When it comes to food labels, accuracy isn’t just a suggestion—it’s a legal requirement. Whether you’re a small food producer or a large manufacturer, it's essential to follow FDA label rules to avoid costly recalls and protect your brand’s reputation. 

A simple oversight, like missing an allergen declaration, can have serious consequences for both your business and your customers.

In this blog, we’ll review common labeling mistakes that have led to product recalls and discuss how you can ensure your labels are compliant with food label requirements.

Even if your product is perfectly safe, inaccurate or incomplete food labels can still result in a recall. Regulatory agencies like the FDA require clear, precise information on all food packaging to protect consumers, especially those with food allergies or dietary restrictions.

Here are a few recent examples of companies that had to recall products due to labeling errors:

1. 1. Gerber Baby Food Recall
   Gerber recalled its Cheese Ravioli Pasta Pick-Ups because it didn’t list egg in the "contains" allergen list, although egg was included in the ingredient list. This error could have caused severe allergic reactions in people sensitive to eggs.
   
   
2. 2. Whiskey Hill Jerky Recall
   Whiskey Hill Smokehouse had to recall its jerky products due to an undeclared allergen: soy. The recall affected various jerky types, including beef, venison, and ostrich, showing how wide-reaching the impact can be when label requirements aren’t met.
   
   
3. 3. Sunshine Bakery Cakes Recall
   Sunshine Bakery voluntarily recalled several cake products, including cassava and mixed nut mooncakes, due to undisclosed allergens like peanuts, coconut, and cashews. Some of these products also contained sunflower seeds, further complicating the issue.
   
   
4. 4. Picone Meat Specialties Salami Recall
   Picone Meat Specialties recalled over 5,700 pounds of salami because it contained non-fat dry milk, a known allergen that wasn’t listed on the label. The USDA’s Food Safety and Inspection Service found the issue during a routine check, leading to the recall.

The FDA’s food label requirements cover several critical areas, including:

• Ingredient Lists: All ingredients must be listed in descending order by weight. This ensures consumers know exactly what they’re eating.
• Allergen Statements: Major allergens, such as milk, eggs, soy, peanuts, and wheat, must be clearly disclosed. This is a key part of protecting consumers from allergic reactions.
• Nutrition Facts: The nutrition facts panel must be formatted according to FDA guidelines and include accurate information about calories, fat, carbohydrates, protein, vitamins, and more.
• Other Claims: If your product makes claims like "organic" or "gluten-free," you need to comply with additional FDA regulations that govern those terms.

Staying up to date on FDA label rules is more important now than ever. The FDA continues to update its regulations, and new requirements are often added to reflect current health guidelines and consumer expectations.

For example, the FDA has been updating the nutrition facts panel to provide more transparency regarding added sugars and serving sizes. As regulations change, businesses must adapt their labels accordingly, or risk having noncompliant labels that could result in recalls.

Accurate food labeling is essential for both compliance and customer trust. Missing information, such as undisclosed allergens, can have serious consequences, including product recalls and potential harm to consumers.

By keeping up with FDA labeling rules and working with a trusted label partner, you can avoid costly mistakes and ensure that your products meet all necessary food label requirements.

Need help with your food labels? Reach out to Lightning Labels today to get started on designing and printing FDA-compliant labels for your products.