Labeling Considerations for Meat and Produce

Meat and produce have specific labeling requirements that must be followed to help customers make informed decisions about the food they consume and allow for traceability in the supply chain. Labeling errors can lead to costly recalls that hurt the already-thin margins of meat and produce suppliers. 

The companies that supply these food products need to be aware of the specific produce labeling or meat labeling requirements, ensure they are being met, and apply the correct labels as quickly and accurately as possible. This labeling guide includes an overview of what suppliers need to know to streamline this labeling process.

What are the mandatory labeling requirements for meat?

The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) provides guidelines for labeling meat, poultry, and egg products. 

USDA meat labeling requirements for the product label include:

• product name
• inspection legend and establishment number
• handling statement
• net weight statement
• ingredients statement
• address line
• nutrition facts, and 
• safe handling instructions

The Labeling Requirements Guide states that this information must be prominent and conspicuous, and “in such terms as ‘to render it likely to be read and understood by the ordinary individual under customary conditions of purchase and use.’” 

There are other considerations to consider as well, such as meat Country of Origin labeling. According to the guide, “FSIS requires imported meat and poultry products to bear the name of the country of origin, preceded by the words ‘Product of.’”

The Labeling Requirements Guide breaks down all meat labeling requirements in greater detail.

What are the mandatory labeling requirements for produce?

According to the Produce Marketing Association, the produce industry uses various labels “for price identification, inventory tracking and category management,” which “can indicate the brand, variety, country of origin, a barcode and other information.” Specific labeling requirements differ between trade items, like cases and pallets, and the consumer units sold in stores.

Nutrition labeling for raw produce is voluntary, according to the Food and Drug Administration (FDA).

Produce suppliers should be aware that labeling requirements for produce may vary from country to country.

Importance of food labeling requirements for meat and produce

Proper meat labeling and produce labeling is important for several reasons. For consumers, it provides useful information that can help them make more informed decisions about what they eat and help keep them safe; meat labels, for example, are required to include nutrition facts and safe handling instructions.

For suppliers, correct labeling helps ensure that there is traceability in the supply chain. According to Packaging Labeling, if there is a problem with a product, a barcode and/or identification number on the label can be used to trace the product from the customer “back through the manufacturing, shipment, delivery, and raw material purchasing process such that the supplies of the original raw material can be identified.”

Of course, ideally these types of issues would be avoided altogether, as recalls can be costly and damage the brand reputation of the manufacturer. Again, this comes back to proper labeling; according to Food Engineering Magazine, more than 60 percent of FDA recalls are due to labeling issues, including poor quality barcodes, missing or incorrect information, and improperly positioned labels. 

Improving the Efficiency of Meat Labeling and Produce Labeling

Companies interested in creating the most accurate labeling process for meat, produce, and other food products should consider an automatic labeling system. Transitioning from manual labeling to a labeling machine can create a faster and more efficient process that is less likely to be impacted by human error. 

With print and apply machines, for example, a crisp, clean label with the proper information can be printed and smoothly applied to either an individual item, such as a package of meat, or to a larger case, tote, or pallet. 

At Paragon Labeling, our labeling machines can be configured to label for a variety of labeling applications because our products use a modular and flexible design that allows you to reconfigure your labeling system as your needs evolve, without needing to buy a whole new system. We understand the unique labeling requirements of food and beverage companies and have labeling expertise for a wide variety of food products, including meat and produce.

Interested in learning how a labeling system can help streamline your meat or produce labeling? Contact our labeling experts to learn more.

Food Labeling Requirements and Efficient Labeling Methods

Proper food labeling helps consumers make more informed decisions about their nutrition, and is a critical factor in traceability and security for manufacturers. The food and beverage suppliers who label their products must work within government regulations for food labeling as well as any additional food labeling requirements set by major retailers to improve traceability. Meeting these increasingly stringent requirements can be costly and time-consuming for manufacturers, especially for those operating on thin margins. 

Fortunately, there are automated food labeling methods that can help suppliers more efficiently fulfill labeling requirements and help keep consumers safe. 

What is Food Labeling?

Food labeling refers to the labeling of an individual food product, such as a box of cereal or a bag of chips, or the labeling of pallets and totes containing bulk shipments of food products.

Food Labeling Requirements: Food and Drug Administration

The food and beverage industry has strict labeling requirements set by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA). 

The FDA’s food labeling guide notes that there are two ways labels can be placed on packages and containers:

1. ​​Place all required label statements on the front label panel (the principal display panel or PDP), or,
2. Place certain specified label statements on the PDP and other labeling on the information panel (the label panel immediately to the right of the PDP, as seen by the consumer facing the product).

