What Foods Need Nutritional Labels in the US?
Nutrition labels are a valuable tool for consumers to make informed food choices. They provide information about a food product’s calories, nutrients, and ingredients, which can help people make healthier choices.
The Federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act (FD&C) states that packaged foods & dietary supplements must have nutritional labeling. Although, there are exemptions to labeling that the FD&C Act and the Fair Packaging and Labeling Act cover. Manufacturers must be fully informed about any regulations or laws that fall under their food product category before distributing in the United States.
The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) requires that most food products have a nutritional label in the United States following the FDA Nutrition Labeling and Education Act (NLEA). As of 2016, the label must include these nutritional facts, including the percent daily value:
- Calories
- Total fat
- Saturated fat
- Trans fat
- Cholesterol
- Sodium
- Total carbohydrates
- Dietary fiber
- Total Sugars
- Added Sugars
- Protein
- Vitamin D
- Calcium
- Iron
- Potassium
If a product is formulated or claims voluntary ingredients (examples: sugar alcohols, vitamins, minerals, etc.), further declaration might be mandatory to include on the Nutritional label.
What Foods Don’t Need Nutritional Labels in the US?
Under Title 21 Code of Federal Regulations (21 CFR 101.9 (j)), exemptions are defined to guide the public when nutritional labeling does not need to be included. Some examples of exemptions from nutritional labeling are:
- Bakery products such as cookies, cakes, or bread are sold directly to the consumer from the establishment in which it was cooked/prepared.
- Foods that do not contain significant amounts of nutrients. This would include Tea leaves, Coffee beans (ground or whole), and spices.
- Bulk foods that are shipped will be used for further processing before retail.
- Fresh produce and seafood.
- Foods that are served in restaurants or other food service establishments.
It is important to note once a nutritional claim is made about a product that could have been exempt, it may lose its exemption and might be required to include the nutritional facts label. The manufacturer must know their specific nutritional labeling needs based on their claims, requirements, and regulations.
Conclusion
Nutritional Labeling is an important tool for consumers to make informed food choices. However, it is essential to understand what foods products labeling requirements are following the FD&C Act and Fair Packaging and Labeling Act. Once a manufacturer has determined their labeling needs, it is necessary to conduct analytical testing to evaluate the parameters required for the Nutritional Facts.
How AGQ Labs Can Help
AGQ Labs fulfills the testing requirements for Nutritional labeling for conventional foods products. The regulations and standards for testing requirements can be challenging to navigate, but AGQ labs is here to provide quality results that comply with FDA Nutritional Labelling analysis regulations.
