Food Safety Labels: What Manufacturers Need to Know

For any food manufacturer, understanding the intricacies of food safety labeling plays a pivotal role in ensuring the safety of consumers and compliance with relevant regulations. This involves everything from identifying approved materials for food labeling and packaging to knowing what constitutes a serving size. Meeting these standards is not just essential for corporate ethics and consumer safety but is also mandated by regulatory bodies such as the Food and Drug Administration (FDA).

This blog aims to demystify the complexities of food safety labels, broadly covering what it means, why it is important, the common issues faced by manufacturers, and how they can navigate these challenges. It will also shed light on the best practices that manufacturers can adopt and the importance of partnering with reliable label providers. So, let's get started!

What Does Food Safety Labeling Mean?

Food safety labeling ensures that the materials and information applied to food products comply with stringent regulations set forth by the United States Food and Drug Administration (FDA) and other related agencies. This process encompasses all aspects of the label, including the facestock, adhesives, and inks, collectively known as Food Contact Substances (FCS).

According to Section 409(h)(6) of the Federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act, FCS refers to “any substance intended for use as a component of materials involved in manufacturing, packing, packaging, transporting, or holding food, provided that such use is not intended to have any technical effect on the food.”

Food safety labeling is critical for protecting consumers and ensuring transparency about the products they consume. Labels provide essential details, such as nutrition labeling, list of ingredients, expiration dates, lot codes, and barcodes, which allow traceability. These components are classified by the FDA as either direct contact substances or indirect contact substances, depending on whether they come into direct contact with food.

Why are Food Safety Labels Important?

Food safety labels are a cornerstone of consumer trust, regulatory oversight, and food industry integrity. These labels serve multiple purposes:

• Consumer Protection: Provide essential nutrition information, such as calories, ingredients, and potential allergens, helping consumers make informed decisions for healthy diets.

• Regulatory Compliance: Ensure adherence to laws like the Nutrition Labeling and Education Act (NLEA) and the Poultry Products Inspection Act, safeguarding public health.

• Transparency for Organic Foods: Facilitate trust in organic food by meeting strict criteria set by the National Organic Program and ensuring accurate organic food labeling.

• Standards of Identity: Guarantee accurate product descriptions for poultry products, snacks, cereals, and other packaged foods, preventing misleading claims.

• Traceability: Allow tracking through barcodes, lot codes, and documentation, ensuring accountability during recalls or inspections by the Food Safety and Inspection Service (FSIS).

• Innovation & Safety: Address modern concerns like detectable genetic material in GMOs and the safe use of preservatives to maintain food integrity.

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What are the Safety Requirements of Food Labels?

The FDA has defined strict standards governing the constituents of a food label. The label facestock, adhesives, inks, and other components that display critical information like nutrition facts and allergen content must comply with these standards. Direct and indirect food contact materials must also meet FDA-approved safety requirements.

Nutrition Facts Labeling

The Nutrition Facts label provides essential details like serving size, calories, and nutrients, helping consumers make informed dietary choices. Recent regulation changes include updates to required nutrients, serving sizes, and certain package sizes. It is imperative for manufacturers and importers to stay updated on these changes and ensure their product labels are compliant to avoid any regulatory issues.

Moreover, the FDA does not pre-approve labels, and it is the responsibility of the food manufacturer to meet the legal requirements with changes published in the Federal Register and compiled annually in Title 21 of the Code of Federal Regulations (CFR).

Allergen Labeling

Allergen labeling is another crucial safety requirement in food labeling. As per the Food Allergen Labeling and Consumer Protection Act, all major food allergens present in a product—such as milk, eggs, fish, shellfish, tree nuts, wheat, peanuts, soybeans, or sesame—must be clearly identified on the food label.

This requirement helps consumers with allergies make safe food choices and prevent allergic reactions or health complications.

Bioengineered (BE) Disclosure

The National Bioengineered Food Disclosure Standard (NBFD) calls for mandatory disclosures of bioengineered (BE) food and ingredients. It defines bioengineered foods as containing genetic material modified through detectable lab techniques that cannot be reproduced via conventional breeding or found in nature.

Disclosure options available to regulated entities include text, symbols, digital/electronic links, and, in some cases, text messages. Smaller food manufacturers and businesses with small or very small packages have additional options like phone numbers or web addresses to fulfill the BE disclosure requirements.

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How Can I Print My Own Food Safety Labels?

Printing your own food safety labels is a straightforward process when you have the right tools. By using high-quality label printers and software like BarTender Professional, NiceLabel Designer, andLoftware Cloud, you can easily create labels in-house while meeting all legal requirements.

OmegaBrand offers reliable solutions to help you print your own food safety labels efficiently, whether in color or black and white.

Consider these options for printing colored food safety labels:

1. Epson c6000 printer

2. Epson c6500 ink

3. Epson c8000 printer

These Epson ColorWorks printers, available at OmegaBrand, offer reliable, high-quality label printing for a variety of applications, including GHS BS5609-compliant chemical labels, food safety labels, and more.

For printing black and white labels, consider these options available at Omerbrands:

1. Godex G500 Desktop Printer 

2. Godex GX4200i Industrial Printer 

Both options provide sharp, long-lasting prints, making them excellent choices for businesses that require efficient and cost-effective food safety labeling solutions.

What are the Common Food Labeling Issues Manufacturers Face?

Although stringent regulations around food labeling exist to maintain food safety and ensure consumer protection, manufacturers often encounter challenges. These include misinformation leading to misleading claims, incomplete or inaccurate ingredient lists, unclear allergen statements, and ambiguities regarding the type of materials suitable for labels and adhesives. Let's discuss these challenges in detail.

