Short answer: In the US, almost every packaged food label must show five things: the name of the food (statement of identity), the net quantity, a Nutrition Facts panel, an ingredient list with any of the nine major allergens declared, and the name and address of the manufacturer, packer or distributor. Imported foods must also show the country of origin, and bioengineered foods need a disclosure. The name and net quantity go on the front (principal display panel); the rest usually goes on the panel to its right.
US food labeling requirements come mainly from the FDA’s regulations in 21 CFR Part 101, plus separate USDA rules for meat, poultry, eggs and certain claims. This guide is a checklist of what must be on a food label, where each item goes, which foods are exempt, and which claims are optional but regulated.
US Food Labeling Requirements: Checklist
| Required element | What it must show | Where it goes |
|---|---|---|
| 1. Statement of identity | The common or usual name of the food, such as “tomato soup” or “sliced peaches in light syrup” | Principal display panel (front) |
| 2. Net quantity of contents | Amount of food by weight, volume or count, in both US and metric units, such as “Net Wt 12 oz (340 g)” | Bottom 30% of the principal display panel |
| 3. Nutrition Facts panel | Serving size, calories and required nutrients | Information panel or principal display panel |
| 4. Ingredient list | All ingredients by common name, in descending order by weight | Information panel or principal display panel |
| 5. Allergen declaration | Any of the nine major allergens, in a “Contains” statement or within the ingredient list | With the ingredient list |
| 6. Name and place of business | Name of the manufacturer, packer or distributor, plus city, state and ZIP code (street address too, unless it is in a current directory) | Information panel or principal display panel |
| 7. Country of origin | Required for imported foods and certain fresh foods | On the package |
| 8. Bioengineered food disclosure | Required for foods that contain detectable bioengineered (GMO) material, with some exemptions | On the package, as text, symbol, QR code or text message option |
Where Each Item Goes on the Package
- Principal display panel (PDP): the part of the package most likely to be seen on the shelf, usually the front. It must carry the statement of identity and the net quantity.
- Information panel: the panel immediately to the right of the PDP as you face it. The Nutrition Facts, ingredient list, allergen statement and business name and address usually go here, grouped together without unrelated material in between. If that panel is too small or unusable (a folded flap or a can end), the next panel to the right is used.
- Type size: required information must generally be at least 1/16 inch tall and clearly legible.
The Required Elements in Detail
1. Statement of identity
The food’s common or usual name, or a name required by a federal “standard of identity” for foods like ketchup, peanut butter or bread. If the product is an imitation of another food, the label must say “imitation.” The form of the food, such as sliced, whole or diced, must be included when it matters.
2. Net quantity of contents
The amount of food in the package, not counting the packaging, shown in both US customary and metric units. It must appear as a distinct item in the bottom 30% of the principal display panel, in a type size that depends on the size of the panel.
3. Nutrition Facts panel
Required on most packaged foods. It shows serving size, servings per container, calories, fats, cholesterol, sodium, carbohydrates, fiber, total and added sugars, protein, vitamin D, calcium, iron and potassium. See how to read a nutrition label and what changed on the new label.
4. Ingredient list
Every ingredient must be listed by its common name in descending order by weight, including sub-ingredients of compound ingredients in parentheses. Certified color additives must be named (such as “Red 40”), while flavors and spices may be listed collectively. See how ingredient lists can still mislead.
5. Allergen declaration
Under federal allergen law, labels must declare the nine major food allergens: milk, eggs, fish, crustacean shellfish, tree nuts, peanuts, wheat, soybeans and sesame (added January 1, 2023). The specific type must be named, such as “almond” for tree nuts or “shrimp” for shellfish. Pine nuts count as a tree nut for labeling too, even though they are botanically seeds. Allergens must be declared even when they are part of flavors, colors or spice blends. Precautionary statements like “may contain” are voluntary and not regulated.
Allergen mistakes are also the most common reason foods get recalled: undeclared allergens were involved in 37% of US food recall events from 2020 to October 2026, according to our analysis of FDA warning letters and recalls.
6. Name and place of business
The name and address of the manufacturer, packer or distributor. If the company named did not make the food, the label must say so, for example “Distributed by” or “Manufactured for.”
7. Country of origin
Imported packaged foods must be marked with their country of origin under US Customs rules. Separately, the USDA’s Country of Origin Labeling (COOL) program requires retailers to identify the origin of lamb, goat, chicken, fish and shellfish, fresh and frozen fruits and vegetables, peanuts, pecans, macadamia nuts and ginseng. Beef and pork were removed from mandatory COOL in 2015.
