Review food labels for the US market

ArcheSync helps teams review food-label elements such as product identity, ingredients, allergens, Nutrition Facts, net quantity, and business information. Findings link to applicable provisions within the supported review scope. A label image alone cannot establish the accuracy of the formulation, nutrient values, or manufacturing practices.

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Demonstration render of a fictional instant noodle cup, Spicy Miso Ramen. — Demonstration artwork. Fictional brand, not a customer label.

What a food review covers.

Each row is a supported check and the provision it cites. Every finding in your report names its own clause.

Statement of identity
The common or usual name of the food on the principal display panel.
21 CFR 101.3
Net quantity of contents
Units, both US customary and metric, and placement in the bottom 30% of the principal display panel.
21 CFR 101.7; 15 U.S.C. 1453(a)(2)
Nutrition Facts
Required nutrients, serving size, format and the %DV footnote.
21 CFR 101.9
Ingredient list
Ingredients in descending order of predominance by weight, with sub-ingredients.
21 CFR 101.4(a)(1)
Major food allergens
A "Contains" statement or parenthetical source names, including the species for fish, shellfish and tree nuts.
FD&C Act §403(w)(1), (2)
Name and place of business
Manufacturer, packer or distributor, with a qualifying phrase such as "Distributed by".
21 CFR 101.5
Label panels and language
Principal display panel and information panel placement; required statements in English.
21 CFR 101.2; 101.15(c)
Nutrient content claims
Terms such as "low", "high" or "free" checked against the claim definitions.
21 CFR 101.13(b)

An annotated example.

The demonstration noodle cup lists dried bonito extract in its soup base, but the "Contains" statement leaves out fish.

Flat label artwork for a fictional instant noodle cup, Spicy Miso Ramen, with Nutrition Facts, ingredients and a Contains statement. — Demonstration artwork. Fictional brand, not a customer label.

Evidence: The soup base lists DRIED BONITO EXTRACT. The statement after the ingredients reads "CONTAINS: WHEAT, SOY, MILK, EGG."
Why: Bonito is a fish. Once a label uses a "Contains" statement, FDA guidance says it should name the food sources of all major food allergens in the product (FDA allergen Q&A, Edition 5, D.6, citing FD&C Act §403(w)(1)).
Next step: Name the fish and its species: "Contains: Wheat, Soy, Milk, Egg, Fish (bonito)." FD&C Act §403(w)(2) requires the species for fish.

noodle_cup_label.pdf

Food, general food. Illustrative sample

Uploaded5 elements extractedFindings with clauses

No issueNutrition Facts for a single-serving container21 CFR 101.9
No issueStatement of identity on the principal display panel21 CFR 101.3(a)
No issueNet weight in ounces with grams, bottom 30% of the panel21 CFR 101.7(b)(1), (f); 15 U.S.C. 1453(a)(2)
No issueIngredients in descending order by weight21 CFR 101.4(a)(1)
Flag"Contains" statement omits Fish (bonito), used in the soup baseFD&C Act §403(w)(1); FDA allergen Q&A D.6

5 elements checked: 1 flagged, 4 with no issue foundIn the sample report

What the artwork can and cannot show.

Read from the label artwork

Whether each required element is present and where it sits on the panels.
How the allergen declaration lines up with the ingredient list.
Units and wording of the net quantity statement.
The structure and footnotes of the Nutrition Facts panel.

Needs more than the artwork

Whether nutrient values match the formulation or lab results.
Type sizes and placement that depend on real package dimensions.
Manufacturing practices, facility registration and import requirements.
Products under USDA jurisdiction, alcoholic beverages and infant formula.

Questions

Which food-label elements are checked?

The statement of identity, net quantity of contents, Nutrition Facts, the ingredient list, major food allergen declarations, the name and place of business, and nutrient content claims, each against the provision cited in the finding. The methodology page lists the full rule set.

Can the software verify my nutrient values?

No. ArcheSync reviews how the Nutrition Facts panel is presented on the label. Whether the values match your formulation or lab results needs your nutrition data, not the artwork.

Which food categories need separate review?

Meat and poultry products regulated by USDA, alcoholic beverages, and infant formula follow other or additional rules. ArcheSync can point out that a separate regime may apply, but it does not review those labels in full.

Review your label before your next artwork revision.

Upload a PDF or image. Findings come back with the citation attached.

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