3 Food Labeling Violations You Can Easily Avoid
The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has strict controls in place over food companies. Violations happen daily, and labeling errors are amongst the most common reasons for violations being handed out.
Errors can lead to serious issues for a business, including:
- “Misbranded” designation
- Shipments being refused entry into the country
Under the Federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act, it is illegal to distribute any products that are misbranded. The FDA can pursue criminal or civil action against violators even if the action was unintentional.
Business owners should work to avoid costly food labeling violations, starting with three of the most popular violations first.
1. Failure to Include the Required Nutrition Information
Most food and beverage products will be required to have a nutrition facts panel on them when sold to consumers. The panel will have to display certain, vital information, such as:
- Serving size
- Number of total servings
- A detailed account of nutrient values
- Percentage of daily nutrient value
- Much more
Owners have a responsibility to format their nutrition labels and supply all of the required information necessary to be compliant with FDA regulations. The FDA can opt to punish companies for any information that is either missing or erroneous.
In fact, it’s within the FDA’s power to:
- Refuse product entry
- Detain product
- Add your product to the Import Alert
- Take legal action against a business
If a product is added to an Import Alert, it’s a major hindrance because it will cause products to go straight into detention without a physical examination. Resolving issues can take months, and a business’ supply chain can be stopped completely due to the Alert.
On the product’s container, it’s crucial for the nutrition facts panel to have all of the necessary information. FDA regulations must be followed with the utmost precision, namely listing nutrients by a specific name, adding a certain unit or measurement, placing nutrients in a specific order, and even formatting the label are all necessary requirements of the FDA.
2. Inaccurate Statement of the Quantity
Labeling requirements include alerting the consumer to the exact amount of the product that will be in a container or package. For example, the label must include either the product weight, numerical count, or fluid measure.
Packaging must include measurements in the metric system and imperial system to be valid.
On the bottom 30% of the main principal display panel of the food label, the net quantity of items within the package must be listed. Net quantity statements are a very integral part of the labeling process.
Quantity must also be displayed in accordance with the minimum type size, which relates to the size of the principal display panel.
3. Failure to Include Manufacturer’s, Packer’s, or Distributor’s Name and Place of Business
Additionally, the FDA has requirements for all products, which require the product to include the following information of the distributor, manufacturer, or packer:
- Corporate name
- Address
The information must be included in the food’s labeling. When the information provided is not that of the manufacturer, the relationship between the manufacturer and the name must be provided.
For example:
- Distributed by
- Manufactured for
- Ect.
City, state, zip code and street address must be included as part of the contact information on the label.
Label violations can be very serious. The FDA has agents at entry ports in the United States who can detain or refuse the product’s entry. If labeling errors are found, the FDA may also choose to inspect the facility where the product was made to ensure further compliance is met.
Companies are responsible for paying any reinspection fees if the FDA opts to reinspect a facility due to improper labeling.
Help with FDA label requirements for Food Products
If you have doubts about handling FDA label requirements for food products, Cosmereg can assist you in each step. For more information just contact us.
