List of food labeling regulations explained

The packaging and labeling of food is subject to regulation in most regions/jurisdictions, both to prevent false advertising and to promote food safety.

Regulations by type

Multi-faceted

• Codex Alimentarius (international voluntary standard)

Ingredients and basic nutrition

• Calorie count laws (restaurants)
• Ingredients list
• Nutrition facts label
• [Name & address of manufacturer]
• [Date:]

Nutritional rating systems

• Nutri-Score
• Traffic light rating system
• Health Star Rating System

Veracity

• False advertising
• Health claims

Food-handling materials

• Food safe symbol

Specific foods

• Olive oil regulation and adulteration
• Food grading labels
• Instructions for Use

Vegan

• "Certified Vegan" by Vegan Awareness Foundation trademark for vegan companies and organizations^[1]
• "PETA-Approved Vegan" by PETA for vegan products (clothing and accessory companies), United States, available worldwide^[2]
• "Sunflower symbol" by The Vegan Society, United Kingdom trademark for vegan food, available worldwide^[3]
• "V-Label" by the European Vegetarian Union, Swiss trademark for vegan items (specified by product), available worldwide^{[4] [5]}
• "Biocyclic Vegan" by BNS Biocyclic Network Services Ltd., Cyprus, for vegan organic production (e.g. vegetable production without manure)^[6]

Vegetarian

• "The green dot symbol" (Vegetarian mark), Indian requirement for food, available worldwide^[7]
• "V-Label" by the European Vegetarian Union, Swiss trademark for vegan and vegetarian items (specified by product), available worldwide^{[4] [5]}
• "Vegetarian Society Approved" by the Vegetarian Society, United Kingdom, available worldwide^{[8] [9]}

Farming practices

• Free range
• Grass fed beef
• Organic certification
• Sustainable agriculture
  • UTZ Certified

Religious certifications

• Halal (Islamic dietary laws)
• Kashrut (Kosher foods in Jewish law)

Controversies

• Ag-gag

Named geographic origin

• Appellation
• Geographical indication
• Country of origin
• Protected Geographical Status (European Union)
• Appellation d'origine contrôlée (France)
• Denominazione di Origine Controllata (Italy)

Genetic and commercial origin

• Labeling of genetically modified food
• Produce traceability
• Standards of identity for food

Preparation at site of consumption

• Shake well

Pricing

• Pay what you want (PWYW)
• Pay what you can (PWYC)
• Dine and dash
• Maximum retail price (MRP)

Safety information

• Alcohol abuse
• Danger zone (food safety)
• Five-second rule
• Food allergy
• Food intolerance
• Food safety
• Food sampling
• Food spoilage
• International Food Safety Network
• ISO 22000
• Shelf life dates ("Use by" and "Best before")
• Warning label
• Food Allergen Declaration FALCPA

By region

• FAO GM Foods Platform
• Food Administration

Asia

India

• Food Safety and Standards Authority of India

Thailand

• Phuket: "Yellow flag" for vegetarian food during ‘ngan kin jeh’ vegetarian festival

North America

Canada

• Food and Drugs Act
• Monsanto Canada Inc v Schmeiser

Mexico

• NOM-051-SCFI/SSA1-2010

United States

See main article: Early history of food regulation in the United States and Regulation of food and dietary supplements by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration.

• Acceptable Market Name
• Adulteration of Coffee Act 1718
• American Agricultural Law Association
• Dietary exposure assessments in the United States
• Dietary Supplement Health and Education Act of 1994
• Fair Packaging and Labeling Act (US)
• FDA Food Safety Modernization Act
• Federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act
• Federal Meat Inspection Act
• Food and Drug Administration Amendments Act of 2007
• Food and Drug Administration Modernization Act of 1997
• Food libel laws
• Food Quality Protection Act
• Generally recognized as safe
  • Global Food Security Act of 2009 Kevin's Law
• Mandatory country-of-origin labeling of food sold in the United States
• Personal Responsibility in Food Consumption Act
• Public Law 114-214, regulating GMO food labeling
• Pure Food and Drug Act
• Standards of identity for food
• Title 21 of the Code of Federal Regulations
• United States v. Correll
• United States v. Ninety-Five Barrels Alleged Apple Cider Vinegar

Europe

European Union

• Regulation (EC) No. 834/2007 of 28 June 2007 on organic production and labelling of organic products
• Regulation (EU) No 1169/2011
• Regulation 1151/2012 on quality schemes for agricultural products and foodstuffs: defines "labelling" as "any words, particulars, trade marks, brand name, pictorial matter or symbol relating to a foodstuff and placed on any packaging, document, notice, label, ring or collar accompanying or referring to such foodstuff".^[10]

United Kingdom

See main article: United Kingdom food information regulations.

• Assize of Bread and Ale
• McLibel case
• The Weights and Measures (Packaged Goods) Regulations 2006 http://www.legislation.gov.uk/uksi/2006/659/contents/made

Oceania

• Food Standards Australia New Zealand

New Zealand

• Food Act 1981

South America

Chile

• Food Labelling and Advertising Law

See also

• Food and drink prohibitions
• Food safety
• Food security

Notes and References

1. Web site: Certifying organization information. 20 September 2015.
2. Web site: PETA-Approved Vegan. 20 September 2015.
3. Web site: The Vegan Trademark. 22 March 2024.
4. Web site: Vegetarian Label by EVU. 20 September 2015.
5. Web site: Swissveg V-Label. 29 September 2015.
6. Web site: About us. 2021-01-03. BIOCYCLIC VEGAN STANDARD. en-US.
7. Web site: India's Vegetarian Mark. 20 September 2015.
8. Web site: Vegetarian Society Approved Website. 20 September 2015. 5 September 2015. https://web.archive.org/web/20150905062912/https://www.vegsoc.org/sslpage.aspx?pid=650. dead.
9. Web site: VegSoc Approved. 29 September 2015. https://web.archive.org/web/20151010024532/http://www.vegsocapproved.com/corporate08/index.asp. 10 October 2015. dead.
10. EUR-Lex, Regulation 1151/2012 on quality schemes for agricultural products and foodstuffs, article 3, accessed 27 June 2022