Food labeling: requirements, claims, and best practices

What is a food label and what is its purpose?

A food label contains all the information and statements printed on a product's packaging to inform consumers.

Allergens, nutritional values, ingredient lists, or claims: every detail counts. Labels directly influence purchasing decisions, as they must appeal to consumers, reassure them, and inspire confidence.

That is why they are subject to strict rules to avoid confusion. Rigorous review is therefore essential to ensure regulatory compliance, transparency of information, and consumer protection.

What to check on a food product label?

1. Identify the country of destination

Before any analysis, it is essential to know in which country the product will be marketed. Each market has its own regulations and specific labeling requirements. Packaging must be reviewed according to the rules of the country of sale to ensure compliance. If we take Canadian regulations as an example, several elements will need to be checked, such as those detailed in the following points.

2. Check mandatory information

Every food product intended for sale must display mandatory information. This includes:

• Common name of the product;

• Net quantity;

• List of ingredients and allergens;

• Nutrition facts table;

• Front-of-package (FOP) nutrition symbol (when required); 

• Name and address of the person primarily responsible for the product.

This information must be present, except in cases of exemption. It must also be clearly placed, of the correct size, and comply with the rules, as indicated on government websites. In addition, certain products, such as meat, alcoholic beverages, or maple syrup, are subject to specific rules. For example:

• Meat products must display an inspection legend.

• More specifically, mechanically tenderized beef must bear the words “mechanically tenderized” and safe cooking instructions.

• Alcoholic beverages must display the alcohol content by volume.

• Maple syrup must display the grade and color if it is graded.

3. Evaluate claims and voluntary statements

In addition to the required information, certain statements may highlight certain characteristics of a product. It is essential to be careful when reviewing and validating each statement on the packaging.

For certain claims, requirements must be met. This is the case for nutrition claims, such as “low in saturated fat” or “source of fiber.” It also applies to health claims, such as ‘probiotic’ or “nutritious.” Compliance with these requirements must be verified by referring to the regulations to confirm that the product meets them.

For other claims, such as those regarding composition (e.g., vegetarian, no artificial flavors) or production method (e.g., artisanal, natural), the guidelines of the Canadian Food Inspection Agency (CFIA) must be followed. If no guidelines exist, section 5 (1) of the Food and Drugs Act states that " No person shall label, package, treat, prepare, or sell, or advertise any food, in a manner that is false, misleading, or deceptive, or is likely to create an erroneous impression regarding its character, value, quantity, composition, merit or safety." In other words, any statement on the packaging must be true and not misleading. Claims made on packaging must be substantiated.

Some statements are not claims and are not required by regulation. However, some customers or distributors may require them. For example, barcodes or item numbers are required by some distributors.

What measures should be put in place to ensure labeling compliance?

Checking food packaging involves more than just checking the mandatory information. You must ensure that it is accurate, properly placed, and compliant with regulations. Here are some concrete actions to consider:

1. Use checklist

Depending on the products and the country where they are sold, a tailored checklist can be very useful. It helps ensure that nothing is forgotten, such as the product name, net quantity, or list of ingredients and allergens. However, it must remain flexible. This allows for the inclusion of displayed elements, such as claims or marketing statements. The goal is to verify their accuracy and compliance, while avoiding omitting necessary elements.

2. Train teams regularly

Labeling rules change often. To avoid errors, it is essential to train teams on regulatory changes. A well-informed team ensures effective and compliant review.

3. Promote collaboration between departments

Packaging compliance does not depend on a single person or department. It often involves several stakeholders. Good communication between departments (research and development, marketing, quality, purchasing, etc.) helps prioritize revisions at the right time, while considering printing deadlines, for example. It may be wise to involve the compliance manager from the product development stage. This can save time and avoid reworking later.

4. Ask for help from consultants

Regulations are complex and vary depending on the product and market. Consulting with labeling experts can help you make sure your packaging is up to snuff. This saves you from costly mistakes and gets your product to market faster.

What are the main pitfalls to avoid when labeling a product?

Even with best practices, mistakes often occur when designing or revising food packaging. These oversights can result in penalties, product recalls, or a loss of consumer confidence. Here are the main pitfalls to avoid:

1. Assuming that old labels are still valid

Previously used packaging does not always comply with current standards. Regulations change frequently. For example, a product launched a few years ago may need to be updated today. These regulatory changes may require modifications to the nutrition facts table or the addition of the nutrition symbol, for example.

2. Using unverified claims

Claims such as “natural,” “no added sugar,” or “high in fiber” are appealing, but they must be justified and documented. Using a claim that is misleading or does not meet requirements can lead to non-compliance or legal action.

3. Lack of rigor in readability

Regulations also apply to format: minimum font size, contrast with the background, and placement of mandatory information. Information that is difficult to read may be considered non-compliant.

4. Failing to verify official languages

In Canada, for example, information must be in English and French (with some exceptions). Forgetting an official language or providing a poor translation is a common mistake that can delay market launch.

In conclusion, it is important to keep in mind this fundamental requirement, which will help you avoid several mistakes: the information on packaging must be true and not misleading, whether it is mandatory or voluntary.

How Datahex can help?

At Datahex, we help you achieve food labeling compliance with confidence. Our experts clarify regulations and eliminate uncertainty. They ensure that packaging complies with Canadian or US regulations. We also offer practical training to help teams apply regulations in a concrete way.