Most food and beverage products sold in the U.S. require labels that meet FDA requirements. This includes prepared foods, such as cereal, snacks, desserts, and drinks. Foods that do not require labels are generally raw, like fruits and vegetables, and fish.

While it is the FDA’s responsibility to enforce labeling laws, the FDA does not pre-approve labels. Therefore, it is a seller's responsibility to ensure their food and beverage labels comply with FDA regulations. When products do not comply, sellers can face fines and delays that can severely impact their businesses — and their profits. Below are the basic guidelines to help your business avoid costly labeling mistakes.

Where should labels be placed?

There are two approved locations for the placement of FDA mandatory language. The front of the package, known as the principal display panel (PDP), and the panel immediately to the right of the PDP, known as the information panel. The PDP must list the name of your food or beverage a...

Are you aware of the requirements to import food and beverage products into the U.S.? The process can be quite complicated, especially for newcomers in the food business. From food safety requirements to labeling guidelines, the U.S. FDA closely monitors imported products to ensure full compliance with Federal regulations. If a product does not comply, the consequences can significantly impact your business including refusal of entry at the port or seizure of the products. Before you import into the United States it is important to review these 10 key things to protect your brand and business.

1. Importers are required to designate an FSVP Agent

An FSVP Agent acts as a liaison between your business and the FDA for the purpose of complying with the Foreign Supplier Verification Program. The FDA requires that an FSVP Agent is a “qualified individual”. The agent handles the scheduling of inspections, verifying a foreign supplier’s compliance with food safety requirements, and a variety ...

As Americans have become increasingly health conscious over the years, the use of supplements and health products have skyrocketed. This trend towards wanting to live healthier lifestyles is a wonderful shift to see, but there is a drawback. With increased demand for supplements and more options entering the market, the FDA has turned their attention to the claims these products make. Dietary supplements that promise to treat, cure, prevent, mitigate, or diagnose a disease may be flagged and potentially held at import. It’s imperative to review your product’s label carefully with the aid of an expert to avoid the consequences of false or misleading claims.

How does the FDA regulate dietary supplement claims?

According to the Dietary Supplement Health and Education Act of 1994, dietary supplements must adhere to certain guidelines and stay within the approved parameters with the claims they make. The Dietary Supplement Health and Education Act also requires specific “Supplement Facts”...

Food products imported into the United States must have an ingredients statement declaring all ingredients contained in the product. But it’s not as simple as a mere declaration. FDA regulations require that ingredients be listed in a certain order, named in the correct manner, and placed on a specific location on the packaging. Therefore, it is not a given that you can simply use the product’s existing ingredient list. You must review the ingredient statement for FDA compliance.

Complying with U.S. labeling requirements is not just a matter of common sense, nor is compliance something that can be done after your import deal is inked. As you will see below, FDA regulations require a meticulous examination of every ingredient to determine the proper placement, nomenclature and other ingredient statement requirements.  

Failing to comply can be very costly. Ingredient errors and omissions are one of the top reasons for food being denied entry into the United States. Inaccurate ingredie...