The packaging and labeling of food is subject to regulation in most regions/jurisdictions, both to prevent false advertising and to promote food safety.
Regulations by type
Multi-faceted
- Codex Alimentarius (international voluntary standard)
Ingredients and basic nutrition
- Calorie count laws (restaurants)
- Ingredients list
- Nutrition facts label
- [Name & address of manufacturer]
- [Date:]
Nutritional rating systems
Veracity
Food-handling materials
The wine glass and fork food safe symbol
Specific foods
Vegan
- "Certified Vegan" by Vegan Awareness Foundation trademark for vegan companies and organizations
- "PETA-Approved Vegan" by PETA for vegan products (clothing and accessory companies), United States, available worldwide
- "Sunflower symbol" by the Vegan Society, United Kingdom trademark for vegan food, available worldwide
- "V-Label" by the European Vegetarian Union, Swiss trademark for vegan items (specified by product), available worldwide
- "Biocyclic Vegan" by BNS Biocyclic Network Services Ltd., Cyprus, for vegan organic production (e.g. vegetable production without manure)
Vegetarian
- "The green dot symbol" (Vegetarian mark), Indian requirement for food, available worldwide
- "V-Label" by the European Vegetarian Union, Swiss trademark for vegan and vegetarian items (specified by product), available worldwide
- "Vegetarian Society Approved" by the Vegetarian Society, United Kingdom, available worldwide
Farming practices
Religious certifications
- Halal (Islamic dietary laws)
- Kashrut (Kosher foods in Jewish law)
Controversies
Named geographic origin
- Appellation
- Geographical indication
- Country of origin
- Protected Geographical Status (European Union)
- Appellation d'origine contrôlée (France)
- Denominazione di Origine Controllata (Italy)
Genetic and commercial origin
Preparation at site of consumption
- Shake well
Pricing
- Pay what you want (PWYW)
- Pay what you can (PWYC)
- Dine and dash
- Maximum retail price (MRP)
Safety information
- Alcohol abuse
- Danger zone (food safety)
- Five-second rule
- Food allergy
- Food intolerance
- Food safety
- Food sampling
- Food spoilage
- International Food Safety Network
- ISO 22000
- Refrigerate after opening
- Shelf life dates ("Use by" and "Best before")
- Warning label
- Food Allergen Declaration FALCPA
By region
Asia
India
Thailand
- Phuket: "Yellow flag" for vegetarian food during ‘ngan kin jeh’ vegetarian festival
North America
Canada
Mexico
United States
- Acceptable Market Name
- Adulteration of Coffee Act 1718
- American Agricultural Law Association
- Dietary exposure assessments in the United States
- Dietary Supplement Health and Education Act of 1994
- Early history of food regulation in the United States
- Fair Packaging and Labeling Act (US)
- FDA Food Safety Modernization Act
- Federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act
- Federal Meat Inspection Act
- Food and Drug Administration Amendments Act of 2007
- Food and Drug Administration Modernization Act of 1997
- Food libel laws
- Food Quality Protection Act
- Generally recognized as safe
- Global Food Security Act of 2009
- Kevin's Law
- Mandatory country-of-origin labeling of food sold in the United States
- Personal Responsibility in Food Consumption Act
- Public Law 114-214, regulating GMO food labeling
- Pure Food and Drug Act
- Regulation of food and dietary supplements by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration
- Standards of identity for food
- Title 21 of the Code of Federal Regulations
- United States v. Correll
- United States v. Ninety-Five Barrels Alleged Apple Cider Vinegar
Europe
European Union
- Regulation (EC) No. 834/2007 of 28 June 2007 on organic production and labelling of organic products
- Regulation (EU) No 1169/2011
- Regulation 1151/2012 on quality schemes for agricultural products and foodstuffs: defines "labelling" as "any words, particulars, trade marks, brand name, pictorial matter or symbol relating to a foodstuff and placed on any packaging, document, notice, label, ring or collar accompanying or referring to such foodstuff".
United Kingdom
- Assize of Bread and Ale
- McLibel case
- United Kingdom food labeling regulations
- The Weights and Measures (Packaged Goods) Regulations 2006 [1]
