Food Labeling

Overview
Definition
Questions
Resources

Several federal agencies are involved in the regulation of food labels in the United States. Food labeling is generally regulated by the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) and the United States Food and Drug Administration (FDA).

The Food Safety and Inspection Service (FSIS), a public health agency within the USDA, is responsible for ensuring that the nation’s commercial supply of meat, poultry, and egg products is safe and correctly labeled and packaged. FSIS issues policy guidance and information, memorandums, and nutrition labeling information. The FDA is responsible for the majority of other food products and their labeling. The FDA assures that most prepared foods, such as bread, cereals, canned and frozen foods, snacks, desserts, drinks, etc., are safe, wholesome, and properly labeled. The National Organic Program (NOP), a regulatory program housed within the USDA Agricultural Marketing Service, develops organic food labeling standards

Other agencies involved in the regulation of specific labels include the Alcohol and Tobacco Tax and Trade Bureau within the Department of the Treasury, which governs alcohol labels, and the Office of the United States Trade Representative (USTR), which manages treaty negotiations concerning food labeling in international trade.

Key Federal Laws

Food labeling laws cover product packaging, point-of-purchase advertisements for foods or dietary supplements sold in retail establishments, restaurant menus, labels on alcoholic beverages, and more. Food labeling also covers claims made on these marketing endeavors, including claims about the purity of food products or health benefits. Additional laws and regulations require sellers to describe how foods are prepared or processed, the origin of the ingredients, the nutrients, additives in the foods, or other aspects of the product. This information may be required on the packaging or in related marketing efforts.

What is different on the new food label now that regulatory changes have been implemented?

There are several notable changes to the Nutrition Facts Labels. Manufacturers are now required to declare the amount of vitamin D, calcium, iron, potassium and added sugars, in addition to providing the percent Daily Value. There have also been some changes to the daily values for some nutrients, serving size, and overall design. For frequently asked questions and guidance documents for various food industry groups, view Industry Resources on the Changes to the Nutrition Facts Label.
Where can I find information about organic food labeling?

Go to the USDA's AMS National Organic Program Office, where you will find links to information on locating certifiers, labeling organic products, allowed and prohibited substances, and more.
I am allergic to eggs. Does the federal government require food labels list ingredients that commonly cause food allergies?

The Food Allergen Labeling and Consumer Protection Act requires that food labels identify in plain English if the product contains any of the eight major food allergens: milk, eggs, fish, crustacean shellfish, peanuts, tree nuts, wheat, and soybeans. For more information, see Guidance for Industry: Questions and Answers Regarding Food Allergens.
Does the USDA have a standard process for approving food labels?

The Food Safety and Inspection Service (FSIS) develops and provides labeling guidance, policies, and inspection methods and administers programs to protect consumers from misbranded and economically adulterated meat, poultry, and egg products. These measures ensure that labels are not misleading and truthful. The FSIS Labeling/Label Approval website provides information on label submission, ingredient guidance, and non-food compounds.

Small business owners can view labeling guidance for prepared food items regulated by the FDA at Small Business Nutrition Labeling Exemption.
What is the process of adding the nutritional content of my branded food product to the USDA Branded Food Database?

The USDA Branded Food Database was created through a partnership with Label Insight. Food manufacturers may submit their food product data directly to the USDA Branded Food Products Database for inclusion in the database. Companies can begin by filling out the form on the Label Insight website.

Companies can also submit their product information to the 1WorldSync Global Data Synchronization Network (GDSN) through the form on the GDSN website.