The eight things that you must know about food supplement labels. And why should you consider printing your labels in-house?

The nutritional supplement market is worth billions of dollars. The product labels must be clear and accurate to prevent expensive product recalls.

Key Elements of a Dietary Supplement Label

Entrepreneurs planning to enter this market must follow the eight guidelines for labeling below,

  1. Name and product identity:
    The label should highlight the product name, brand name, and descriptive terms, such as “Vitamin Supplement.”
  2. Net quantity of contents:
    The label should include the net weight, volume, or product count.
  3. Ingredients:
    This label should list all the ingredients in the product – any additives, flavorings, or coloring agents in descending order of weight or volume.
  4. Nutrition information:
    For a dietary supplement, the label must include a supplement facts panel that lists the specific nutritional ingredients contained in the product, such as vitamins and minerals. The label should also provide the daily value of each nutrient and the serving size.
  5. Health claims:
    Health claims made on the label must comply with regulatory requirements. The label should not make false or misleading claims about the product’s efficacy or health benefits.
  6. Allergen information:
    The label should clearly state if the product contains common allergens, such as milk, eggs, or soy.
  7. Contact information:
    The label should provide the name and address of the manufacturer, distributor, or packer of the product, as well as contact information, such as a phone number or email address.
  8. Other label requirements:
    The label should comply with other regulatory requirements, such as font size and type, label placement, and language requirements.

Useful Web Resources for Dietary Supplement Labels

These are some of the websites and resources that can guide you through the design of a food supplement label,

  1. US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) website: The FDA provides guidance documents on labeling requirements for dietary supplements under the “Dietary Supplements” section.
  2. Institute of Food Technologists (IFT) website: The IFT is a professional association for food scientists and technologists. Their website provides resources and guidance on food labeling requirements and best practices.
  3. LabelCalc website: LabelCalc is an online platform that provides label design and nutrition analysis services for food and supplement products. They also offer educational resources and webinars on labeling requirements and best practices.
  4. Health Canada website: Health Canada provides guidance documents on labeling requirements for natural health products, which include dietary supplements.
  5. NSF International website: NSF International is an independent organization that provides certification and testing services for food and supplement products. Their website offers guidance on labeling requirements and best practices for dietary supplements.

When designing a food supplement label, it is crucial to ensure that it complies with the local regulatory requirements and provides clear and accurate information to consumers.

You may also want to consult a legal expert to ensure your label design complies with all relevant regulations.

Why Use a Color Label Printer?

Using a color label printer is a good choice for dietary supplements. It offers

  • Flexibility in label design and customization: This can be especially important for dietary supplement products, which may require unique or eye-catching label designs to stand out on retail shelves.
  • Compliance: Regulatory laws may differ from one state/country to another. It would be best to have a labeling solution that allows you to produce labels that comply with regulatory requirements, including font size, label placement, production batch, expiry date, and language requirements.
  • Speed: With a label printer, you can print labels On-demand – make labels fast and efficiently to respond to changes in labeling requirements and avoid expensive product recalls.
  • Cost-effectiveness: Pre-printed labels are expensive, and printing with the color label printer helps reduce the cost/label.

VIPColor offers a range of cost-effective color-label printers starting at $3,495.

You may like to schedule a demo and receive a non-obligatory consultation session on how to get started.