How to Make Nutrition Labels
A step-by-step guide to creating FDA-compliant nutrition labels
Nutrition labels are essential for food products. Not only are they required if you’re selling in retail, they’re also one of the first things shoppers check. According to the USDA, nearly 80% of adults read nutrition facts panels before buying.
This guide explains how to make nutrition labels that meet FDA rules and how to save time with ReciPal (for analysis and formatting) and Avery custom label printing service.
Quick links:
- Step 1: Know the FDA requirements
- Step 2: Simplify with ReciPal
- Step 3: Pick your nutrition label format
- Step 4: Print with Avery
- Final thoughts
- Nutrition label FAQs
Step 1: Know the FDA nutrition label requirements
Before you design anything, get familiar with FDA regulations. These rules make sure your labels are consistent, accurate, and useful for consumers.
At a minimum, FDA-compliant nutrition labels must include:
- Serving size and servings per container
Use standard reference sizes (cups, tablespoons, grams, etc.). - Calories
Display per serving. Round in increments of 5 (under 50 calories) or 10 (over 50). - Fat (total, saturated, and trans-fat)
Must be listed separately, even if the amount rounds to zero. - Cholesterol
Show in milligrams, rounded to the nearest 5 mg. - Sodium
Report in milligrams. Use 5 mg increments under 140 mg; 10 mg increments above. - Carbohydrates, fiber, and sugars
Must be included unless under 1 gram per serving (then note “Contains less than 1 gram”). - Protein
Required, rounded to the nearest gram. - Vitamin D, calcium, iron, potassium
Include both exact amounts and % Daily Value. Vitamins A and C are no longer required.
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Step 2: Simplify with Recipal
Manually calculating nutrition data can get complicated fast. ReciPal makes it simple:
Enter your recipe ingredients and amounts.
- Get an instant nutrition analysis.
- Download an FDA-compliant nutrition facts panel.
Beyond just calculating numbers, ReciPal can help you experiment with recipes to hit specific nutrition goals. Want to lower sodium, sugar, or fat per serving? You can tweak ingredients and instantly see how the changes affect your label. This is especially helpful for small food businesses trying to meet consumer preferences or meet specific dietary claims, like “low sodium” or “high fiber,” while keeping your product compliant.
Step 3: Pick your nutrition label format
ReciPal offers all FDA-approved nutrition label templates. You can choose the format that fits your packaging, from standard, vertical, tabular, or simplified. From there, you can customize fonts and layout while keeping everything compliant.
If you’re selling in multiple channels, like retail, farmers’ markets, or online shops, consider how your label format will look across different package sizes. A vertical layout may be best for bottles, while a simplified or tabular format might work better for smaller snack packs. Choosing the right format upfront makes it easier to keep your labels consistent as your product line grows.
Step 4: Print with Avery
Once your nutrition label is ready, bring it to life with Avery:
- Professional printing: Order custom labels with Avery custom printing for a polished, retail-ready look.
- Print yourself: Buy blank Avery labels in the size and shape you need, then print them on demand.
No matter which option you choose, double-check that your labels align perfectly on your packaging. A well-placed, clearly readable nutrition label not only looks professional, it also builds trust with customers. And if you plan to sell multiple products, printing a small batch first lets you make adjustments before committing to a larger run.
Final thoughts
Creating nutrition labels doesn’t have to be overwhelming. By using ReciPal for nutrition analysis and formatting, and Avery for high-quality label printing, you can make FDA-compliant nutrition labels that look professional and give customers the information they need.
Nutrition label FAQs: answers to common questions
Most packaged foods sold in retail require a FDA-compliant nutrition facts panel. Some small-batch or homemade items may have different rules, so always check local and federal regulations.
Serving sizes should follow FDA reference amounts for your product type. List in common measures (cups, tablespoons, pieces, or fluid ounces) and include metric equivalents (grams or milliliters). This is a key step when learning how to make a nutrition label.
Yes! With Avery blank labels and a compliant panel from ReciPal, you can print on demand. This makes it easy to produce professional, readable labels while keeping them FDA-compliant.
At minimum, your nutrition label should include calories, total fat, saturated fat, trans fat, cholesterol, sodium, total carbohydrates, dietary fiber, sugars, protein, and the minerals/vitamins: calcium, iron, potassium, and vitamin D. Vitamins A and C are optional.
Absolutely. Anytime you adjust ingredients or amounts, recalculate your nutrition facts with ReciPal and update your printed labels. This ensures your information is accurate and compliant.
Use ReciPal to generate a panel for each product. Then, select a consistent label format with Avery so all your products have a uniform, professional look. This approach makes it easier to scale your business while staying compliant.
