Nutrition Labeling Starts with the Recipe
For a small or midsize food producer, a Nutrition Facts label often becomes urgent when a retailer asks for one or packaging is ready to go to print. But nutrition labeling starts much earlier, with product formulation and how the product is actually made.
An accurate Nutrition Facts panel depends on accurate product information: the complete formula by weight, ingredient specifications, batch yield, finished product weight, package size, and processing steps that change moisture, fat, or final yield. Serving size and servings per container also require careful review under the applicable labeling requirements.
If those inputs are incomplete or outdated, even a polished Nutrition Facts panel can be wrong.
The Nutrition Facts panel is also only one part of the package. Ingredient declarations and allergen statements need to match the product you are actually producing. A supplier substitution, recipe adjustment, ingredient change, or significant yield change may require another label review.
Keeping a controlled formula, current ingredient specifications, and a record of label versions makes those reviews much easier as production grows.
Some small businesses and low-volume products may qualify for an FDA nutrition labeling exemption, but eligibility depends on the business, the product, sales volume, and how the product is marketed. Nutrition or health claims can also affect eligibility. An exemption from the Nutrition Facts requirement does not remove the other mandatory labeling requirements that apply to the product.
AgriForaging Compliance Services works with food producers to develop Nutrition Facts panels, ingredient declarations, and allergen statements using formulation data, production information, and regulatory review.
Before the label goes to print, it should reflect the formulation, process, and product actually coming off the production line.
Laboratory nutrition analysis can cost $1,000 or more per recipe. For many products, AgriForaging can develop a Nutrition Facts panel from formulation and production data for $175 per recipe.
Need a Nutrition Facts panel for your product? See what information we need, how the process works, and whether formulation-based analysis fits your product.
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