In the dynamic and highly regulated food and beverage (FnB) industry, maintaining regulatory compliance is not just a legal obligation but a cornerstone for ensuring consumer safety and trust. 

As companies navigate through a labyrinth of stringent regulations, which are often exhaustive and continuously evolving, the challenge intensifies. Balancing adherence to these regulations with the ambition to embrace digital transformation and accelerate market presence is a complex task.

This is where innovative solutions like Artwork Flow come into play, offering smart compliance features tailored to the unique needs of FnB brands.

In this article, we delve into the realm of regulatory compliance in the FnB sector, exploring the various compliance rules that brands must adhere to. We will also discuss how Artwork Flow's smart compliance feature streamlines this process, ensuring that products not only meet regulatory standards but also reach the market faster and more efficiently. 

From FDA and FSSAI smart compliance checklists to label checklists and proofing tools, we will cover the essential elements that help FnB brands navigate the complex world of regulatory compliance with confidence and agility.

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Overview of FDA’s labeling requirements

The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) sets forth specific standards for labeling food items and beverages to ensure that consumers receive accurate and useful information about the products they consume. 

Also read: Understanding the FDA Food Labeling Guide: A Comprehensive Overview

These standards are designed to promote public health and prevent misleading or deceptive labeling practices. Here's an overview of key FDA standards for labeling food items and beverages:

Principal display panel and Information panel 

• Principal display panel: This is the part of the label that is most likely to be seen by the consumer at the time of purchase. It must include the name of the food and the net quantity of contents.
• Information panel: Generally located to the right of the PDP, it must include the nutrition facts, ingredient list, allergen declaration, and the name and address of the manufacturer, packer, or distributor.

Nutrition Labeling

• Nutrition facts panel: Required on most packaged foods and beverages, it provides information such as serving size, calories, total fat, sodium, total carbohydrates, dietary fiber, sugars, protein, and certain vitamins and minerals.
• Serving size: This must be based on the amounts of foods and beverages that people are actually eating, not what they should be eating.

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Ingredient list

• Ingredients must be listed in descending order of predominance by weight. This means that the ingredient that weighs the most is listed first, and the ingredient that weighs the least is listed last.
• Certain food colorings, flavorings, and preservatives must be listed specifically.

Allergen labeling

The Food Allergen Labeling and Consumer Protection Act (FALCPA) requires that the label declare the presence of major food allergens: milk, eggs, fish, crustacean shellfish, tree nuts, peanuts, wheat, and soybeans.

Also read: Everything You Need to Know About Food Allergen Labeling In 2024

Health claims

• Health claims: Must be approved by the FDA and are based on significant scientific agreement. These claims link a food substance with a reduced risk of a disease or health-related condition.
• Nutrient content claims: Describe the level of a nutrient in the product, using terms like "free," "high," and "low."
• Structure/Function claims: Describe the role of a nutrient or dietary ingredient intended to affect the normal structure or function of the human body, for example, "calcium builds strong bones."

Net Quantity of contents

This must be expressed in both metric (grams, milliliters, liters) and U.S. customary (ounces, pounds) units and should be displayed in a clear and conspicuous manner on the PDP.

Country of origin labeling

Required for certain foods, like fresh and frozen fruits and vegetables and some nuts, providing information about where the food originated.

Label format

The FDA specifies certain format requirements, such as the type size for the nutrition label, the prominence of the ingredient list, and the placement of required label statements.

It's important for manufacturers and distributors in the food and beverage industry to stay updated with these FDA labeling requirements, as they are subject to change and updates based on new nutritional science and dietary recommendations. 

