4 Basic Requirements  1. Statement of Identity  2. Name, Address, City, State and Zip Code  3.Net Quantity Statement  4. Ingredients List

Statement of Identity  Is the common or usual name of a product.  If there is none, then an appropriate descriptive name, that is not misleading.  Must appear on the principal display panel in bold type.  The form or style of the product must be included (sliced, whole, or chopped) unless shown by a picture or the product is visible through the container.

Name, Address, City, State and Zip Code  Can be person or business name  Physical address is required if name is not listed in a current city or telephone directory.  Qualifying phrase is required which states firm’s relation to the product if they are not the actual manufacturer (Manufactured for…, Distributed by…)  Exporting requires “Made in the U.S. A.”

Net Quantity Statement  Must be shown in both U.S. customary and metric equivalent (ounces to grams & fluid ounces to milliliters).  Must appear in lower 30% of the principal display panel of package.  Weight statement does not include weight of container, wrapper or packaging materials.  Weight can never be under what is stated on the package…it does not have to be exact.

Ingredients List  Must be listed in descending order of predominance based on weight of individual ingredients.  Sub ingredients must be listed in parenthesis following the name of the ingredient or declared by dispersing each ingredient in its order of predominance without naming the original ingredient.  Spices, flavors & colors may be lumped together without naming them specifically.

Food Allergen Labeling & Consumer Protection Act of 2004  May place the word “Contains” followed by the name of the food allergen source if it is not listed on the label:  Peanuts  Soybeans  Milk  Eggs  Fish  Crustaceans  Tree Nuts  Wheat

Batch/Lot or Evident Code  FDA requires a manufacturer must mark each container with a visible code delineating:  the processing establishment  the product  the year  the day  the packaging period

Nutrition Facts Panel  Only required if you sell more than 100,000. units in a year or have 100 full- time employees-must file exemption.  Annual sales fewer than 10,000. units and 10 full-time employees-don’t have to file exemption.  WVU Extension- Families and Health Programs creates nutrition facts panels free of charge.

Universal Product Codes*UPC  All-numeric code that identifies the company/product combination.  Previously owned by Universal Code Council-UCC – operated non-profit.  GS1 US - purchased August 2002-can buy individual bar codes from suppliers.  Required only on a label/package if the manufacturer want's to sell commercially to a retailer that has a POS system.

Uniform Open Dating Regulation  Adopted WV Code ; 3/9/1994  Requires “Sell By” Date for any product that has less than a 60 day shelf life.  Required “Best If Used By” Date for any product that has a 60 day to 6 months shelf life.  Long Shelf Life foods- more than 6 months- not required.  Must be displayed on package, or on a tag attached to the package.

Teresa A. Halloran Marketing Specialist-Foods Marketing and Development Division