Misleading Claims

One common issue faced by manufacturers is navigating the gray area of the FDA's regulations related to label content. It can be tempting to claim that a product or its components are “FDA Approved.” However, it's crucial to note that the FDA does not approve nor endorse food products. The lack of specificity in the rules often creates confusion among manufacturers, leading to misleading label claims.

Proofreading claims before printing and cross-checking the company’s interpretation of FDA regulations with legal experts can prevent such unfortunate situations.

Incomplete or Inaccurate Ingredient Lists

An incomplete or inaccurate ingredient list can mislead consumers, especially those with dietary restrictions or allergies related to dietary supplements, and violate food labeling laws. Therefore, manufacturers must detail all ingredients accurately on their packaging labels.

To prevent this issue, manufacturers should ensure their product composition information is updated and accurate, and they should cross-verify the ingredient lists before proceeding with label printing.

Unclear Allergen Statements

Another common issue manufacturers face is not making clear allergen statements on their product labels. The FDA mandates the identification of all major food allergens in a product to safeguard the health of consumers. Hence, it is critical for manufacturers to clearly state the presence of any potential allergens in their products on the label.

Regular updates on raw material inventory and audits can help keep track of any new ingredients that might be allergenic.

Ambiguity around Label and Adhesive Materials

Selecting the right materials for labels and adhesives can be challenging due to the ambiguity in the FDA’s regulations. Given there are strict rules about what materials can come into direct or indirect contact with food, manufacturers must make appropriate choices.

To avoid potential regulatory issues, manufacturers should stay updated with FDA regulations and consult experts when choosing materials for labels and adhesives.

Also read: Maximizing Efficiency with Color Label Printers

Best Practices for Manufacturers to Keep up with Food Safety Label Regulations

To navigate through the complexities of food safety labeling and prevent regulatory hiccups, manufacturers can follow a set of best practices outlined below. This includes ensuring label accuracy, keeping abreast with regulatory changes, conducting regular label audits, and engaging with trusted label providers. Let's dive in!

Ensuring Label Accuracy

Ensuring the accuracy of labels plays a crucial role in preventing regulatory violations and protecting consumer health and safety. Manufacturers can do this by:

• Regularly reviewing and verifying ingredient lists and nutritional information.

• Implementing stringent quality control measures for labeling food.

• Training staff on the importance of accurate labeling.

These steps will contribute to the production of correct and compliant food labels.

Also read our latest blog on Blank Labels.

Keeping Up with Regulatory Changes

With frequent changes in food labeling laws and regulations, it is important for manufacturers to stay updated. This can be achieved by regularly checking the Federal Register for new regulations before their effective date, attending training sessions on FDA and USDA labeling requirements, and subscribing to industry newsletters that update food labeling regulations.

Conducting Regular Label Audits

Conducting regular audits of food labels can help manufacturers identify any non-compliance issues and address them promptly. These audits should cover all aspects of the label, including ingredient list accuracy, allergen disclosure, nutrition fact panel compliance, and overall label structure. 

In addition, third-party label reviews can provide an independent assurance of compliance with the regulations.

Partnering with Trusted Label Providers: OmegaBrands

To better manage the complexities of food labeling regulations, manufacturers can partner with credible label providers like OmegaBrand. At OmegaBrand, we deliver innovative, high-quality labeling solutions that meet the rigorous standards of today’s food and beverage industry.

With a commitment to excellence and compliance, our labels are designed to align with different industry needs, including those for nutrition information, organic certifications, and specialized packaging needs. Whether it’s labeled for snacks, cereals, or poultry products, OmegaBrands ensures durability, clarity, and safety.

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Conclusion

Complying with food safety label regulations is not just about abiding by the law; it is about placing consumer safety at the forefront. By understanding what food safety labeling entails, acknowledging its significance, and identifying common issues and best practices, manufacturers can stay compliant and continue to offer safe and high-quality products to consumers.

The journey towards compliance with food safety labeling is no small feat, but with careful planning, accurate data, and a robust process, manufacturers can enhance the safety of their products and earn the trust of their consumers.

Frequently Asked Questions

What components should a food safety label include?

A food safety label should include key components such as the product's nutrition information (serving size, calories, and nutrient content), a list of ingredients, and allergen declarations. It should also display the manufacturer's name and address, expiration or best-by date, and lot or batch codes for traceability. Additional elements may include barcodes, organic certifications, or specific claims like "gluten-free" or "non-GMO," all of which must comply with FDA and other regulatory standards like the Code of Federal Regulations (CFR).

What are the consequences of non-compliance with food labeling laws?

Non-compliance with food labeling laws can lead to severe consequences, including fines, product recalls, and legal action from regulatory agencies like the FDA or FSIS. Misleading or missing information, such as inaccurate nutrition facts or undeclared allergens, can harm consumer trust and pose public health risks. Repeated violations may result in facility shutdowns, loss of certification (e.g., organic), or bans on product distribution, impacting a company’s reputation and revenue.

What materials are safe for food contact labeling?

Materials used for food contact labeling must comply with FDA regulations to ensure safety. These include food-grade adhesives, inks, and facestocks that meet standards for direct or indirect food contact. Examples include water-based or UV-curable inks, pressure-sensitive adhesives designed for food-safe applications, and non-toxic label substrates like paper or polypropylene. Each material must prevent harmful chemical migration into the food while maintaining label durability.