US Food Labeling (Nutrition Facts) Complete Guide

Getting US food labeling right is essential for any Korean food or beverage brand that wants to sell in the United States. The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) sets detailed rules for what must appear on packaged food, from the Nutrition Facts panel to allergen declarations and ingredient lists. A label that looks fine in Korea can be non-compliant in the US, leading to refused shipments, retailer rejection, or costly relabeling. This guide walks through the core components of a compliant US food label so you can plan your packaging before you print.

Who Regulates Food Labels in the US

Most packaged foods are regulated by the FDA. Meat, poultry, and certain egg products fall under the US Department of Agriculture (USDA) instead, which has its own rules. This guide focuses on FDA-regulated foods, which cover the majority of Korean packaged snacks, sauces, beverages, and grocery items. If your product contains meat or poultry, you may need to follow USDA requirements as well, so confirm which agency governs your specific product.

The Five Required Elements

An FDA-regulated food label generally must include five core pieces of information. Missing any of these is a common reason imported products get held or rejected.

• Statement of identity: The common or usual name of the food, shown prominently on the front so shoppers know what it is.
• Net quantity of contents: How much food is in the package, shown in both US customary units and metric, for example ounces and grams.
• Nutrition Facts panel: The standardized table of calories and nutrients in the FDA format.
• Ingredient list: All ingredients listed in descending order by weight, using common English names.
• Name and address of the responsible party: The manufacturer, packer, or distributor, including a US address in many cases.

The Nutrition Facts Panel

The Nutrition Facts panel is the most technical part of US food labeling, and it uses a specific FDA format that differs from Korean labels. Key points to get right include the following.

• Serving size: Must be based on FDA reference amounts customarily consumed, not an amount you choose freely. Servings per container must also be shown.
• Calories: Displayed in a large, bold font under the updated format.
• Required nutrients: The panel must list total fat, saturated fat, trans fat, cholesterol, sodium, total carbohydrate, dietary fiber, total sugars, added sugars, protein, and certain vitamins and minerals such as vitamin D, calcium, iron, and potassium.
• Added sugars: The updated label requires added sugars to be shown separately, which trips up many imported products.
• Daily Values: Percent Daily Values must be calculated using current FDA reference values.

Because the calculations and format are precise, many brands use a specialized labeling service or nutrition analysis lab to generate a compliant panel. Do not simply translate a Korean nutrition table, because the required nutrients, rounding rules, and serving-size logic are different.

Allergen Labeling

US law requires clear declaration of major food allergens. The recognized major allergens include milk, eggs, fish, crustacean shellfish, tree nuts, peanuts, wheat, soybeans, and sesame. If your product contains any of these, it must be declared clearly, typically either within the ingredient list using the common name or in a separate contains statement near the ingredient list. This is a strict area of enforcement, and mistakes carry serious safety and legal consequences. Korean products with soy, wheat, sesame, or shellfish ingredients need particular care, since these are common in Korean cooking.

Language, Claims, and Common Mistakes

Labels must be in English, though additional languages may appear alongside. If a product uses a foreign language anywhere on the label, all required information must also appear in English. Beyond the basics, watch out for claims. Words like natural, healthy, low fat, or high in fiber have regulatory meanings, and using them incorrectly can make a product misbranded. Nutrient content claims and health claims are tightly defined, so avoid marketing language that implies a benefit unless it meets the specific criteria.

Frequent mistakes among Korean brands entering the US include:

• Using a Korean-style nutrition table instead of the FDA Nutrition Facts format.
• Forgetting to declare added sugars separately.
• Missing or unclear allergen statements.
• Net weight shown only in metric without US units.
• No US-based responsible party address.
• Overstated or non-compliant marketing claims.

Registration and Import Considerations

Labeling is only part of selling food in the US. Foreign food facilities generally must register with the FDA, and shipments often require prior notice before import. Depending on the product, other rules may apply, such as those for acidified or low-acid canned foods, dietary supplements, or beverages. Because these requirements stack on top of labeling, plan your compliance early and build the label into your packaging design rather than treating it as an afterthought. Getting the label professionally reviewed before printing is far cheaper than reprinting an entire production run.

Note: This article is general information, not legal or regulatory advice. FDA rules are detailed and change over time, so please consult a qualified food labeling specialist or regulatory attorney for your specific product.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I just translate my Korean food label into English?

No. A direct translation will usually not comply, because the US Nutrition Facts format, required nutrients, serving-size rules, and allergen declarations differ from Korean requirements. You should build a US-specific label based on FDA rules rather than translating an existing one.

Do I need a US address on the label?

Your label must show the name and address of the manufacturer, packer, or distributor. For imported products, this often means listing a US-based responsible party. Confirm the exact requirement for your situation, since it depends on how the product is imported and distributed.

Is sesame really a required allergen in the US now?

Yes. Sesame is recognized as a major allergen and must be declared. This is especially relevant for Korean foods that use sesame oil or seeds, so review your ingredients carefully and declare it clearly.

Compliant labeling can make or break your US launch, and the details are easy to miss from overseas. If you want help preparing your Korean food brand for the US market, including entity setup and connecting with labeling and regulatory experts, USdongsan offers a free consultation to guide your entry.