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, food name, ingredient list, net content, producer information, production date and shelf life, storage conditions, food production license number, product standard code, etc. must be indicated. Any missing information may lead to product recall. GB 28050-2011 further requires nutritional labeling. Food label content must be consistent with the actual product, and false advertising is not allowed.

Safety requirements for food contact materials

For labels in direct contact with food, materials and adhesives must comply with GB 4806 series standards. GB 4806.8-2022 specifies limits for lead, arsenic, optical brighteners, etc. GB 4806.7-2023 applies to plastic materials. Food-grade inks meeting GB 9685-2016 standard are recommended for printing inks. UV-curable inks must be fully cured, and residual monomers must not exceed limits.

Design considerations for food labels

The product name should be in the most prominent position. The ingredient list should be arranged in descending order by content. The production date and shelf life must be marked in a prominent position, with font height not less than 1.8mm. QR codes are increasingly common on food labels, recommended size not less than 15×15mm, with sufficient contrast with the background color. Avoid overly dark background colors that affect text readability.

Printing process considerations

For large batches of regular food labels, flexographic printing with water-based inks offers good cost-performance. For small batches of new products or promotional labels, digital printing is more flexible with zero plate-making fees. Lamination should be used with caution in food labels; biodegradable films or water-based coatings are recommended as alternatives. Hot stamping and spot UV can enhance shelf appeal, but must ensure no harmful substances are introduced.

Common violations and avoidance suggestions

Common violations include: ingredient list not arranged in descending order, missing allergen information, inaccurate nutrition facts table, blurred production date. It is recommended to have the label content reviewed by a third party before mass printing. When changing label content, old labels must not continue to be used; a stock buffer period should be reserved.