where the food label must be placed on containers and packages. Food containers must be labeled in one of two ways. All required label statements must be placed on the front label panel (the principal display panel, or PDP), or the PDP must contain certain specified label statements and other information is placed on the information panel.

The PDP is the part of the package or container label that is most likely going to be seen by the consumer when purchasing the product. A lot of containers are designed with more than one surface that is suitable for display as the PDP, these surfaces are known as the alternate PDPs.

What must be seen on the PDP? A statement of identity or the name of the food as well as the net quantity statement or amount of product is placed on the PDP. These statements are required to be of certain heights and prominence depending on the packaging.

The information panel is the label panel to the immediate right of the PDP when the package is on display to the customer. If the design of the package doesn’t allow for the information panel to be usable, the information panel is the next panel to the right.

The phrase “information panel labeling” refers to the label statements that are generally required to be placed together, without any intervening material, on the information panel, if such labeling does not appear on the PDP. These label statements include the name and address of the manufacturer, packer or distributor, the ingredient list, and nutrition labeling. Emphasis should be placed on the fact that there is to be no intervening material mixed into the various parts of the information label.

The type size of the printing on the information panel labeling is required to be of a print or type size that is prominent, conspicuous and easy to read. There are a few specific requirements with regard to the type such as the fact that the letters must not be more than three times as high as they are wide, and the lettering must contrast sufficiently with the background so as to be easy to read.

The food safety aspect of the above food labeling rules cannot be under-estimated. If products are clearly labeled with nutrition and other details easily found there is less chance that consumers will purchase products they are allergic to or are simply not what they’re looking for.