Is Nutritional Information Mandatory on Food Labels?

January 13, 2026 •

4 min read

According to the Food and Drug Administration (FDA), most packaged foods sold in the United States must carry a Nutrition Facts panel. But is nutritional information mandatory on food labels in every case? The answer depends on several factors, including the type of food, where it's sold, and whether any specific claims are made about it.

Quick Summary

The requirement for nutrition information on food labels varies by country and food type. For most pre-packaged foods, it is mandatory, though specific exemptions exist for raw produce, small packages, and other items. Special labeling is often triggered by nutrition or health claims.

Key Points

Mandatory for Packaged Foods: In the US and EU, most pre-packaged foods must display nutritional information on their labels, a regulation enforced by entities like the FDA and EU commission.
Specific Exemptions Exist: Certain items, such as raw produce, foods in very small packages, and those prepared on-site in a store or restaurant, are often exempt from mandatory labeling.
Claims Trigger Labeling: Making a nutritional or health claim (e.g., 'low fat,' 'high fiber') on a product automatically triggers the requirement for a full nutritional label.
Regulations Vary by Region: The specific nutrients listed, the units of measurement (e.g., per serving vs. per 100g), and the formatting requirements differ between regions like the US and EU.
Online Retail Transparency Issues: The provision of mandatory nutrition and allergen information is less consistent in the online retail space, creating potential challenges for consumer health and safety.
The Bottom Line: While the baseline rule is that nutritional information is mandatory for most packaged foods, exemptions and specific conditions apply, with the universal goal being consumer education and safety.

Mandatory Nutrition Labeling: A Global Perspective

For many consumers, the Nutrition Facts panel is a familiar and trusted resource for making informed food choices. But the rules governing this practice are complex and differ significantly around the world. What is considered standard and required in one country might be voluntary or absent in another. The trend across developed nations, however, is toward increased transparency and stricter enforcement of mandatory labeling for pre-packaged goods.

The Regulations in the United States

In the United States, the Nutrition Labeling and Education Act (NLEA) of 1990, enforced by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA), governs the labeling of most food products. This legislation mandates that most packaged foods carry a Nutrition Facts panel. This panel must list the serving size, calories, and specific nutrients like total fat, saturated fat, trans fat, cholesterol, sodium, total carbohydrates, dietary fiber, sugars, and protein. The panel also provides information on vitamins and minerals.

Key aspects of U.S. regulations:

The panel must be formatted in a clear, standardized way.
Serving sizes are based on what people typically consume, not what they should consume.
Updates, like the 2016 changes to highlight calories and serving size more prominently, are periodically introduced to reflect modern dietary needs and make information easier to understand.

European Union Directives

The European Union operates under Regulation (EU) No 1169/2011, which made nutrition labeling mandatory for most pre-packed foods as of December 2016.

Mandatory information on EU labels includes:

Energy value (in both kJ and kcal)
Amounts of fat, saturates, carbohydrates, sugars, protein, and salt

This information is typically displayed in a table on the back of the packaging and must be expressed per 100g or 100ml. Unlike the US, the EU regulation emphasizes information for 100g/ml, though 'per portion' details can be added voluntarily.

Exceptions to Mandatory Nutritional Information

While mandatory labeling is the standard for most pre-packaged items, several important exceptions exist across different jurisdictions. These exemptions are often based on the assumption that certain products do not contribute significantly to a person's nutrient intake or that labeling is impractical.

Common exemptions include:

Raw, single-ingredient foods: Fresh produce like fruits and vegetables, and raw, single-ingredient fish are often exempt, as their nutritional value is generally understood. However, point-of-sale information is sometimes provided.
Small packages: Products sold in very small packages with limited label space, such as chewing gum or small candy, can be exempt.
Food prepared on-site: Food served in restaurants or prepared in a store, such as a bakery or deli, is typically not required to have a full nutrition panel on each item.
Small businesses: In some regions, small food producers or retailers may be exempt from the full labeling requirements to reduce their regulatory burden.

The Rule of "Claims"

One of the most significant triggers for mandatory nutritional information is making a specific claim about a product. If a food manufacturer makes a nutritional or health claim on the packaging, they must provide the full Nutrition Facts panel, even if they would otherwise be exempt. This prevents misleading advertising.

For example:

A raw vegetable could be sold without a label, but if the packaging says "High in Vitamin C," a full nutrition panel becomes mandatory.
A bottle of water is generally exempt, but if it claims to be "enhanced with minerals," it must provide the nutritional data to back up that claim.

Online vs. In-Store Labeling

As online grocery shopping becomes more common, questions about labeling requirements in the digital space have emerged. Studies have shown that nutritional information is often inconsistent or missing from online food retail sites, raising concerns for consumer safety and transparency. Regulations are still catching up to the online marketplace, but the fundamental principle of providing accurate and accessible information remains. The FDA and other regulatory bodies may use their authority to compel online retailers to present the same information as is required in brick-and-mortar stores.

Comparison: US vs. EU Food Labeling


Feature	United States (FDA)	European Union (EU)
Regulation	Nutrition Labeling and Education Act (NLEA)	Regulation (EU) No 1169/2011
Mandatory for	Most packaged foods	Most pre-packed foods
Panel Location	Primarily on the back or side of packaging	Primarily on the back or side of packaging
Key Nutrients	Calories, Fat (Sat/Trans), Cholesterol, Sodium, Carbs (Fiber/Sugars), Protein	Energy (kJ/kcal), Fat (Saturates), Carbohydrates (Sugars), Protein, Salt
Serving Size	Based on typical consumption patterns	Voluntary; must be clearly stated if used
Display Format	Standardized Nutrition Facts panel format	Tabular format, readable font size
Fresh Foods	Voluntary labeling for raw produce and fish	Allergens mandatory; nutrition voluntary

Frequently Asked Questions

In the US, the FDA requires food labels to list calories, total fat, saturated fat, trans fat, cholesterol, sodium, total carbohydrates, dietary fiber, total sugars, added sugars, protein, Vitamin D, potassium, calcium, and iron.

Depending on the country, small businesses and independent producers may be exempt from certain mandatory labeling requirements, particularly for products that do not make any health or nutrient claims. Regulations vary by region, so checking local laws is crucial.

No, nutrition labeling is voluntary for raw, single-ingredient produce and fish in the US. However, many larger supermarkets provide this information at the point of sale.

In most regulated markets, if a company makes a health or nutrient claim (e.g., 'low fat'), it becomes legally required to provide a full and accurate nutrition label to support that claim. Failure to do so is considered misleading and can result in regulatory action.

For foods prepared and served in restaurants, mandatory nutritional labeling is generally not required for each item, though some regulations exist for chain restaurants and certain health claims. Many chains voluntarily provide this information.

Back-of-pack nutritional information is generally mandatory for pre-packaged foods in many regions, but simplified front-of-pack labeling schemes are often voluntary. However, some regulatory bodies are considering or implementing mandatory front-of-pack labeling to help consumers make quicker, more informed choices.

Regulators and researchers are increasingly focusing on the consistent disclosure of required nutritional and allergen information for online food sales, where data is often missing or inconsistent. It is likely that regulations will be strengthened to ensure online consumers have the same access to information as in-store shoppers.