Labeling & Nutrition

Food Labeling and Nutrition Overview

These FDA Food Labeling web pages address the labeling requirements for foods under the Federal Food Drug and Cosmetic Act and its amendments. Food labeling is required for most prepared foods, such as breads, cereals, canned and frozen foods, snacks, desserts, drinks, etc. Nutrition labeling for raw produce (fruits and vegetables) and fish is voluntary. We refer to these products as "conventional" foods. For detailed information on dietary supplements, a special category of products that comes under the general umbrella of foods, but which has separate labeling requirements, see "dietary supplements."*

* Terms such as "functional foods" or "nutraceuticals" are widely used in the marketplace. Such foods are regulated by FDA under the authority of the Federal Food Drug and Cosmetic Act, even though they are not specifically defined by law.

Recent Announcements

• Proposed Rule: Food Labeling: Health Claim; Phytosterols and Risk of Coronary Heart Disease December 8, 2010
• Health and Diet Survey
• Guidance for Industry: Letter Regarding Point of Purchase Food Labeling October 2009
• Guidance for Industry: Dear Manufacturer Letter Regarding Front-of-Package Symbols December 2008
• FDA Announces Public Hearing on Food Advisory Labeling August 8, 2008
  • Federal Register Notice: Food Labeling; Current Trends in the Use of Allergen Advisory Labeling: Its Use, Effectiveness, and Consumer Perception; September 16, 2008 August 8, 2008
• Final Rule: Food Labeling: Health Claims; Soluble Fiber from Certain Foods and Risk of Coronary Heart Disease May 1, 2008
• Guidance for Industry: A Food Labeling Guide October 2009
• Guidance for Industry: A Labeling Guide for Restaurants and Other Retail Establishments Selling Away-From-Home Foods April 2008
• Retail Stores: Nutrition Information for Raw Fruits, Vegetables, and Fish - Downloadable/Printable Posters for Voluntary Point-of-Purchase Nutrition Information, December 21, 2007
• Notice of Proposed Rulemaking:Food Labeling: Nutrient Content Claims; Alpha-Linolenic Acid, Eicosapentaenoic Acid, and Docosahexaenoic Acid Omega-3 Fatty Acids November 27, 2007
• Advance Notice of Proposed Rulemaking: Revision of Reference Values and Mandatory Nutrients November 2, 2007
• Guidance for Industry and FDA: Dear Manufacturer Letter Regarding Sugar Free Claims September 2007
• Guidance for Industry: Evidence-Based Review System for the Scientific Evaluation of Health Claims January 2009
• Spot the Block: Using the Nutrition Facts Label to Make Healthy Food Choices -- A Program for Tweens June 2007
• Small Business Exemption Notification Program Web-based Submissions May 23, 2007

General Information on Food Labels

• Claims That Can Be Made for Conventional Foods and Dietary Supplements March 20, 2001 (summary)
• Consumer Research on Food Labels (summary of consumer research studies)

Additional Information Related to Food Labeling

• Specific Topics and Categories:
  includes allergens, biotechnology, botanicals and novel ingredients, BSE (Mad Cow Disease), eggs, "fresh", juice, labeling of foods needing refrigeration, and trans fatty acids.
• Letter to the Smart Choices Program August 19, 2009
• CFSAN Foods Home Page for:
  • Other Food Related topics (including dietary supplements, food safety, food additives and biotechnology)
  • Interacting with the FDA (reporting problems, submitting petitions, etc.)
  • Obtaining information from FDA (freedom of information requests, Laws enforced by FDA, Code of Federal Regulations, etc.)