Have you ever stood in the grocery store, glaring at the food label, and had no idea what half of it means? Many shoppers struggle to understand what is inside, as these labels can be confusing.
If you overlook these food label details, it can lead to unhealthy choices and buying products that don't meet your requirements.
The FDA regulates the labelling of over 80% of food products and oversees the food labels that are being sold in the United States. This department sets clear requirements for food, but also for drugs.
Transparency in your food label design helps build trust. Which means that brands that are clearly able to communicate what is inside not only meet legal requirements but also customers value their clarity.
What Information Do You Need to Be on Food Labels?
Here are some of the key points that must be on the food labels.
1. Product Name & Branding:
You can hardly see a product without the brand name, which means that a nameless business will not be able to make a relationship with the brand and its name.
Your product name should be clear and truthful without any creative that hides the true nature of it. Regulation often requires font size and placement so that the name is easily readable. Branding elements such as the logo and tagline must not overshadow factual information.
2. Ingredient List
An ingredient list on a healthy food packaging design identifies all the things that make up the product. The list is organized from the thing that makes up the most of the product to the thing that makes up the least.
This list includes
Food additives
Flavor
colors.
The first few ingredients are the most common as they help consumers to understand what the product is mostly made of. It also helps them know about the nutritional values of the product and how it was processed.
3. Nutritional Facts Panel
People look at the food labels as they help them know about the nutritional values to choose a healthy diet.
These labels may have information such as
Serving information
Calories
Nutrients
While many nutrient food labels in the market will be the same as the lasagna label, there are other formats that brands can use.
4.Net Weight/Volume
The net weight is one of the most essential elements for the food label that tells the net weight or volume is one of the most essential elements on any food label. It tells the customers exactly how much product they are purchasing. This measurement excludes the weight of any packaging and ensures the true quantity of food inside.
Accurate net weight/volume labelling not only helps consumers compare prices between products but also builds trust. The transparency in quantity prevents misunderstandings and ensures compliance with trade regulations.
5. Food allergen:
Food allergies and other types of food hypersensitivities affect millions of Americans and their families. The FDA requires companies to list all the ingredients on packaged foods and beverages to protect those with food allergies.
The FDA provides guidance to the food industry and other stakeholders about the best way to manage the hazards in food.
They also conduct inspections and samples to check if the major allergens are properly labelled.
Creative Ways to Make Food Labels Stand Out
Many brands find it difficult to stand out on the shelves. There are many psychological elements that can influence the buyer's decision. It all starts with label design. Here are a few design elements that could help you stand out.
1. Font Type:
Various types of fonts can evoke different types of emotions. Eye-catching decorative fonts can bring personality to brand and product names. Clean sans serif fonts remain a reliable choice for clarity for the finer details and body copy.
Your font selection should reflect both your purpose and the identity of your product. You should go with classic fonts with slim and precise lines if you are aiming for understated elegance, such as on wine or perfume labels.
Hand-lettered or script-style fonts add warmth and authenticity that instantly draws attention to items with a handmade or artisanal feel for organic foods.
2. Layout Design:
Typography is not just about the style of letters but also about how text is arranged. Research from Microsoft and MIT has shown that good layout design helps readers feel more engaged and mentally clear, while poor spacing creates visual strain.
Our eyes naturally scan a few words before pausing to process. That is why labels that break information down into easier-to-digest chunks help the users with more readability. You make it more likely that a shopper will quickly grasp your product's message by creating these natural pauses.
3. Color Psychology
Color is one of the most powerful tools in product label design because it instantly sets a mood. Red, for example, can spark appetite and energy. That is why many food products choose it as their preferred choice, and also have the ability to command attention in any setting.
But labels rarely rely on just one color. Pair complementary colors—those opposite each other on the color wheel to make certain elements pop. Balancing colors thoughtfully ensures your design feels intentional rather than overwhelming.
4. Visual Processing
It is often said that a picture is worth a thousand words, and in label design, it might be worth even more. The human brain processes images far faster than text. Pairing your label's text with strong, relevant imagery makes it more memorable and impactful.
A well-chosen image can convey your product's benefits or personality instantly, with roughly 65% of people identifying as visual learners. A symbolic graphic helps you stand out and make a lasting impression in a fraction of a second.
Why Great Food Labels Matter?
A great food label reassures shoppers about safety and quality. But this is not enough; the label must also play by the rules.
Are you ready to make labels that are as amazing as the contents of your package? Connect with Lien Design, a trusted food packaging design company, and our custom food labels make it easy to design something that checks all the boxes. We help you create a package design that creates a memorable experience. Talk to us today and let us make your brand great together.