Do you want to know what must be included on a food product label? Discover how to design a label in accordance with regulations to effectively communicate with the consumer.
What Should a Food Product Label Contain?
This question concerns many entrepreneurs who want to introduce their products to the market. A food product label is not only a carrier of information but also a tool for building consumer trust. A properly designed label can significantly influence customers’ purchasing decisions, so it’s worth taking the time to prepare it appropriately.
Legal Regulations Regarding Food Product Labels
Food product labeling is strictly regulated by law. The key document in this matter is Regulation (EU) No 1169/2011 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 25 October 2011, concerning the provision of food information to consumers. This document specifies what information must be included on packaging so as not to mislead the consumer and to clearly inform about the most important aspects of the product.
In the case of articles intended for special nutritional purposes, such as those dedicated to children, infants, and people following specialized diets, additional regulations apply. Detailed provisions regarding these products were specified in the Regulation of the Minister of Health of September 16, 2010, which concerns foodstuffs for particular nutritional uses.
What Should a Food Product Label Contain?
The basic information that must be included on a food product label is precisely defined by law and aims to provide consumers with complete and transparent knowledge about the product they are buying.
The first element is the name of the article, which should be an accurate description of what is in the package. The name must be unambiguous and understandable so that the consumer has no doubt about the type and nature of the product. It should also not contain misleading terms that could mislead the consumer about its properties or composition.
The second important aspect is the list of ingredients. The composition used to produce a given article must have products listed in descending order (by weight). This means that the ingredient with the highest content should be listed first, and the one with the least content at the end of the list. This way of presenting them allows the consumer to easily understand what makes up the product and in what quantity.
Another important element is the net content, which indicates the amount of the article in the package. This information is given in units of measurement appropriate to the type of product, such as grams, milliliters, or liters. Accurate determination of net content allows the consumer to assess how much of the article they actually purchased and whether its price is adequate for the quantity.
What Information Should Be on the Label?
Nutritional information on a food product label is extremely important for consumers who want to consciously manage their diet. It is available on the nutrition facts table. It contains detailed data on the caloric content of the product and its content of proteins, fats, carbohydrates, sugars, fiber, and salt. Thanks to it, the consumer can find out exactly how much of each nutrient is in a portion of a given product.
In addition to the nutrition facts table, the label may contain nutrition claims. They may inform about high content of vitamins, minerals, fiber, or low content of saturated fats. Example statements are: “source of vitamin C” or “high in fiber”.
Health claims may also concern the impact of consuming the product on health, for example, “helps maintain normal cholesterol levels” or “supports the functioning of the immune system”. Thanks to this information, the consumer can make more informed choices, opting for products that meet their individual dietary needs.
How to Create Food Product Labels? What Else Should the Label Contain?
A food product label must contain a number of key pieces of information that are not only required by law but also necessary for the consumer to make an informed choice.
It is important to clearly indicate potential allergens present in the product. The expiration date is also important, which can be specified as the date of minimum durability or the use-by date. The date of minimum durability informs how long the article retains its properties, while the use-by date specifies how long the product is safe to consume.
Storage conditions must also be specified, as they provide information on how to store the article to maintain its freshness and quality for as long as possible. For example, some products need to be stored in a cool, dry place, while others must be kept in the refrigerator.
The label should also include the manufacturer’s or distributor’s data, i.e., their address and exact name. Information about the country of origin of the article is important for consumers who may prefer products from specific regions or want to support local producers.
It must also include instructions for use (they should be clear and accurate) so that the consumer knows how to prepare or use the given article.
Finally, the label should contain any certificates and markings, such as quality marks, organic, fair trade, etc. These markings testify to meeting specific standards and can be an important deciding factor for consumers who emphasize sustainable and ethical shopping.
Why is Transparency on the Label So Important?
In summary, a food product label must be comprehensive and contain all necessary information to meet legal requirements and consumer needs, ensuring full transparency. Each should primarily contain a precise product name that clearly defines what is in the package. This is basic information that eliminates any ambiguities regarding the nature and type of the article.