Food label

A food label is a special type of label that provides information about a certain food.

Food labels help consumers understand the features of a food so they can make informed decisions .

The information contained in a food label depends, for the most part, on the regulations applicable to the food in question. These regulations detail the information that a food label should contain and which usually includes:

• The name of the manufacturer.
• The name of the importer.
• The ingredients used to produce the food.
• The origin of the ingredients.
• Serving size and calories.
• Allergy information.
• The sell-by, best-by and use-by date.
• Health claims, such as that the food reduces the risk of suffering from a specific disease in the future.

Apart from the information that is legally mandatory, manufacturers are usually free to use food labels recommended by the government or other public authorities. The Nutri-Score is a good example: although its usage is only recommended, it has been adopted by many manufacturers in countries such as France, Belgium or Germany.

Each country has its own food labeling regulations. As a result, the information displayed on a food label depends on the regulations applicable to the specific food manufacturer.

In the case of the European Union, food labeling is primarily governed by Regulation (EU) n° 1169/2011 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 25 October 2011 on the provision of food information to consumers. This regulation contains a list of mandatory food information which includes:

• The name or business name and address of the food business operator.
• The name of the food.
• The list of ingredients.
• The net quantity of the food.
• The date of minimum durability or the use-by date.
• Any special storage conditions and/or conditions of use.
• The country of origin or place of provenance.

Apart from Regulation (EU) n° 1169/2011, there are other rules in the EU governing specific areas of food labeling such as primary ingredients.

The way in which food labels are manufactured depends on how the food will be packaged. Foods packaged in carton, plastic or glass bottles will therefore require different labeling materials, inks and adherents.

In general, food labeling happens by dispensing a traditional paper label on their surface. However, traditional labels may not be the best choice under certain circumstances, in which case inkjet printing may offer better results.