Food Labeling in the US: The FDA’s Basic Rules

Which Rules Apply?

The basic rules for food labels in the US are set out in the FDA’s 21 CFR Part 101. Meat, poultry, certain processed egg products and catfish fall under USDA oversight (FDA); the labels of these products follow FSIS rules.

Principal Display Panel

Part 101 defines the consumer-facing main surface of the label (the principal display panel) and requires that some of the mandatory information appear on this panel (21 CFR 101.1).

Nutrition Facts Panel

Food intended for human consumption and offered for sale must, with limited exemptions, carry a Nutrition Facts panel (21 CFR 101.9).

The Nine Major Allergens

The major food allergens in the US are milk, eggs, fish, crustacean shellfish, tree nuts, peanuts, wheat, soybeans and sesame. Sesame was added to the list as the ninth allergen by the FASTER Act, signed in April 2021, and the requirement took effect on January 1, 2023 (FDA: Food Allergies).

What We Check in a Label Review

• Whether the product falls under FDA or USDA oversight
• The principal display panel and the placement of mandatory information
• The ingredient list and allergen declaration
• The Nutrition Facts panel and any exemption status

Details of our food label review are on our service page; for meat, poultry and egg products, see our USDA label service.

Official Sources

• 21 CFR Part 101 (food labeling)
• FDA: Food Allergies
• FDA: Producing a food product regulated by FDA