Triplicate

FDA food label requirements for imported food: panels, English, allergens

Packaged food sold in the US must carry FDA-required label statements in set places: the name of the food and net quantity on the front (principal display panel), and the manufacturer's or distributor's name and address, ingredients, Nutrition Facts and allergen information on the information panel. Labels must be in English, and imported food also needs a conspicuous country of origin.

Checked against official sources: 2026-10

At a glance

Principal display panelStatement of identity (name of the food) and net quantity of contents
Net quantityIn both metric and US customary units, as a distinct item in the bottom 30 percent of the principal display panel
Information panelName and address of the manufacturer, packer or distributor, ingredient list, Nutrition Facts and allergen labeling
Ingredient listOn the same panel as the name and address of the manufacturer, packer or distributor
LanguageEnglish; if a foreign language appears anywhere, all required statements in English and that language
Major allergens9: milk, eggs, fish, crustacean shellfish, tree nuts, peanuts, wheat, soybeans, sesame (since 1 January 2023)
Allergen declarationIn the ingredient list, in parentheses after the ingredient, or in a "Contains" statement next to the ingredient list
Country of originConspicuous; near a US distributor's name and address with comparable lettering size

Where each statement goes

FDA allows all required statements on the principal display panel (PDP), or a split between the PDP and the information panel. The statement of identity and the net quantity statement go on the PDP and any alternate PDP. The net quantity is a distinct item in the bottom 30 percent of the PDP and is shown in both metric and US customary units, for example "Net wt 1 lb 8 oz (680g)".

The name and address of the manufacturer, packer or distributor, the ingredient list, Nutrition Facts and required allergen labeling go on the information panel if they are not on the PDP. The ingredient list sits on the same panel as the name and address, and the Nutrition Facts label may go on the PDP or the information panel together with them.

Label checklist for food exported to the US

Language, allergens and origin

Required label statements must be in English. If a foreign language is used anywhere on the label, all required statements must appear both in English and in that language.

The 9 major food allergens are milk, eggs, fish, crustacean shellfish, tree nuts, peanuts, wheat, soybeans and sesame, which became the ninth on 1 January 2023. They are declared by their name in the ingredient list, in parentheses after the ingredient, or in a "Contains" statement immediately after or next to the ingredient list. For imported food, the country of origin statement must be conspicuous, and when a US firm is named as distributor, the origin must appear near its name and address in comparable lettering.

Step by step

  1. Write the statement of identity and the net quantity (metric and US units) on the front panel.
  2. Put the name and address, ingredient list, Nutrition Facts and allergen information on the information panel.
  3. Check every ingredient for the 9 major allergens and declare them in the ingredients or a "Contains" statement.
  4. Make sure every required statement is in English, and repeated in any other language used on the label.
  5. Add a conspicuous country of origin, close to the US distributor's name if one is shown.

Documents you usually need

Common problems and how to avoid them

The net weight is shown only in grams.

What to do: Show the net quantity in both metric and US customary units, in the bottom 30% of the front panel.

The label is in English and Chinese, but the ingredients are only in Chinese.

What to do: If a foreign language is used, every required statement must appear in both English and that language.

Sesame oil is used but sesame is not declared.

What to do: Declare sesame as a major allergen in the ingredient list or a "Contains" statement; this has applied since 1 January 2023.

The US importer's name appears on the label without the country of origin nearby.

What to do: Place the country of origin near the US distributor's name and address, in comparable lettering.

Sources

  1. Food Labeling Guide U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA)
  2. The FASTER Act: Sesame Is the Ninth Major Food Allergen U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA)

Rules change often. This note is practical guidance based on the sources above, not legal advice. Confirm current requirements with the authority, your importer or a licensed customs broker before you ship.

Port codes by country

United States port codes (UN/LOCODE)
Share with a colleagueWhatsAppLinkedInX

Trade notes

Exporting Food to the US: FDA Registration, Prior Notice and FSVPExporting food to the US in 2026: FDA facility registration and renewal, prior notice, FSVP, canned food filings, labels, allergens, FDA holds and…EU food labelling rules under Regulation 1169/2011: what the label must showWhat a prepacked food label needs in the EU under Regulation (EU) No 1169/2011: the 12 mandatory particulars, EU operator or importer, 1.2 mm…FDA prior notice for imported food: deadlines, data and confirmation numberHow FDA prior notice works for food shipped to the US: the 2, 4 and 8 hour minimums by road, rail, air and sea, the 15-day (PNSI) and 30-day (ACE)…

Had this problem? Share how you solved it

Tell us what happened and what worked. We read every message. With your permission we may add your case to this note, without your name or company.

Common questions

What must be on the front of a US food label?

The statement of identity (name of the food) and the net quantity of contents, in metric and US units, in the bottom 30% of the principal display panel.

Does a food label for the US have to be in English?

Yes. If another language is also used, all required statements must appear in both English and that language.

What are the 9 major food allergens in the US?

Milk, eggs, fish, crustacean shellfish, tree nuts, peanuts, wheat, soybeans and sesame.

How must allergens be declared?

In the ingredient list, in parentheses after the ingredient name, or in a "Contains" statement immediately after or next to the ingredient list.

Does imported food need a country of origin on the label?

Yes. It must be conspicuous, and placed near a US distributor's name and address if one is given, with comparable lettering size.

More free tools

Triplicate AI: your trade assistantCBM calculatorContainer loading calculatorPallet calculatorVolumetric weight calculatorAmount in words converterIncoterms 2020 chartWhich Incoterm should I use?Incoterms 2020 quizFree commercial invoice, packing list and proforma invoice templatesFree commercial invoice templateFree packing list templateFree proforma invoice templateFree shipping instruction (SI) templateFree export sales contract templateFree certificate of origin templateFree export price quotation templateFree purchase order template for importersExport email templatesFree sample invoice template (no commercial value)Shipping container dimensionsContainer number check and trackingDemurrage and detention calculatorPort code lookup (UN/LOCODE)Shipping Mark GeneratorCarton label generatorHS code lookupLetter of Credit ChecklistCertificate of Origin GuideLanded Cost & Import Duty CalculatorLanded cost per unit calculatorExport price calculator (Incoterms quotation)Currency ConverterTrade notesTrade & Shipping GlossaryInvoice & packing list generator

Triplicate is free and keeps getting better. Found it useful? Support Triplicate ♥