What are the best food labeling practices for safety and clarity?

1 Why label food?

Food labeling is essential for identifying the contents, ingredients, and allergens of your food products, as well as indicating the date of production, expiration, or best before. Labeling also communicates the nutritional value, serving size, and health claims of your food products, as well as providing instructions for storage, handling, and preparation. Moreover, it is necessary to label your food correctly to comply with legal and regulatory requirements for your location and market. Doing so can help you avoid confusion, errors, and liability issues while enhancing your reputation, quality, and customer satisfaction.

4 How to label food for delivery or takeout?

If you offer delivery or takeout services, it's important to label your food packages with the name and address of your business, the name and phone number of the customer, the order number and confirmation code, the date and time of delivery or pickup, as well as the name and description of each food item. Additionally, you should include allergen information and special requests for each food item, as well as heating or serving instructions. Furthermore, tamper-evident labels or seals should be used to ensure the integrity and safety of your food. Lastly, recyclable or compostable materials should be utilized to reduce your environmental impact.

5 How to label food for catering or events?

If you cater for events, such as weddings, parties, or conferences, it is important to label your food trays, platters, or stations with the name and description of each food item, allergen information and dietary options (e.g. gluten-free, vegan, or halal), serving utensils and garnishes, as well as the temperature and time limit for each food item. Furthermore, you should use attractive and consistent labels that fit your theme and style, as well as disposable or reusable materials that are easy to clean and transport.

6 How to label food for retail or wholesale?

If you are selling food products to retail or wholesale customers, such as supermarkets, restaurants, or distributors, it is essential that you label your food packages. This should include the name and description of your food product, the barcode and price, the name and address of your business or manufacturer, the list of ingredients in descending order of weight, allergen information in bold or separate from the ingredient list, date mark (e.g. use by, sell by, or best before), storage and handling instructions, cooking or reheating instructions (if applicable), nutritional information panel (if required or desired), and health claims and certifications (if applicable). Additionally, you should opt for eye-catching and distinctive labels that showcase your brand and value proposition. Moreover, use durable and secure materials to protect your food from damage and spoilage.

7 Here’s what else to consider

This is a space to share examples, stories, or insights that don’t fit into any of the previous sections. What else would you like to add?