Food Labeling
Overview
Governmental intervention in food labeling typically aims at improving human health and safety, supporting domestic agricultural and food manufacturing industries, and averting international trade disputes. Pursuant to the Federal Food Drug and Cosmetic Act and its amendments, food labeling addresses nutritional information and is required for most prepared foods, such as breads, cereals, canned and frozen foods, snacks, desserts, drinks, etc., whereas nutrition labeling for raw produce (fruits and vegetables) and fish is voluntary.
Read the full overview
Note: Recently added resources are posted at the top of the applicable sections.
Major Statutes
Regulations
21 C.F.R. §§ 101-199
Case Law
Note: Recently summarized cases are listed and linked in Recent Postings.
Administrative Law Decisions
Center Research Publications
Congressional Research Service Reports
Biotechnology
Animal Agriculture
Food Safety
Reference Resources
Food Labeling Guide
Draft Guidance for Industry: Voluntary Labeling of Biotech Foods
Food Labeling Publications
Qualified Health Claims
Food Labeling & Packaging Survey
How to Understand and Use the Nutrition Facts Panel
The Food Pyramid: The Food Label Connection
Transfats Labeling Information
Food Purchase Specifications
Child Nutrition Labeling
The Economics of Food Labeling
General Labeling Policies
Ingredients Policies
Labeling and Consumer Protection Service
Organics and Other Labeling Claim Policies
Packaging Policies
Quality Standards
Food Labeling Topic Page
Available Data to Help Consumers Select Healthy Foods (GAO-08-597)
Advertising
Beer Homepage
Distilled Spirits Homepage
Labeling
Wine Homepage
COLA Registry Database
Fact Sheet on Metric Labeling for Consumer Packages
State Weights and Measures Laws
Ecolabeling and Fisheries Technical Paper
Labeling to Communicate
Nutrition Labels and Health Claims: The Global Regulatory Environment
Dispute Settelement Gateway
Geographical Indications
TRIPS Agreement
WTO Publications
Regulation Concerning the Traceability and Labeling of Genetically Modified Organisms
Homepage for Food and Nutrition Labelling Issues
Product Labelling and Packaging
Labelling of Animal Feed Materials