Continued from the PART II, today we continue to introduce Nutrition Facts label and Other requirements for food labeling in the US.

11. Nutrition Facts label

The US nutrition facts label has a history of more than 20 years. In order to ensure that consumers can obtain the latest and most accurate nutrition facts of food, the new FDA regulation 81 FR 33741 has established the latest nutrition facts label format for prepackaged food. Manufacturers with more than $10 million in annual food sales were required to switch to the new label by January 1, 2020; manufacturers with less than $10 million in annual food sales can keep old label until January 1, 2021 to comply. Figure 1 is a comparison of the old and new nutrition facts labels in the United States.


11.1  General order for listing statutorily declared nutrients and other mandatory or voluntary nutrients on the Nutrition Facts label

Calories, Calories from Saturated Fat*, Total Fat, Saturated Fat, TransFat, Polyunsaturated Fat*, Monounsaturated Fat*, Cholesterol, Sodium, Fluoride*, Total Carbohydrate, Dietary Fiber, Soluble Fiber*, Insoluble Fiber*, Total Sugars, Added Sugars, Sugar Alcohol*, Protein, Vitamin D, Calcium, Iron, Potassium

*If the nutrient is claimed, it must be labelled; otherwise, the nutrient can be labelled voluntarily.

11.2 Order for listing voluntary vitamins and minerals on the Nutrition Facts label

Vitamin A, Vitamin C, Vitamin E, Vitamin K, Thiamin, Riboflavin, Niacin, Vitamin B6, Folate, Vitamin B12, Biotin, Pantothenic Acid, Phosphorus, Iodine, Magnesium, Zinc, Selenium, Copper, Manganese, Chromium, Molybdenum, Chloride, Choline

11.3 Position on a label

Nutrition Facts label shall be declared as the principal display panel together with the list of ingredients, name and address of the manufacturer, packer, or distributor. These three items can also be displayed on the information page. If there is no place to display on the principal display panel and the information page, the nutrition facts label shall bear a declaration of any side visible to consumers.

12. Other requirements

Other parts of the label may include date, batch, storage conditions, directions for use, warnings, universal product code (UPC), etc., as long as the overall label is not misleading.

12.1 Date of Production

The U.S. federal regulations require a "Use-By" date on infant formula, other products are not required. In China, the production date and shelf life of prepackaged food should be clearly indicated in the food label.

12.2 Batch and Directions for use

Low-acid canned foods and acidified foods in the US need to indicate batches, and infant formula foods shall indicate directions for use.

Recommend article:
How Much Do You Know about Food Labeling in the US?（PART I）
How Much Do You Know about Food Labeling in the US?（PART II）
[Origin] Overview of Food Labeling Requirements for Export to the US

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