21 CFR Part 101 - Food Labeling

What it says

Packaged food labels must carry specific information, including the statement of identity, the net quantity of contents, the ingredient list in descending order of weight, the name and place of business of the manufacturer, packer or distributor, nutrition labeling in the required format, and the declaration of major food allergens, and claims made on the label must meet the conditions the regulation sets.

Paraphrased for plain-language clarity. Always verify against the current published regulation text.

What it means in practice

• Label content is tied to the actual formulation, so a recipe change generally means a label review.
• Nutrition and allergen information have to match what is in the product, which makes label control part of quality control in food plants.
• Claims, such as nutrient content claims, carry their own criteria that the product must meet.

What FDA inspectors look for

• Whether label information matches the product formulation.
• Whether the correct label is applied to the correct product.
• Whether claims on the label are supported.

Related regulations