Food labels : guidance on required food label elements

DISPLAY PANELS
PRINCIPLE DISPLAY PANEL (PDP)
The PDP, is that portion of the package label that is most likely to be seen by the consumer at the time of purchase. Many containers are designed with two or more different surfaces that are suitable for display as the PDP. The STATEMENT OF IDENTITY and the DECLARATION OF QUANTITY must both appear on the PDP.
INFORMATION PANEL
The information panel is the label panel located immediately to the right of the PDP, as displayed to the consumer. If this panel is not usable, due to package design and construction, (e.g., folded flaps), then the information panel is the next label panel immediately to the right. Label elements generally required to be placed together should appear on the information panel, if such labeling does not appear on the PDP. These elements include the DECLARATION OF RESPONSIBILITY, INGREDIENTS STATEMENT, NUTRITION FACTS, and ALLERGEN DECLARATIONS.

Puffed Rice Cereal

PRINCIPLE DISPLAY PANEL (PDP)

Net Wt. 1 lb (454g)

INFORMATION PANEL

LINKS
www.fda.gov/Food/LabelingNutrition/default.htm The FDA has guidance documents for industry
regarding product labeling requirements. Many of the documents are available for download in multiple languages. The following documents provide more detailed labeling information and requirements:
Guidance for Industry: A Food Labeling Guide; Guidance for Industry: Questions and Answers
Regarding Food Allergens, including the Food Allergen Labeling and Consumer Protection Act of 2004 (Edition 4); Final Guidance; and Small Business Nutrition Labeling Exemption Guidance.

www.efsonline.uga.edu UGA's Department of Food Science and Technology
website has information on starting a food business, labeling, and can provide a nutrition facts panel for your label (for a nominal fee). Labeling documents include:
What's On A Label; and
Nutrition Labeling.

FOOD SAFETY DIVISION FIELD FORCES

North District Office 1195 Jesse Jewell Pkwy Gainesville, GA 30504 P: 770-535-5955 F: 770-531-6483

Metro District Office 16 Forest Pkwy Bldg 2 - 1 Forest Park, GA 30297 P: 404-363-7646 F: 404-362-2604

South District Office 3150 US Hwy 41 South Tifton, GA 31794 P: 229-386-3489 F: 229-386-3369
Manufactured Foods Office 19 Martin Luther King Jr Dr SW Room 306 P: 404-657-4801 F: 404-463-6428

Seafood Safety Office 701 U.S. Hwy 80 West Savannah, GA 31408 P: 912-963-2500
F: 912-966-7954

GEORGIA DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE
Gary W. Black Commissioner
FOOD LABELS
Food Safety Division 19 Martin Luther King Jr Dr SW Room 306 Atlanta, GA 30334 Phone: 404-656-3627 Fax: 404-463-6428 www.agr.georgia.gov

GEORGIA DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE

Gary W. Black, Commissioner

FOOD LABELS:
The Georgia Department of Agriculture will review product labels for formatting only. FDA has strict labeling requirements for products that will travel in interstate commerce. The purpose of this brochure is to familiarize retail and manufactured food facilities with the basic label requirements, that represent a minimum standard for labeling required on food products within the state of Georgia. Any products shipped across state lines, either from the product manufacturer or as a result of secondary or tertiary distribution through a wholesale distribution point, should fully comply with the following Federal regulations: Federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act (FD&C Act), the Fair Packaging and Labeling Act, The Nutrition Labeling and Education Act (NLEA), and the Food Allergen Labeling and Consumer Protection Act (FALCPA) of 2004.
BASIC LABEL ELEMENTS
The following information must appear on all food labels: STATEMENT OF IDENTITY
This is common or usual name of the product, in English, that clearly identifies what the product is.
INGREDIENTS STATEMENT
The product ingredients should be listed in order of descending predominance by weight. The ingredients statement must begin with the word "Ingredients," and all ingredients must be broken down into their constituent parts. All colors and preservatives must be identified.

DECLARATION OF QUANTITY
A measure of the amount of food in the package or container (not to include the weight of the packaging or container). It must appear in both standard and metric units, be expressed in the correct units of measure--weight (oz./g) or volume (fl. oz./mL), and appear in the lower 1/3 of the label.
DECLARATION OF RESPONSIBILITY
This is the physical address of the manufacturer. If a co-packer is used, the address must be preceded by the phrase "Manufactured for:" or "Distributed by:".
NUTRITION FACTS
The nutritional content must appear on the label. FDA does provide an exemption for small businesses. Nutrition facts are required if there are any health claims on the label (ex. "Low fat," or "Low Sodium").

ALLERGEN DECLARATIONS
There are 8 major food allergens that have to be clearly identified on the label. They are: MILK, EGGS, FISH, CRUSTACEAN SHELLFISH, TREE NUTS, WHEAT, PEANUTS, and SOYBEANS. These allergens must appear in the ingredients statement, or in a "Contains:" statement immediately following the ingredients statement.
HANDLING STATEMENT
If the product requires refrigeration for food safety, either the phrase "Keep Refrigerated" or "Keep Frozen" must appear on the label.
PRODUCTION CODE
A product code indicating the manufacture date must appear on the package or container, if not on the label directly, in the event of a product recall.

SAMPLE LABEL WITH REQUIRED ELEMENTS