Bags, clamshell or other types of retail packing of
produce must be labeled with the following four FDA required items:
1) name of the product
2) name and address of the packer or distributor
3) net weight
4) the ingredient statement
The name of the product must be on the front panel of
the retail pack, also called the principal display panel, in lettering
at least half the height of the most prominent lettering.
The name and address of the packer or distributor of
the product can be on the principal display panel or on the back of the
retail pack in lettering at least 1/16" in height.
The net weight statement must appear on the principal
display panel with the minimum height determined by the surface area of
the side of the retail pack that is labeled. For a retail pack having a
principal display panel area of 100-400 square inches, lettering must be
1/4" in height. For a retail pack having a panel area of 25-100
square inches, lettering must be 3/16" in height. The net weight
statement must appear in the bottom 30% of the principal display panel
in both the customary inch/pound system of measure and the SI metric
system.
The ingredient statement should reflect
the use of any food additives, including wax. The ingredient statement
must be on the same panel as the name and address of the packer or
distributor (either principal display panel or on the back panel). The
listing must be at least .1/16" in height and clearly legible.
No post harvest chemicals, such as fungicides or pesticides, need be
listed on the retail pack.
The bulk shipping container for the retail packaged fruit must be
labeled with the name of product, the shipper's name and address and the
post harvest chemicals as described under requirements for bulk shipping
containers. If, however, the retail packaged fruit is not shipped within
a bulk container, the post harvest chemical information must be
disclosed on the outside of the retail pack.
Example:
APPLES
NET WT: 3 lb. (1.36 kg)
DISTRIBUTED BY GOOD FRUIT, INC.
BOX 4521
FRUITVILLE, WA 88888
COATED WITH FOOD GRADE VEGETABLE AND/OR SHELLAC BASED WAX TO MAINTAIN
FRESHNESS
2/8/08
