What are the required elements of a food label?

A statement of identity, net quantity of contents, ingredient list, allergen declaration, Nutrition Facts panel, and the name and address of the manufacturer, packer, or distributor. Missing any of these makes the product misbranded.

How many major food allergens must be labeled?

Nine. The original eight — milk, eggs, fish, crustacean shellfish, tree nuts, peanuts, wheat, and soybeans — were joined by sesame, effective January 1, 2023, under the FASTER Act.

Is country-of-origin marking the same as the FDA food label?

No. The FDA food label covers content and nutrition; country-of-origin marking is a separate CBP requirement under 19 U.S.C. 1304 for imported goods. An imported food must comply with both.

What makes a food "misbranded"?

A label that is false or misleading, or that omits a required element — identity, net quantity, ingredients, allergens, or Nutrition Facts — or that makes an unauthorized claim. Misbranding is grounds for FDA detention and refusal. A label is the cheapest place to get compliance right and the most expensive place to get it wrong. Reidel Law Firm reviews food labeling and import documentation for compliance, on flat-fee terms. Get an import compliance memo.

FDA Food Labeling & Packaging Checklist

An FDA-compliant food label must carry five required elements: a statement of identity, the net quantity of contents, an ingredient list, an allergen declaration, and the Nutrition Facts panel — plus the name and address of the responsible party. Get any one wrong and the product is “misbranded,” which is one of the most common reasons imported food is detained. This checklist covers what each label needs and the packaging and origin rules that ride alongside it.

The Five Required Label Elements

Element	What it requires	W