The PDP is the “portion of the package label that is most likely to be seen by the consumer at the time of purchase.” The statement of identity (name of the food) and the net quantity statement (amount of product) are required here.

To the right of the PDP is the information panel, which includes:

• the name and address of the manufacturer, packer, or distributor
• the ingredient list
• nutrition labeling 
• any required allergy labeling

The FDA has guidelines on the size and prominence of this label, stating that “For information panel labeling, use a print or type size that is prominent, conspicuous and easy to read.”

You can read the FDA’s food labeling guide for a full list of food labeling requirements.

Food Labeling Requirements: Retailer Requirements

In addition to government requirements, many major retailers have implemented their own food labeling requirements to improve processing and traceability. Walmart, for example, requires barcodes on the top and all four sides of the case for most food items, as well as other features such as the brand name and sub-brand for easy identification. These and other labeling requirements were put in place because incorrect labeling was making it harder for associates “to quickly find the correct products to deliver to the retail shelves”, according to Labeling & Coding News.

These retailer-specific labeling requirements add another layer of complexity for food and beverage suppliers who have a limited budget for labeling their products.

Importance of Labeling in Food and Beverage Industry

Food labeling requirements are important to the health and safety of consumers. 

On the consumer side, having clearly labeled nutrition and allergen information helps them make more informed choices about the products they buy and consume.

For manufacturers, proper food labeling is tied to traceability and security; according to Food Engineering,  “More than 60 percent of FDA recalls are due to labeling issues. Most of these errors relate to allergens. Processors inadvertently put the wrong label on products, a change in the ingredients (undeclared allergens) doesn’t show up on the label, or the label doesn’t include a complete list of allergens.”

To avoid these costly recalls, many food manufacturers are creating better supply chain visibility with technology that makes it easier and more cost-efficient to meet labeling requirements. Automatic labeling machines, for example, can be used to more quickly and consistently apply labels to products than manual processes, ensuring that barcodes are accessible and clearly visible. 

In fact, in the “Top 5 Trends in Enterprise Labeling” survey conducted by Loftware:

• More than 63% of respondents “report they are currently combining digital technology with traditional practices to improve supply chain operations.”
• More than 92% of respondents are working with labeling professionals to “help minimize or eliminate production stoppages, optimize supply chain operations, improve customer satisfaction and ultimately increase business.”
  • Source: Packaging Digest

When confronted with more stringent labeling requirements and the improved supply chain they support, food and beverage manufacturers should consider the ways they can modernize their existing processes. Consulting with labeling experts can help find solutions that will create a modular and flexible product line for the specific compliance needs of their industry.

Food Labeling Methods

Manual processes can be time-consuming and prone to human error, leading to costly errors if labels are placed incorrectly. Introducing technology like an automatic labeling machine is one of the ways that a food and beverage manufacturer can streamline the labeling process and increase efficiency. 

These solutions can be configured to accurately place labels on a wide array of products, totes, and pallets so that labels remain easy to read and process throughout the supply chain. At Paragon Labeling, our print and apply systems are designed to print crisp, clean labels used to deliver SKU data, nutritional information, safe handling instructions, Country Of Origin Labeling (COOL), lot codes, expiration dates, Track & Trace as well as PTI compliance labels for a variety of products and packaging. 

Learn about our food industry labeling machines here.

Food Labeling FAQs

Which government agency is responsible for regulating most U.S. food labeling?

The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) is “responsible for assuring that foods sold in the United States are safe, wholesome and properly labeled.” (source)

Where can a consumer find the FDA food labeling guide?

The FDA food labeling guide can be found at here. 

What is required to be on a food label?

According to the FDA Food Labeling Guide, food labels must include the statement of identity (name of food), net quantity statement (amount of product), the name and address of the manufacturer, packer or distributor, the ingredient list, nutrition labeling, and any required allergy labeling.

When did food labeling start?

The 1938 Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act was a “watershed in U.S. food policy”; according to the FDA, “The law provided for three kinds of food standards: 1) standards (definitions) of identity, 2) standards of quality, and 3) standards regulating the fill of container.” 

What foods are exempt from standard food labeling requirements?

According to the FDA Food Labeling Guide, some foods are exempt from the Food Allergen Labeling and Consumer Protection Act (FALCPA) labeling requirements: “raw agricultural commodities (generally fresh fruits and vegetables)” and “highly refined oils derived from one of the eight major food allergens and any ingredient derived from such highly refined oil.”