Packaging and Labeling Requirements for Food Processors

NOTE: Information provided here is for guidance only. Packagers and processors are responsible for complying with all applicable laws and regulations.

Packaged products other than raw, uncut produce (fruits and vegetables) must comply with requirements under the Federal Fair Packaging and Labeling Act and the Federal Food, Drug and Cosmetic Act as modified by the Federal Nutrition Labeling and Education Act of 1990. These provisions have been adopted by the State of Connecticut. State requirements as specified by the federal acts cannot differ from the federal requirements.

Additional guidance:

Federal law requires that all labels contain at least four elements. These elements must be clear and conspicuous and located according to federal requirements. The four elements are:

1. The common or usual name of the product. Example: “Strawberry Jam”

2. The net quantity contained with the package, e.g., less tare in English and Metric unit declaration. Tare is equal to the weight of the packaging.

3. Declaration of responsibility, including the name and address of the processor or distributor, e.g., "Processed by," "Manufactured by," or "Distributed for" followed by the name of the processor/manufacturer. Name and full address including street address are required unless the processor is listed in a telephone directory. If so, the processor's name, town and state is an acceptable format.

4. Declaration of contents in order of predominance in the product by weight with the largest component occurring first, e.g., “Strawberries, sugar, spices.” Of particular importance is whether or not the product contains any of the top 8 allergens which must be listed by their common names.The allergens are:

Milk
Eggs
Peanuts
Tree nuts (such as almonds, cashews, walnuts)
Fish (such as bass, cod, flounder)
Shellfish (such as crab, lobster, shrimp)
Soy
Wheat

Note: Eggs, soy and wheat are of particular concern since many flavorings, thickeners and emulsifiers such as lecithin can be made from these products.

A packager may also submit a copy of the label to the Department of Consumer Protection for informal review and comment. While guidance and comment are offered, formal label approvals are not issued. Please send labels for comment to:

Division of Food & Standards
Department of Consumer Protection
Attn: Label Review
450 Columbus Blvd., Suite 901
Hartford, CT 06103