What are the requirements for food industry labels? Design and printing considerations

Regulatory Red Lines for Food Labels

Food labels are strictly controlled by mandatory regulations. According to GB 7718-2011, it is required to indicate the food name, ingredient list, net content, producer information, production date and shelf life, storage conditions, food production license number, product standard code, etc. Any omission may lead to product removal from shelves. GB 28050-2011 further requires nutrition labeling. The content of the food label must be consistent with the actual product, and false claims are prohibited.

Safety Requirements for Food Contact Materials

For labels that directly contact food, the face material and adhesive must comply with the GB 4806 series of standards. GB 4806.8-2022 specifies limits for lead, arsenic, fluorescent whitening agents, etc. GB 4806.7-2023 applies to plastic face materials. It is recommended to use food-grade inks that comply with GB 9685-2016 for printing inks. UV-curable inks must be fully cured, and residual monomers must not exceed limits.

Design Points for Food Labels

The product name should be placed in the most prominent position. The ingredient list should be arranged in descending order of content. The production date and shelf life must be marked in a conspicuous location, with a font height no less than 1.8 mm. QR codes are increasingly common on food labels; a size no less than 15×15 mm is recommended, with sufficient contrast against the background color. Avoid overly dark background colors that affect text readability.

Printing Process Considerations

For large volumes of conventional food labels, flexographic printing with water-based ink offers good cost performance. For small batches of new products or promotional labels, digital printing is more flexible with zero plate fees. Lamination on food labels should be used with caution; it is recommended to use biodegradable film materials or water-based coatings as alternatives. Hot stamping and spot UV can enhance shelf appeal, but care must be taken to avoid introducing harmful substances.

Common Violations and Avoidance Tips

Common violations include: ingredient list not arranged in descending order, allergen information not indicated, inaccurate nutrition facts table, unclear production date. It is recommended to submit label content for third-party review before batch printing. When changing label content, old labels must not continue to be used; a buffer period for inventory should be reserved.