Labeling Requirements for Retail Products in the U.S.
Labels and packaging are an important factor in the production and sale of consumer goods. The packaging solutions make up a lucrative industry, with analysts projecting a $7 billion revenue in the next three years. Food, cosmetics, drugs, and other consumables have a huge share in the amount.
Labels and packaging are an important factor in the production and sale of consumer goods. The packaging solutions make up a lucrative industry, with analysts projecting a $7 billion revenue in the next three years. Food, cosmetics, drugs, and other consumables have a huge share in the amount.
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<strong>Label<strong>in</strong>g</strong> <strong>Requirements</strong><br />
<strong>for</strong> <strong>Retail</strong> <strong>Products</strong> <strong>in</strong><br />
<strong>the</strong> U.S.<br />
Red Rider Creative<br />
http://www.redridercreative.com
Labels and packag<strong>in</strong>g are an important<br />
factor <strong>in</strong> <strong>the</strong> production and sale of<br />
consumer goods. The packag<strong>in</strong>g solutions<br />
make up a lucrative <strong>in</strong>dustry, with analysts<br />
project<strong>in</strong>g a $7 billion revenue <strong>in</strong> <strong>the</strong> next<br />
three years. Food, cosmetics, drugs, and<br />
o<strong>the</strong>r consumables have a huge share <strong>in</strong><br />
<strong>the</strong> amount.<br />
As market<strong>in</strong>g cont<strong>in</strong>ues to be a<br />
determ<strong>in</strong><strong>in</strong>g factor of sales, packag<strong>in</strong>g and<br />
label<strong>in</strong>g service providers put a strong<br />
focus on <strong>the</strong> design and <strong>the</strong> material to set<br />
one product apart from <strong>the</strong> o<strong>the</strong>r. But,<br />
<strong>the</strong>re are elements that have to be uni<strong>for</strong>m<br />
to <strong>the</strong> packag<strong>in</strong>g of consumables.<br />
The U.S. Food and Drug Adm<strong>in</strong>istration<br />
states label<strong>in</strong>g requirements <strong>for</strong> retail<br />
goods <strong>in</strong> <strong>the</strong> country. The follow<strong>in</strong>g content<br />
summarizes <strong>the</strong> important po<strong>in</strong>ts.<br />
Disclos<strong>in</strong>g Ingredients and Warn<strong>in</strong>gs<br />
The FDA’s Federal Food, Drug, and<br />
Cosmetic Act states that labels <strong>for</strong><br />
cosmetics and drugs must have a<br />
declaration of <strong>in</strong>gredients. This only applies<br />
to retail products, mean<strong>in</strong>g those <strong>for</strong><br />
wholesale trade, distribution, and o<strong>the</strong>r<br />
similar purposes are exempt.
The <strong>in</strong>gredient declaration must be:<br />
• Conspicuous so consumers are likely to read it immediately<br />
• On any of <strong>the</strong> packag<strong>in</strong>g material’s visible panels<br />
• Written <strong>in</strong> letters not smaller than 1/16 of a square <strong>in</strong>ch (<strong>for</strong> those with<br />
conta<strong>in</strong>ers 12 square <strong>in</strong>ches and above) or 1/32 of a square <strong>in</strong>ch <strong>in</strong> height (<strong>for</strong><br />
those with conta<strong>in</strong>ers smaller than 12 square <strong>in</strong>ches)<br />
• Able to properly list <strong>the</strong> <strong>in</strong>gredients <strong>in</strong> descend<strong>in</strong>g order of predom<strong>in</strong>ance<br />
Warn<strong>in</strong>g labels should also be legible. <strong>Products</strong> <strong>in</strong> self-pressurized conta<strong>in</strong>ers, such as<br />
deodorants and bubble bath products, need to have warn<strong>in</strong>g labels. <strong>Products</strong> not tested<br />
<strong>for</strong> safety should have a label read<strong>in</strong>g, “Warn<strong>in</strong>g — The safety of <strong>the</strong> product has not<br />
been determ<strong>in</strong>ed.”
Display<strong>in</strong>g Units of Measurement: The<br />
Fair Packag<strong>in</strong>g and <strong>Label<strong>in</strong>g</strong> Act<br />
The Fair Packag<strong>in</strong>g and <strong>Label<strong>in</strong>g</strong> Act also lists<br />
a few requirements. It applies to goods sold<br />
based on weight or measure. It applies to <strong>the</strong><br />
net quantity content of products consumers<br />
can buy <strong>in</strong> retail stores. As such, <strong>the</strong> act does<br />
not apply to all packaged goods.<br />
In 1992, <strong>the</strong> FLPA was amended to make <strong>the</strong><br />
display of metric (SI) units mandatory <strong>for</strong><br />
retail labels. The metric units were helpful,<br />
and manufacturers readily followed <strong>the</strong> new<br />
rule.<br />
The amendment also allowed manufacturers<br />
to use both metric (centimeter/kilogram/liter,<br />
etc.) and U.S. customary units<br />
(<strong>in</strong>ch/pound/p<strong>in</strong>t, etc.) <strong>in</strong> label<strong>in</strong>g <strong>the</strong>ir<br />
products.<br />
The two acts serve as guidel<strong>in</strong>es <strong>for</strong><br />
manufacturers to <strong>in</strong>clude label<strong>in</strong>g details that<br />
are helpful to consumers. By follow<strong>in</strong>g <strong>the</strong><br />
guidel<strong>in</strong>es, manufacturers abide by <strong>the</strong> law<br />
and add value to <strong>the</strong>ir products.<br />
Sources:<br />
• http://www.fda.gov/Cosmetics/<strong>Label<strong>in</strong>g</strong>/Regulations/ucm126438.htm<br />
• http://www.nist.gov/pml/wmd/laws/pack-lab.cfm<br />
• http://www.redridercreative.com/