FDA Labeling Requirements for Meal Prep Businesses
Understand FDA nutrition labeling requirements for meal prep businesses. Plain-language guide to nutrition facts, allergens, and serving sizes.
IMPORTANT: This is educational content only.
Always consult your local health department or food safety professional for compliance verification.
Do You Need a Nutrition Label?
YES if:
- • Selling packaged prepared meals with nutrition or health claims
- • Shipping across state lines
- • Making claims like "high protein" or "low carb"
- • Selling in retail stores
MAYBE if:
- • Selling locally (check state cottage food laws)
- • Prepared on-site for immediate consumption
- • Small volume operations (check state thresholds)
NO if:
- • Dine-in restaurant only (no packaged foods)
- • No nutrition or health claims made
- • Exempt under cottage food laws
Not sure? Check your state's requirements. Federal FDA regulations are baseline, but states may have additional rules.
What's Required on the Nutrition Facts Panel
Required Nutrients (in order):
- Calories
- Total Fat (Saturated Fat, Trans Fat)
- Cholesterol
- Sodium
- Total Carbohydrate (Dietary Fiber, Total Sugars, Added Sugars)
- Protein
- Vitamin D, Calcium, Iron, Potassium
- % Daily Value for each applicable nutrient
The FDA updated the format in 2020. Make sure you're using the new design with larger font for calories and updated Daily Value percentages.
Serving Size Rules
Serving sizes must be based on Reference Amounts Customarily Consumed (RACC), not arbitrary amounts.
Example: Meal-Type Dishes
If your meal prep container is 12 oz but the RACC for "meal type dishes" is 8 oz, you may need to label it as 1.5 servings.
Servings per container: 1.5
Important: Don't manipulate serving sizes to make nutrition look better. The FDA requires realistic portions.
Allergen Disclosure Requirements
Top 9 major allergens (milk, eggs, fish, shellfish, tree nuts, peanuts, wheat, soybeans, sesame) must be disclosed.
Required Format:
Cross-Contamination (Optional but Recommended):
FDA Rounding Rules
The FDA has specific rounding thresholds to simplify labels and reduce clutter.
Calories
Round to nearest 5 if <50 cal, nearest 10 if ≥50 cal
Example: 49 cal → 50 cal, 148 cal → 150 cal
Fat, Carbs, Protein
<1g → Round to nearest 0.5g | ≥1g → Round to nearest 1g
Example: 4.8g protein → 5g, 0.3g fat → 0g (if <0.5g)
% Daily Value
Always round to whole numbers
Example: 4.8% → 5%
MacroPrint handles all FDA rounding automatically.Learn more about rounding rules →
Exemptions for Small Businesses
WARNING: Exemptions may not apply if making nutrient claims
If you claim "high protein" or "low carb," you MUST have a nutrition label, even if you qualify for an exemption.
Low-Volume Exemption:
Fewer than 100,000 units sold annually OR average fewer than 100,000 units sold per year over the past 3 years
Small Business Exemption:
Fewer than 100 full-time employees AND low annual food sales (check current threshold)
How to Get Nutrition Facts
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I use nutritional data from MyFitnessPal or other apps?
The FDA recommends using USDA FoodData Central or lab analysis. Consumer apps aren't designed for compliance labeling.
What if my recipe changes slightly?
If the change affects nutrition facts by more than 20%, you should update the label.
Do I need to register with the FDA?
Most meal prep businesses must register as food facilities. This is separate from labeling compliance. Visit FDA.gov for registration requirements.