How Do I Complain About FDA Food Label? Your Step-by-Step Guide

December 12, 2025 •

5 min read

According to the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA), accurate food labeling is crucial for public safety and consumer health. If you have encountered a misleading or incorrect label, you may be wondering, "how do I complain about FDA food label?" The process is straightforward and relies on having the right information and knowing which channels to use for your specific concern.

Quick Summary

Reporting a food labeling violation to the FDA involves gathering specific product information and choosing the appropriate contact method, which may include a regional coordinator or an online portal. Your report helps protect public health and ensures regulatory compliance.

Key Points

Document Everything: Collect all product details, including batch numbers, dates, and purchase information, before filing your complaint.
Choose the Right Method: Use the FDA Safety Reporting Portal for general issues or contact a local Consumer Complaint Coordinator for concerns involving health and illness.
Contact the Company First: Reaching out to the manufacturer directly can often lead to a swift resolution for minor issues and documents a failed response for a formal complaint.
Be Specific in Your Report: Clearly state the exact nature of the label violation, such as misleading claims, allergen misstatements, or inaccurate nutrition facts.
Understand the Follow-Up Process: The FDA assesses each complaint for public health risk, which may lead to regulatory actions like warning letters or inspections, though personal updates are not guaranteed.
Know What Constitutes a Violation: The FDA regulates accuracy for health claims, ingredients, nutrition facts, and allergens, all of which are valid reasons for a complaint.
Report Food-Related Illnesses Immediately: For issues involving illness or injury, it is critical to use the appropriate FDA channels and potentially contact local health authorities as well.

Navigating the process of filing a complaint about an FDA-regulated food label can feel intimidating, but it is a vital step in protecting public health and ensuring accurate product information. The FDA provides multiple avenues for consumers to report concerns, from misleading claims to undeclared allergens. Knowing which method to use and having the necessary information readily available will make the process smoother and more effective.

Gathering Your Information Before Filing

Before you initiate a complaint, it's essential to collect as much specific information as possible about the product and the incident. The more detail you can provide, the more helpful your report will be for the FDA's assessment. Be sure to gather the following:

Product Identification: The full product name, brand name, and the type of food (e.g., canned beans, packaged cookies). If possible, include photos of the front and back of the product packaging.
Manufacturer Details: The name and address of the manufacturer, distributor, or packer, which can typically be found on the label.
Package Codes and Dates: Look for batch numbers, lot codes, UPC codes, and expiration or "best by" dates. These codes are critical for identifying the specific product batch.
Purchase Information: The name and location of the store where you purchased the product, along with the date of purchase. Keep the receipt if you have it.
Nature of the Complaint: A clear and concise description of the labeling violation. Was a health claim misleading? Was an ingredient missing from the list? Did you have an allergic reaction to an unlisted allergen?
Personal Information (Optional): While you can report anonymously, providing contact information allows the FDA to follow up for additional details if needed.

Reporting Methods: A Comparison

There are several ways to report a food label complaint to the FDA. The best method depends on the nature and severity of your issue. For general concerns, an online portal may suffice, while for more urgent or localized issues, a direct phone call might be more appropriate.


Reporting Method	Best For	How to Report	Pros & Cons
Online Safety Reporting Portal	General, non-emergency labeling concerns; dietary supplements; pet food.	Use the Safety Reporting Portal website to submit an electronic report.	Pros: Convenient, available 24/7. Cons: Less personal interaction, may not be suitable for time-sensitive issues.
Consumer Complaint Coordinator (CCC)	Local or regional issues; concerns involving illness or injury.	Contact the CCC in your state or region via phone. A list of coordinators is available on the FDA website.	Pros: Direct communication with an FDA specialist who can follow up. Cons: Only available during business hours.
Manufacturer Contact	Minor errors; quick resolution of simple issues.	Find the company's customer service number or email on the product label and contact them directly.	Pros: Can lead to a faster resolution and sometimes a refund. Cons: Company may not take the complaint seriously, and it may not address the larger regulatory issue.
1-888-INFO-FDA	General inquiries and assistance navigating the reporting process.	Call the FDA's toll-free number for guidance on your specific issue.	Pros: Can help determine the best path forward. Cons: May require a follow-up action with a different method.