Read more: Your Go-to Handbook of FDA’s Labeling Requirements For Dietary Supplements

FSSAI labeling requirements

The Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI) sets comprehensive guidelines for food labeling in India, ensuring that consumers receive accurate information about the food products they purchase. Key aspects of FSSAI food labeling standards include:

• Product Name and branding: The name of the food product should be clear and not misleading about the nature of the food.
• List of ingredients: Ingredients must be listed in descending order of their composition by weight or volume.
• Nutritional information: The label must display nutritional information per 100 grams or 100 milliliters or per serving, including energy value, amounts of protein, carbohydrates (specifying sugar content), fat, vitamins, and minerals.
• Vegetarian/Non-vegetarian declaration: Food packages must display a symbol of a green dot for vegetarian food and a brown or red dot for non-vegetarian food.
• Declaration regarding food additives: Any added colors, preservatives, and flavors must be declared on the label.
• Net quantity: The net quantity of the food product in terms of weight, volume, or number must be declared.
• Batch or code number/lot number: This helps in identifying the manufacturing and packaging lot.
• Date marking: The label must include the date of manufacture or packaging, the best-before date, and the use-by date.
• Country of origin: For imported food, the country of origin must be declared.
• FSSAI Logo and License Number: The FSSAI logo and the license number of the manufacturer/packer must be displayed on the label.
• Instructions for Use: Necessary instructions for use, including preparation, cooking, and storage, should be provided.

Consequences of non-compliance in label management

Here are some consequences brands face due to non-compliance in label management:  

• Expensive packaging re-prints: Labels printed with errors or inconsistencies lead to the need for re-printing, which is both costly and time-consuming.
• Costly product recalls: Non-compliance with labeling regulations can result in product recalls, which are expensive and can disrupt business operations.
• Damage to brand image: Incorrect labeling or non-compliance can harm a brand's image. Proper labeling and compliance are crucial for portraying a brand as responsible and trustworthy.
• Regulatory penalties: Non-compliance can attract fines and legal penalties from regulatory bodies, adding financial burdens to the company.
• Supply chain disruptions: Labeling errors can cause disruptions in the supply chain, leading to delays in product availability and distribution.

How Artwork Flow helps maintain label compliance

Artwork Flow offers a comprehensive solution for label management, ensuring compliance and efficiency in several ways:

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• Streamlined label management: Artwork Flow automates complex workflows end-to-end, allowing for the creation of custom workflows and templates for intricate steps in label management.

• Smart compliance checklists: The platform includes compliance checklists to ensure adherence to regulatory bodies like the FDA. This feature helps in quickly checking if packaging labels comply with specific guidelines.

         Also read: The Essential Guide to AI-powered Label Compliance

• Automated FDA compliance: Artwork Flow's built-in OCR model automates the process of ensuring compliance with FDA guidelines, significantly reducing the time and effort required for manual checks.

• Brand score checking: The platform offers a compliance score feature that ensures creatives meet brand guidelines, safeguarding brand integrity.

• Online proofing tools: Artwork Flow provides intuitive online proofing tools that allow for precise feedback on visuals, helping to approve product labels faster and catch errors effectively.

• AI-Driven suggestions: The platform offers AI suggestions for a better review experience, making proofing seamless and more accurate.

• Centralized storage and management: With AI-driven asset libraries, Artwork Flow enables easy storage, management, and retrieval of creative assets, ensuring that the right version of a label is always used.

• Enhanced collaboration: The platform facilitates better collaboration by allowing teams to share assets, annotate, and access integrations for seamless project management.

Wrapping up

In the fast-paced and highly regulated food and beverage industry, compliance with labeling standards is not just a legal requirement but a critical factor in ensuring consumer safety and trust. The complexity of adhering to these ever-evolving standards, such as those set by the FDA and FSSAI, poses significant challenges for brands. 

With multiple challenges you may encounter in regulatory affairs, Artwork Flow’s ComplyAI can be effectively utilized to go to market faster and with 100% compliant labels.

In your F&B labeling, from checking nutrient panels to scanning barcodes, this smart compliance feature makes food label checks easy with customizable rulebooks and automated checks that allow you to find any label error in seconds. To execute the changes faster, you can annotate directly on the artwork and tag relevant stakeholders as well.

These advancements not only ensure that products meet stringent regulatory standards but also facilitate quicker market entry, thereby enhancing brand reputation and operational efficiency. Embracing such digital transformations in label management is essential for any F&B brand looking to thrive in today's competitive landscape. Book a demo with us to learn more. 

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