8. Bioengineered food disclosure
Since January 1, 2022, foods that contain detectable bioengineered (genetically engineered) material must carry a disclosure under the USDA’s National Bioengineered Food Disclosure Standard. It can be the word “Bioengineered,” a USDA symbol, a QR code or a text-message option. Very small manufacturers and restaurants are exempt.
Which Foods Are Exempt from Nutrition Labeling?
- Raw fruits, vegetables and fish (nutrition information for the most common ones is provided voluntarily at the point of sale).
- Foods with no significant nutrients, such as plain coffee, tea and most spices.
- Foods served for immediate consumption, such as restaurant meals (chain restaurants with 20 or more locations have separate menu calorie rules).
- Foods made in-store, such as bakery or deli items sold where they are made.
- Small businesses: retailers with annual sales of no more than $500,000, or food sales of no more than $50,000. Manufacturers with fewer than 100 full-time-equivalent employees selling fewer than 100,000 units of a product a year can also qualify, after notifying the FDA.
These exemptions apply only to the Nutrition Facts panel. The other required elements, including allergen labeling, still apply, and an exemption is lost if the label makes a nutrient or health claim.
Who Regulates Which Labels?
| Product | Agency |
|---|---|
| Most packaged foods, seafood, produce, dairy, shell eggs | FDA |
| Meat, poultry and processed egg products | USDA Food Safety and Inspection Service (labels approved before use) |
| Organic claims and bioengineered disclosure | USDA Agricultural Marketing Service |
| Alcoholic beverages (most) | Alcohol and Tobacco Tax and Trade Bureau (TTB) |
| Food advertising | Federal Trade Commission |
One recent USDA change: since January 1, 2026, meat, poultry and egg products can be labeled “Product of USA” or “Made in the USA” only if the animal was born, raised, slaughtered and processed in the United States.
Optional Claims That Are Still Regulated
Companies do not have to make claims, but if they do, the food must meet the legal definition:
- Nutrient content claims such as “low fat,” “high fiber,” “sugar free” and “healthy.” See what label claims legally mean.
- Health claims, which link a food or nutrient to a reduced risk of a disease, such as calcium and osteoporosis. They must be authorized by the FDA or meet the rules for qualified health claims. Foods cannot claim to cure or treat a disease.
- Structure/function claims, such as “calcium builds strong bones,” which describe a normal body function. See food vs supplement claims.
- “Gluten-free,” which means less than 20 parts per million of gluten.
- “Organic,” which requires USDA certification. See organic vs non-organic food.
- “Natural,” which has only an informal FDA policy. See what natural means.
What Is Not Required
- Expiration dates: except for infant formula, federal law does not require date labels. “Best if used by” dates are voluntary and indicate quality, not safety.
- “May contain” allergen warnings: voluntary.
- Front-of-package nutrition ratings: the FDA proposed a front-of-package “Nutrition Info box” in January 2025, but it has not been finalized. Here’s how the main front-of-package label types compare.
Frequently Asked Questions
What has to be on a food label in the US?
The name of the food, the net quantity, a Nutrition Facts panel, an ingredient list, an allergen declaration, and the name and address of the manufacturer, packer or distributor. Imported foods also need the country of origin, and bioengineered foods need a disclosure.
What is the principal display panel?
The part of the package most likely to be seen by shoppers, usually the front. It must show the name of the food and the net quantity.
Where does each item go on the food label?
The name and net quantity go on the principal display panel. The Nutrition Facts, ingredient list, allergen statement and business name and address usually go together on the information panel, immediately to the right of the front panel.
Does every food label need an expiration date?
No. Except for infant formula, federal law does not require date labels. Some states have their own rules, especially for milk.
Do small businesses need a Nutrition Facts label?
Some are exempt, based on annual sales or on employee and unit numbers. They still need the other required label elements, including allergens, and lose the exemption if they make nutrition claims.
What are the nine major food allergens?
Milk, eggs, fish, crustacean shellfish, tree nuts, peanuts, wheat, soybeans and sesame.
Sources and Further Reading
- 21 CFR Part 101: Food Labeling (eCFR).
- Food Allergies. US Food and Drug Administration.
- The Nutrition Facts Label. US Food and Drug Administration.
- Country of Origin Labeling (COOL). USDA Agricultural Marketing Service.
- National Bioengineered Food Disclosure Standard. USDA Agricultural Marketing Service.
