How to Make Nutrition Labels for North America

How to Make Nutrition Labels for North America

BY: TRAVIS WAYNE / DATE: 05/12/2024 / TOPICS: ŻYWNOŚĆ I NAPOJE, LABEL DESIGN, REGULATORY COMPLIANCE

Nutrition Facts labels are essential for consumers when making purchasing decisions, but for food manufacturing companies, the label represents much more than just calorie counts and ingredient lists. While changes to food labeling requirements are infrequent, they can be substantial when they occur. Companies must know how to make an accurate nutrition label while staying informed about regulatory changes that can reduce negative impacts such as fines, recalls, wasted materials, or damage to consumer trust.   

Learn more about food labeling software

According to the US Department of Agriculture (USDA), 80% of consumers, or four out of five adults ages 20 and older, regularly refer to the Nutrition Facts on food before making food purchasing decisions. The Nutrition Facts table lists calories, fats, fibers, carbohydrates, and other nutritional information which helps consumers compare products to make healthier choices. 

Nutrition Facts labeling rules and why accurate labels are important

The Food & Drug Administration (FDA) requires Nutrition Facts labels on all packaged foods for manufacturers exporting goods into the US.

Back in 2016, the Nutrition Facts label was updated to call attention to the connection between diet and chronic diseases such as obesity and heart disease, making it easier for consumers to make more informed food choices.

As of January 1, 2020, food and beverage manufacturers with annual US sales exceeding $10 million must comply with new Nutrition Facts label requirements. These updates include a redesigned barcode with bold elements and larger fonts, an updated list of required nutrients and daily values, and revised serving sizes with dual-column labeling for certain package sizes.

To meet these requirements, food manufacturers need a barcode label software solution that can adapt to various label formats and sizes, applying dynamic styling to highlight common food allergens, and providing robust database connections to ensure data accuracy.

Updated Nutrition Facts labels incorporate the following changes: 

• Serving size should reflect the amount of food customarily consumed
• Increased prominence of “Calories” and “Servings per container”
• New nutrients will be required (added sugars, Vitamin D, and Potassium), and others will become optional (vitamins A and C)

The US and Canada underwent a transitional period to allow the food and beverage industry time to implement changes introduced in 2016. By now, all manufacturers should be meeting compliance. Meanwhile, Mexico announced changes to their Nutrition Facts label and their transitional period is set to end October 1, 2025.

Food manufacturers must carefully consider the requirements for all three North American countries. While the nutrition labeling regulations share many similarities, they also include some minor differences. Food manufacturers must ensure compliance with labeling requirements in any region where their products are sold.

Why it's important to have the right nutritional information

If nutrition labels are designed incorrectly, the repercussions can be significant for both the food manufacturers and consumers. For manufacturers, inaccurate labels can lead to legal action for “misbranding,” resulting in warnings, product recalls, and fines. For consumers, relying on inaccurate labels could negatively impact their health and their brand loyalty. To ensure your labels are accurate, consider labeling software with built-in label templates to streamline the labeling process. 

Nutrition Facts label requirements by region

Below are the requirements for nutrition labels listed out by each North American country.

Requirements for creating Nutrition Labels in the US

• Calories must be in large font size
• Calories from fat are no longer required 
• Serving sizes must reflect realistic portion sizes, and listed in a large bold font
• Include "Added Sugars"
• Vitamin D and Potassium are required. Vitamin A and C are optional
• Dual columns are required if a food can be consumed in multiple sittings 
• Percent Daily Values (DV)
• Updated footnote

To learn more about the changes made to the nutrition label in the US, download the Navigating Food Labeling Requirements eBook.

