The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) is responsible for ensuring that the food sold in the United States is safe, wholesome, and accurately labeled. FDA implemented requirements for food labels designed to provide consumers with important information about the food they are purchasing.
ACCURATE One of the critical requirements of the FDA is that food labels must be truthful and not misleading. This means that the information on the label must accurately reflect the contents of the food and must not make any false or deceptive claims. For example, a food label cannot claim that a product is "all-natural" if it contains artificial ingredients, and it cannot claim to be "fat-free" if it contains any fat.
The FDA has established certain requirements for food labels, which are designed to provide consumers with important information about the food they are purchasing.
Additionally, food labels must be accurate and specific. This means that the information on the label must be precise and easy to understand so that consumers can make informed choices about the food they are purchasing. For example, if a food product contains allergens, these allergens must be clearly listed on the label, and the label must specify the specific allergens that are present, such as peanuts or wheat.
INGREDIENTS
One of the most essential pieces of information that must appear on food labels is the list of ingredients. The FDA requires that all ingredients be listed in descending order of predominance by weight. This means that the ingredient that is present in the largest amount must be listed first, followed by the ingredient that is present in the second-largest amount, and so on.
NUTRITION FACTS
Another important requirement of the FDA is that food labels must include the Nutrition Facts panel. This panel must include information about the amount of calories, fat, cholesterol, sodium, carbohydrates, and other nutrients that are present in the food. This information is intended to help consumers make informed choices about the food they are purchasing and to help them maintain a healthy diet. However, teas and coffees are exempt from this requirement per 21 CFR 101.9 (j) (4).
FOOD CERTIFICATIONS
In addition to the requirements described above, the FDA also has specific requirements for labeling certain types of food. For example, the FDA has strict requirements for labeling organic food, which must be certified by the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) to bear the "USDA Organic" seal. The FDA also has specific requirements for labeling gluten-free food, which must contain less than 20 parts per million of gluten to be labeled as such.
FDA has established requirements for labeling food sold in the United States to provide consumers with important information about the food they are purchasing. By following these requirements, food manufacturers can help consumers make informed choices about the food they eat and can help to promote public health and safety.
Concerned about FDA label requirements? Contact us today at 561.600.7025 or scott@hulaconsulting.com. We look forward to helping you with your #tea business!