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One food label does not automatically comply with the USA, the European Union and Saudi Arabia. Each market has specific requirements for ingredients, allergens, nutrition information, language, dates and importer details.
Food labeling is a key compliance requirement for exporters of packaged food products. A label accepted in one market may require significant changes before the same product can be sold in another country.
The United States, the European Union and Saudi Arabia are important export markets, but they do not follow identical labeling rules. Requirements may differ in areas such as the product name, ingredient list, allergen declaration, nutrition information, net quantity, country of origin, date marking, storage instructions and local language.
This guide explains the main food labeling requirements for exporters shipping prepackaged food products to the USA, the EU and Saudi Arabia. It is particularly useful for food manufacturers and exporters preparing labels for tomato paste, canned foods, sauces and other packaged food products
In the United States, packaged food products generally need a label that identifies the product, states the net quantity, lists the ingredients and provides the name and address of the responsible business.
Most packaged foods also require a Nutrition Facts label, although certain products and businesses may qualify for exemptions. The label commonly includes information such as serving size, calories, nutrients and added sugars.
Ingredients are generally listed in descending order by weight, beginning with the ingredient used in the greatest amount. Major food allergens must also be declared when they are present in the product.
Exporters should review the product-specific requirements before approving the final packaging artwork. Requirements may differ depending on the type of food, the package format, applicable exemptions and any nutrition or health claims used on the label.
For the official requirements, see the FDA food labeling and nutrition requirements.
For information about serving size, calories, nutrients and added sugars, see the FDA’s official guide to The Nutrition Facts Label.
Here’s a sample label for a snack food, such as a granola bar, based on FDA guidelines:
Note: % Daily Value (DV) is based on a 2,000-calorie diet. Your daily values may be higher or lower depending on your calorie needs.
Allergen labeling is crucial for public health, especially for individuals with food allergies. Regulations vary across countries, but most require clear identification of major allergens, often listed separately or emphasized in the ingredients list.
The “big 8” allergens, which are mandatory for labeling in many regions, include:
Some countries, like the EU, also require labeling for additional allergens, such as celery, mustard, sesame seeds, and sulfites.
Imagine a label for chocolate chip cookies that contain allergens like wheat, milk, eggs, and soy. Here’s how it could appear:
Ingredients: Enriched Wheat Flour (Wheat Flour, Niacin, Iron, Thiamine Mononitrate, Riboflavin, Folic Acid), Sugar, Chocolate Chips (Sugar, Chocolate, Cocoa Butter, Soy Lecithin, Vanilla Extract), Butter (Cream [Milk], Salt), Eggs, Baking Soda, Salt, Natural Flavor.
Contains: Wheat, Milk, Eggs, Soy.
In the EU, allergens within the ingredient list are often bolded, like this:
Ingredients: Enriched Wheat Flour (Wheat Flour, Niacin, Iron, Thiamine Mononitrate, Riboflavin, Folic Acid), Sugar, Chocolate Chips (Sugar, Chocolate, Cocoa Butter, Soy Lecithin, Vanilla Extract), Butter (Milk), Eggs, Baking Soda, Salt, Natural Flavor.
Prepacked food products placed on the EU market must provide mandatory food information in a clear, visible and easily understandable form.
The main legal framework is Regulation (EU) No 1169/2011 on the provision of food information to consumers.
Depending on the product, mandatory information may include:
The label language must be easily understood by consumers in the EU Member State where the product is marketed. Therefore, exporters should not assume that an English-only label will be suitable for every EU country.
The official EU regulation is available through EUR-Lex. Additional guidance is available in the EU’s explanation of food labelling rules
Food products imported into Saudi Arabia must comply with the requirements of the Saudi Food and Drug Authority, known as the SFDA, as well as applicable Gulf standards.
According to the SFDA, the main references include:
Arabic must appear on the label. If another language is used, the information should be identical to the Arabic information and presented alongside it.
Exporters should pay particular attention to the following information:
Before printing the packaging, exporters should have the final label reviewed by the importer and, where necessary, a local regulatory specialist. Product registration requirements and applicable standards may vary according to the product category and composition.
For the official requirements, see the SFDA page on food labeling requirements. Additional information is available from the official Saudi Food and Drug Authority.
| Label information | United States | European Union | Saudi Arabia |
|---|---|---|---|
| Product name | Generally required | Required | Required |
| Ingredient list | Generally required | Required | Required |
| Allergen declaration | Required where applicable | Required where applicable | Required where applicable |
| Nutrition information | Nutrition Facts generally required, subject to exemptions | Nutrition declaration generally required, subject to exemptions | Must follow applicable SFDA and GSO requirements |
| Net quantity | Required | Required | Required |
| Country of origin | Depends on the product and applicable origin rules | Required in specific cases | Must follow applicable Saudi and GSO requirements |
| Main label language | English | Language understood in the destination Member State | Arabic |
| Date marking | Depends on the product and applicable rules | Best-before or use-by date, as applicable | Production and expiry dates according to applicable requirements |
| Responsible business information | Manufacturer, packer or distributor information may be required | Responsible food business operator information | Importer or responsible local party information |
Before approving the final label artwork, exporters should check the following:
Tomato paste exporters should review more than the general food labeling requirements. The product composition, soluble solids, salt content, additives, package size, packaging format, nutrition values and claims printed on the package may affect the final labeling obligations.
Before producing the packaging, exporters should prepare the following information:
For example, a tomato paste label using claims such as “no added sugar,” “100% natural” or “preservative-free” may require additional verification before the product is marketed in the destination country.
The importer should confirm that the label complies with food registration, customs clearance and retail requirements before the product is manufactured or shipped.
The USA, the EU and Saudi Arabia have different food labeling requirements, so exporters should not use one identical label for all three markets.
The safest approach is to prepare a market-specific label covering the ingredients, allergens, nutrition information, language, dates, country of origin and importer details. Always verify the final artwork with the official authority and the importer before printing or shipping the product.
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