Labelling Your Products

What is a Label?

A label is a piece of paper, fabric, or plastic you attach to your product. It provides instructions about the product or is used to identify its contents.

Why is Labelling necessary?

  • It conveys information about the nutritional content of foods.
  • It encourages you, the manufacturer, to engage in sound practices that will not endanger the health of your customers.
  • Consumers can use the label to help select healthier foods and plan nutritious meals for themselves and their families.
  • The 'per 100g' information can be used to compare food products with each other.
  • The 'per serve' information is useful in estimating how much of a nutrient one is eating.
  • It assists in promoting the sale of your product.

Information to include on your Product Label

  1. Food items
    • Name of the food.
      • Place on the front panel or the main display panel.
      • Print using a noticeable print type.
      • Include the form of the food, e.g., whole, halves, salted, unsalted, etc.
    • List of ingredients.
      • Include each ingredient used in the product, starting with the ingredient that weighs the most.
    • Net quantity of contents.
      • How much of the product is in the containers.
      • Give information in both metric (litre, grams, etc.) and imperial units (ozs, lbs, kilos, etc.).
    • Appropriate durability indication.
      • 'Use by' or 'best before'.
    • Special storage instructions or conditions of use.
    • Name and address of the manufacturer, packer, or seller.
    • Place or country of origin of the food.
    • Instructions for use where necessary.
    • Nutrition information in the prescribed format where any claim about nutrition content has been made.
  2. Clothing or Garments
    • Type of material the garment is made of.
    • Fibre content, e.g., 100% cotton, etc. The fibre content that is highest in percentage is listed first.
    • Care instructions (How to care for the item).
    • Laundering information/instructions must be provided starting with washing, then bleaching, and finally drying and ironing.
    • The country in which the garment was made or manufactured.
  3. Household & Garden items
    • Composition or what it is made up of.
    • Uses.
    • Warnings.
    • First aid instructions.
    • Type of applicator to use.
    • Warranty or guarantee.
  4. Cosmetics, Toiletries & Drugs
    • List of ingredients in the product.
    • Any precautions or safety measures for using the product.