What must be on a food label in the USA?

For most packaged foods, six elements: the statement of identity (21 CFR 101.3) and net quantity of contents (21 CFR 101.7) on the principal display panel; the ingredient list (21 CFR 101.4), name and place of business (21 CFR 101.5) and Nutrition Facts (21 CFR 101.9) on the principal display panel or the information panel; and the major food allergens (FD&C Act 403(w)).

Where does the net weight go on a food label?

On the principal display panel, as a distinct item within the bottom 30 percent of the panel, in lines generally parallel to the base (21 CFR 101.7(f)). The minimum type height depends on the area of the panel (21 CFR 101.7(i)).

Which allergens must a US food label declare?

The nine major food allergens: milk, eggs, fish, Crustacean shellfish, tree nuts, peanuts, wheat, soybeans and sesame. Declare them in a "Contains" statement immediately after or next to the ingredient list, or in parentheses within the list (FD&C Act 403(w)).

Does every food need a Nutrition Facts panel?

Most packaged foods do, but 21 CFR 101.9(j) exempts some, such as qualifying small businesses, foods with no significant amount of any nutrient (plain coffee or tea, for example) and foods shipped in bulk that are not sold to consumers in that form. Making a nutrient claim can remove an exemption.

Label Compliance Review

US and EU food

Food label compliance checker for US and EU rules

Upload your food label and RegaaS checks it against FDA and EU food labeling rules. Each finding cites the provision behind it and is marked on the label, with suggested wording.

Each review checks one market.

Rules it checks against

1United States: 21 CFR Part 101, including the Nutrition Facts and Supplement Facts panels
2United States: the major food allergens under FD&C Act § 403(w), sesame included
3United States: the Fair Packaging and Labeling Act
4European Union: Regulation (EU) No 1169/2011 and the nutrition and health claims rules

What the checker looks at on a food label

Statement of identity or name of the food
Net quantity of contents
Ingredient list and allergen declaration
Nutrition Facts panel or EU nutrition declaration
Name and address of the manufacturer, packer or distributor
Nutrient content, health and structure/function claims

A label review checks what is printed on the label. Duties that leave no trace on a label, such as facility registration, have to be checked separately.

See a sample US food report

Brands we work with

Every issue, clearly marked. Suggested wording for each one.

1Review
Every issue, boxed on the label
Eleven on this one, among them a modified starch with no botanical origin, placeholder approval numbers and a missing storage instruction for after opening. Each box carries a number and a note.
2Fix
The finding, the evidence and the fix
One card per finding: what is wrong, the line on the label it was found in, the regulation, and the wording to use instead.

Plans

Start with 3 free reviews. Then buy reviews one at a time, or talk to us about Enterprise.

Free start

$0 / 3 free AI reviews

Try RegaaS with 3 free AI reviews.

3 free AI reviews per account
Findings marked on your label
Suggested corrections
Supporting regulatory references
High-resolution annotated PNG download
Full review history

Enterprise

Custom

For larger review needs

All label compliance review features included
Custom review standards for each market
High-frequency, high-volume review capacity
Priority support

What reviewers say

“The regulatory coverage is remarkably complete. It identifies provisions that many regulatory specialists are not aware of.”
Senior regulatory affairs expert, Switzerland
“It flagged issues our labels would have faced when the regulations changed three months later.”
Cosmetics company, France
“RegaaS gives us clearer, more organized findings when reviewing labels.”
Regulatory Affairs Manager · Supplement Brand · Exporting to the US
“RegaaS helps us check requirements across markets faster and frees up time for the rest of our work.”
QA Lead · Cosmetics Brand · Selling across multiple markets, including the EU
“The regulatory coverage is remarkably complete. It identifies provisions that many regulatory specialists are not aware of.”
Senior regulatory affairs expert, Switzerland
“It flagged issues our labels would have faced when the regulations changed three months later.”
Cosmetics company, France

Questions about US food label requirements

What must be on a food label in the USA?: For most packaged foods, six elements: the statement of identity (21 CFR 101.3) and net quantity of contents (21 CFR 101.7) on the principal display panel; the ingredient list (21 CFR 101.4), name and place of business (21 CFR 101.5) and Nutrition Facts (21 CFR 101.9) on the principal display panel or the information panel; and the major food allergens (FD&C Act 403(w)).
Where does the net weight go on a food label?: On the principal display panel, as a distinct item within the bottom 30 percent of the panel, in lines generally parallel to the base (21 CFR 101.7(f)). The minimum type height depends on the area of the panel (21 CFR 101.7(i)).
Which allergens must a US food label declare?: The nine major food allergens: milk, eggs, fish, Crustacean shellfish, tree nuts, peanuts, wheat, soybeans and sesame. Declare them in a "Contains" statement immediately after or next to the ingredient list, or in parentheses within the list (FD&C Act 403(w)).
Does every food need a Nutrition Facts panel?: Most packaged foods do, but 21 CFR 101.9(j) exempts some, such as qualifying small businesses, foods with no significant amount of any nutrient (plain coffee or tea, for example) and foods shipped in bulk that are not sold to consumers in that form. Making a nutrient claim can remove an exemption.

Custom rules or a guided demo? Let’s talk.

Set up review standards for your team, or get a guided walkthrough of RegaaS.

Schedule a guided online walkthrough
Discuss custom review standards for your team
Explore an Enterprise contract
Join our community on Discord

Join the RegaaS community — connect with other teams interested in label compliance and regulatory AI.

Join Our Discord Community