Step-by-Step Guide to Filing Your Complaint

Step 1: Contact the Company Directly

Before engaging the FDA, a productive first step is to contact the product manufacturer. By law, food companies are required to have a process for investigating complaints. This can often resolve issues quickly, and if they fail to act, your communication with the company can serve as additional evidence for your FDA report.

Step 2: Choose Your Reporting Channel

Based on the severity and nature of your complaint, decide whether to use the online portal or contact a Consumer Complaint Coordinator. If you experienced an allergic reaction or illness, contacting a CCC directly is the most effective approach. For general labeling issues like misleading claims, the online portal is an excellent choice.

Step 3: Complete and Submit Your Report

If using the online portal, fill out the electronic form with all the details you gathered. If contacting a CCC, have your information ready to provide to the coordinator over the phone. Ensure your explanation is clear and includes the evidence you collected, such as the product packaging codes.

Step 4: Follow Up (If Necessary)

After submitting, the FDA will assess your allegation and determine the risk to public health. While you will likely not receive specific updates on the FDA's investigation, especially if you reported anonymously, you can request information on the outcome of an investigation after 180 days using the Freedom of Information Act (FOIA). Your complaint contributes to the FDA's database, which helps them identify trends and target inspections effectively.

What Happens After You File a Complaint?

The FDA takes all reported allegations seriously, but the outcome of each complaint varies based on the specifics. Upon receiving a report, the agency evaluates the potential public health risk. If the report indicates a significant issue, it may lead to one or more regulatory actions:

Warning Letters: The FDA may issue a warning letter to the company outlining the specific labeling violations and requiring corrective action.
Inspections: The FDA can initiate an inspection of the company's facilities to assess compliance with regulations.
Recalls: For serious issues, such as undeclared allergens that pose a health risk, the FDA can trigger a product recall.

Your individual report, combined with others, helps the FDA prioritize its enforcement actions. For example, a surge of complaints about a specific misleading claim might prompt a broader investigation into a company's marketing practices.

Conclusion

Knowing how to complain about an FDA food label is a crucial part of being a vigilant consumer. By taking the time to gather information and report accurately through the proper channels, you play an active role in enforcing food safety standards. Whether you use the online portal for a quick report or contact a Consumer Complaint Coordinator for a more serious issue, your voice helps the FDA protect the public from misleading and potentially dangerous food labels. Don't hesitate to report your concerns—your action makes a difference.

Frequently Asked Questions

Violations include misleading health claims, undeclared allergens, inaccurate nutritional information, false claims of a product's origin, and incorrect ingredient listings.

Yes, you can submit an anonymous report to the FDA. However, providing your contact information may help the FDA follow up with questions and is often encouraged.

Gather the product's full name, brand, manufacturer, package codes (lot number, UPC), expiration date, the store where you bought it, and the date of purchase.

For minor issues, your quickest path is often to contact the company directly. They have a mandatory system for investigating complaints and may offer a quick resolution.

The online Safety Reporting Portal is for general non-emergency reports. A Consumer Complaint Coordinator (CCC) is a regional specialist best suited for local issues or complaints involving illness or injury.

No, the FDA assesses each complaint for potential public health risk. Not every complaint leads to regulatory action, but your report contributes to the FDA's broader oversight and enforcement.

For any adverse health event, report the issue immediately through the FDA's designated channels, especially by contacting a Consumer Complaint Coordinator. You should also seek appropriate medical attention.

While the FDA oversees food safety, reporting expired food is generally a local food safety matter. It is best to contact your local health department or report the issue to the store management.