Random weight cheese package labelling
Ok this is new to us, we are beginning to package random weight 6-8oz blocks of cheese, what information needs to be on a label? we are using a bizerba label machine. Thank you
how is it being sold....by the ounce?
it is a 6 ounce random weight block of cheese, sold in or will be sold in grocery stores
so a fixed price per piece?
This part is important
yes fixed price of $1.99/lb
https://www.govinfo....2cfc5a93d9a.pdf
https://www.fda.gov/.../81606/download
You need the usual, identity, ingredients, allergens as well as the price/pound and the price of the piece which means you also need a calibrated scale to weigh and price each piece-----------unless the stores are doing that part at retail
store is doing weigh and price per each piece, what about nutritionals?
I'm guessing you've not made anything for retail sale in your company yet
Please read through the attached links I sent----------they are guidance for industry
You're going to want to send your product(s) out for nutritional analysis …..contact a certified lab and they will tell you what they need and how much $$$$ it will cost
was just curious if we need to add the nutritional panel to the package?
yes you do
That's what I meant by all the usual stuff-----nutritional panel, ingredients, dating, allergens, manufacturer
UNLESS you're not crossing state lines or exporting, then maybe your state has different requirements.
I use a label consultant, they run the analysis and set everything up for us.
this is what i am being told:
For USDA products (excluding single ingredient), nutrition facts are voluntary if you sell less than 100,000 lbs of one recipe annually. For FDA, it’s less than 100,000 units annually and less than 100 employees on staff. And you’re not making any nutrition claims.
2. How does the FDA small business exemption work,
Small businesses are defined in one of two ways: a) a retailer with annual gross sales to consumers of less than $500,000 (determined by the most recent two-year average) or annual gross sales of only food to consumers of less than $50,000 (such as a gift shop which sells a line of fruit preserves);
or b) food manufacturers, packers, or distributors with fewer than 100 employees (based on the average full time equivalents) and product sales of less than 100,000 units for each product. If a business does not meet the first definition, then it must comply with the second one for its products to be exempt from nutrition labeling (as long as no nutrient content claims or health claims are made). A “product” is defined as a food with the same brand name and statement of identity, and a “unit” is the package or form in which the product is offered for sale. The number of employees and volume of sales are based on the previous 12 months. Once a product or business exceeds either criteria, the exemption for the product(s) expires 18 months from that date. Reasonable estimates of projected sales for new products may be made. Firms utilizing the small business exemption must file an annual notice with FDA of such exemption (see 21 CFR 101.9 (j)(18))
You are being given correct information----but ask yourself............because i know my answer.............who's cheese would you buy in a grocery store? The one who's label is similar to everyone else's or the one that is missing something..............