If you are in the food industry, you need to ensure that your food packaging labels meet all FDA food labelling requirements.
There are certain elements that all food labels should contain. In this post, we are going to take a look at what these things are and also discuss how extended content labels can help to maximize the marketing power of your food labels. You can consult with a food label company if you need further help.
The Importance of Improving Your Food Label Design
According to various reports, more and more consumers are turning to brands that inspire healthier lifestyle choices. Public interest in more natural products, organic materials, as well as green solutions is at an all-time high.
Research has also found that most modern consumers will always check what’s contained in the food label before making a purchasing decision. They are interested in things like:
- Ingredients
- Freshness
- Fat, sugar, and sodium content
- Calorie counts
- Organic
- GMO’s
If the food label doesn’t provide the information they are looking for or maybe don’t understand the label, they are highly likely to purchase another product. The study also revealed that consumers are more willing to purchase a product that is clearly labelled as ‘healthy.’
For a food to be labelled as healthy, it has to meet strict regulatory guidelines. However, by ensuring transparency and honesty in your messaging, you can significantly improve your sales.
The 5 Basic Elements That Should Be On Your Food Product Labels
The Food and Drug Administration has set out a number of requirements in regard to what should be included on the food packaging labels. For those in the cannabis and cannabis products market, we have provided a post on cannabis labeling requirements.
Here are the five basic elements that all food labels should contain:
- Statement of Identity
The food product label must accurately identify and describe the product. For instance, the label for a sauce jar can have something like “Ethiopian Sauce. Made with 35 herbs and spices!”
The label should also show the intended use of the product. While most customers will know how to use the product, offering suggestions can help stimulate a purchase.
- Net Weight
The net weight of a food product is the actual weight of the food content without the packaging. The net quantity statement should be placed on the front bottom 30% of the label. It must also be included on the outer package or box.
- Details of the Manufacturer
The food packaging label must show the name and address of the manufacturer, packer, or distributor. It should also include a qualifying phrase describing your company’s relationship to your firm, for example, manufactured for, distributed by, and so on.
- Nutrition Facts
The remaining two bear the most weight, as far as the consumer’s purchasing decision is concerned.
Consider placing the ingredients list and nutrition facts on the same panel to make it easier for people to find the information they need quickly. Nutrition facts should include:
- Nutrients
- Vitamins and Minerals
- Serving Size
Also, the information should be clearly readable. As per the FDA recommendations, use well-contrasted text and background colours. For the best effect, use black or dark text on a white or light background.
It is also important to consider hairlines, font size, and type. The purpose is to ensure that your intended audience is able to easily read the facts.
- Ingredients
This part can be a bit challenging since you are required to list everything that went into the food or liquid. Also, they need to be listed in order of most to least in terms of the amount used for the product.
Also, if your food product contains any common food allergens, it should be clearly stated on the label. Include a disclaimer about the allergen.