Food Label Requirements

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The Ingredient List

  • List ingredients in descending order , sorted by weight. The ingredient with most weight is listed first, and the ingredient with the least weight is listed last.
  • list the common or usual name for ingredients unless there is a regulation that provides for a different term. For instance, use the term "sugar" instead of the scientific name "sucrose."
    Example - INGREDIENTS: Apples, Sugar, Water, and Spices
  • Trace ingredients do not need to be listed if a substance is an incidental additive and has no function or technical effect in the finished product. Sulfites are considered to be incidental only if present at less than 10 ppm.
  • Chemical preservatives that are added to a food, must be included using both the common or usual name of the preservative and the function of the preservative by including terms, such as "preservative" "to retard spoilage" "a mold inhibitor" "to help protect flavor" or "to promote color retention."
    Example - INGREDIENTS: Dried Bananas, Sugar, Salt, and Ascorbic Acid to Promote Color Retention.
  • Spices may be declared in ingredient lists by using either specific common or usual names or by using the declarations "spices," "flavor" or "natural flavor," or "artificial flavor."
    Example - INGREDIENTS: Apple Slices, Water, Cane Syrup, Corn Syrup, Modified Corn Starch, Spices, Salt, Natural Flavor and Artificial Flavor

Water as an ingredient

"...Water added in making a food is considered to be an ingredient. The added water must be identified in the list of ingredients and listed in its descending order of predominance by weight. If all water added during processing is subsequently removed by baking or some other means during processing, water need not be declared as an ingredient."
Compliance Policy Guide 555.875

  • Example - Can of beans:
    • INGREDIENTS: Pinto Beans, Water, Salt.
  • Example - Cookies:
    • INGREDIENTS: Flour, Sugar, butter, vanilla extract

In the "beans" example, water is a part of the ingredient list. However, it is NOT part of the "cookies" example because all water has been removed during the baking process.

Be sure to consult the guide provided on the FDA site for specific information, requirements, and regulations concerning your product.