MacroPrint
Complete Tutorial

How to Create Nutrition Labels (Step-by-Step)

Learn how to create professional, FDA-compliant nutrition labels for your meal prep or food business. From recipe to finished label in 7 steps.

Two Ways to Create Nutrition Labels

Manual Method

Spreadsheets + USDA database

Free but time-intensive. Expect 2-3 hours per label.

Best for:

  • • 1-2 recipes total
  • • One-time projects
  • • Learning process

Automated Software

Tools like MacroPrint

Paid but fast. 15 minutes per label, automatic FDA rounding.

Best for:

  • • 10+ recipes
  • • Recurring updates
  • • Professional quality

Step-by-Step: Manual Method

1

Finalize Your Recipe

Lock in your exact recipe. Weigh every ingredient in grams (not cups/tablespoons). Don't estimate — precision matters for compliance.

Example Recipe (Chicken Bowl):

  • • 200g chicken breast, cooked
  • • 150g brown rice, cooked
  • • 80g broccoli, steamed
  • • 20g olive oil
2

Look Up Ingredient Nutrition Data

Visit USDA FoodData Central (fdc.nal.usda.gov). Search for each ingredient. Download the nutrition info per 100g.

Tip: Use "SR Legacy" for standard reference values rather than branded products.
3

Calculate Total Nutrition

For each ingredient, multiply the per-100g values by your actual weight. Sum all ingredients to get the batch total.

Example Calculation (Protein):

  • • Chicken: 200g × 31g/100g = 62g
  • • Rice: 150g × 2.7g/100g = 4g
  • • Broccoli: 80g × 2.8g/100g = 2.2g
  • • Oil: 0g protein
  • Total: 68.2g protein (batch)
4

Divide by Servings

Divide all batch totals by the number of servings. Use realistic serving sizes based on FDA RACC.

If your batch makes 2 servings: 68.2g protein ÷ 2 = 34.1g protein per serving
5

Apply FDA Rounding Rules

Round per FDA guidelines. Calories round to nearest 10 (if ≥50 cal), protein/carbs/fat round to nearest 1g.

34.1g protein → 34g | 148 cal → 150 calSee all FDA rounding rules →
6

Format the Label

Use the FDA Nutrition Facts panel format. Download a template or use design software. The 2020 format has specific font sizes and spacing requirements.

Font requirements: Use Helvetica Black for "Nutrition Facts", standard Helvetica for everything else.
7

Add Allergen Warnings

Check ingredients for top 9 allergens. Add a "Contains:" statement after the ingredient list.

Contains: Milk, Wheat

Read full allergen guide →

Common Mistakes to Avoid

❌ Using volume instead of weight

"1 cup chicken" varies. Always use grams for accuracy.

❌ Forgetting to account for cooking

200g raw chicken ≠ 200g cooked chicken. Use "cooked" values or weigh after cooking.

❌ Wrong serving size calculation

Don't manipulate servings to make macros look better. FDA requires realistic portions.

Skip the Spreadsheets

MacroPrint automates steps 2-6. Add ingredients, get FDA-compliant labels in 15 minutes.