International Food Labeling Standards and Management
Food labels refer to all tags, hangtags, text, graphics, symbols, and other descriptive materials on or attached to food packaging containers. Food labels are an essential part of food packaging design and must be strictly regulated by national standards and regulations.
Labels are the identification of goods, serving the function of guiding and directing consumption. Implementing strict management through food labeling regulations helps prevent the circulation of counterfeit and inferior goods, prevent misleading and deceiving consumers, ensure food hygiene and safety, and protect consumers’ interests.
Currently, food labels have become a battlefield for international politics, culture, and consumer interests, and food labeling standards, regulations, and management measures have received widespread attention and importance from the international community.
1. Codex Alimentarius Commission (CAC)
The Codex Alimentarius Commission has issued two food labeling standards:
a) CODEX STAN.1—1991 General Standard for the Labeling of Prepackaged Foods;
b) CODEX STAN107—1985 General Standard for the Labeling of Food Additives When Sold as Such.
2. United States
The United States attaches great importance to food labeling legislation and management. In December 1992, it formally announced the mandatory implementation of a new labeling law.
The new labeling law requires the label to indicate the quality, total calories, calories from fat, total fat, saturated fat, cholesterol, sugar, total carbohydrates, dietary fiber, protein, cellulose, vitamin C, calcium, and iron content of the packaged food. It stipulates that from May 8, 1994, all packaged foods in the United States, including all imported foods, must use the new labels.
In January 1993, the U.S. FDA issued new labeling standards for bottled drinking water, strictly defining the terminology for various types of bottled drinking water.
This new standard came into effect on July 5 of the same year, and distributors were required to fully comply with the new standard by January 5, 1994.
The purpose is to ensure the authenticity of food labels and prevent manufacturers from misleading and harming consumers with false labels.
In October 1994, the United States formally passed legislation and promulgated the “Nutrition Labeling and Education Act for Dietary Supplements.”
3. Japan
In July 1991, the Japanese Ministry of Health and Welfare announced: The revised special nutrition food (including fortified foods and foods for special dietary uses) certification mark “JHFA—(Foundation) Japan Health and Nutrition Food Association Certified” is the certification mark for health foods; “JSO—(Foundation) Japan Health and Nutrition Food Association Certified” is the certification mark for food nutrition component standards; “Ministry of Health and Welfare Approved—Special Nutrition Food” is the certification mark for foods for specified health uses.