Requirements for creating the Nutrition Facts table in Canada

• Calories must be in a large font with more white space
• Calories from fat are no longer required
• Serving size must be listed to reflect realistic portion sizes
• Updated order of ingredients so nutrients that contribute to calories are listed first
• Sugars must be grouped together in the ingredient list
• Percent Daily Value (DV) is required for sugars
• Potassium is required. Vitamin A and C are optional
• Measurements and percent Daily Value are required to be listed for vitamins and minerals
• Updated footnote 

Requirements for creating Nutrition labels in Mexico

• Sugars must be grouped together in the ingredient list 
• Added Sugars and Trans Fat are required in bold
• List of allergens is updated and required in bold 
• Front of Package (FOP) declarations required for excessive calories, sugars, fats (saturated and trans), and sodium 
• Label header must be updated from Nutritional Information to Nutritional Declaration 
• Voluntary ingredients updated units of measurement
• Labels can be presented in Spanish only or Spanish English for bilingual customers

There are three phases for Mexico’s nutrition labeling regulations. Phase 1 and Phase 2 have been defined, and Phase 3 begins on October 1, 2025. Phase 1 required manufacturers to include the new front-of-package (FOP) warning symbols on all product packaging, as well as an updated list of allergens, added sugars and trans-fat as mandatory label nutrients, and modified declarations requirements for voluntary nutrients.

Phase 2 builds on Phase 1 and introduces changes focusing on nutrients in processed foods such as added sugars, fats, and sodium. It also has specific thresholds for excess calories, sugars, fats, or sodium. These must be listed out using warning symbols, which are octagonal, with black and white seals, also known as “sellos”.

Phase 3 maintains nutrient thresholds in Phase 2 but includes new criteria for the warning symbols. If products have added sugars, fats, or sodium, they will need to be assessed for all nutrients of concern, such as Energy (kcal), sugars, saturated fats, trans fats, and sodium. 

Examples of warning symbols (sellos) in Mexico

Nutrition Facts labeling software features that help

To comply with food labeling standards and create accurate Nutrition Facts labels, it’s essential to choose a software provider with features designed to help you meet specific regulations. By using CODESOFT barcode label design software you can easily make compliant nutrition labels to avoid legal action or fines with the help of: 

• Database connections and variable data for creating and printing Nutrition Facts labels.
• Compliant label templates for ease of labeling. CODESOFT includes free label samples.
• Tagged Text Management to automatically highlight allergens when listed in ingredients.
• Reliable customer support team to help walk you through label design.

Learn about more features and food regulations in our Food Labeling White Paper. 

If you need to centrally manage your labeling processes, use TEKLYNX CENTRAL and: 

• Combine label design, label traceability, and print automation
• Enable a browser-based printing interface
• Get a complete version history and audit trail through a lifecycle to help pinpoint where errors are made
• Manage unlimited printers from a single server, on-premises or in the cloud 

How to create nutrition labels using label templates in CODESOFT

TEKLYNX advanced barcode labeling solution, CODESOFT, helps companies easily create, manage, and update Nutrition Facts labels. With the help of nutrition label templates, companies can establish their Nutrition Facts label and select the correct data directly in the software to print accurate labels in accordance with the varying nutrition labeling requirements where products are being sold.

Step-by-step on how to make a nutrition label in CODESOFT

1. Download the Nutrition Facts label. This is updated with the newest FDA regulations. You can download the label on our website, or right in the software. Download the US Nutrition Facts label template.
2. Open your downloaded Nutrition Facts label. If you have CODESOFT installed, the label will open right in the software.
3. To update the nutritional information, click print. Once you click print go to the form tab at the top.
4. Here you can update any fields with all the nutritional information you need to match the product the label will be going on.
5. After updating the information, just click print. Now you have your first label.

If you are creating Nutrition Facts labels that are more complex and ever-changing you can connect the label template to your preferred database like Access or Excel. Watch the video to learn how to connect an excel spreadsheet or access database to your CODESOFT label template.  

Accurate nutrition labels are important and so is choosing the right software

If companies follow the correct industry regulations for Nutrition Facts, they can improve their supply chain operations, inventory management, and reduce errors to avoid product recalls. Not only do accurate food labels improve business operations, but consumer safety as well. Choosing a barcode labeling software provider that helps your business meet regulations helps everyone.

TEKLYNX provides software solutions to help simplify the labeling process with label samples and software features. Meet any food and beverage labeling requirement by using CODESOFT. Download a free 30-day trial to start creating and managing your Nutrition Facts labels with CODESOFT or get in touch with a labeling expert if you need help meeting compliance.

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