| European Union |
Use the official language or languages required by the destination Member State. A multilingual label may be used when the text remains legible. |
Metric units are standard. Decimal commas are widely used, although formatting practice can vary by country. Use litres, kilograms, grams, millilitres, centimetres, and degrees Celsius where relevant. |
Net quantity must use approved metric units. Use “best before” for quality-dated products and “use by” for safety-dated highly perishable foods. Date presentation should be unambiguous. |
Food allergens from the legally defined list must be clearly emphasized in the ingredients list. Mandatory nutrition information is generally expressed per 100 g or 100 ml; per-serving information may be added. |
Do not treat the Mobius loop or other recycling symbols as proof that packaging is recyclable everywhere. Recycling instructions and producer obligations can differ by Member State. |
Nutrition and health claims must meet harmonized conditions. “Organic,” origin, sustainability, and environmental claims require evidence and may be subject to additional national or sector rules. |
| United States |
English is generally used for federally regulated consumer food labels. Additional languages may be included, but required information must remain clear and compliant. |
Packaged foods commonly show U.S. customary units with metric equivalents for net quantity. Temperatures are normally shown in degrees Fahrenheit; metric equivalents can be added. |
Net quantity requires both customary and metric declarations for many packaged foods. Federal law does not generally require a quality date on most packaged foods, except for specific categories such as infant formula; voluntary dates must not mislead. |
The major food allergen list contains nine allergens, including sesame. The Nutrition Facts label is based primarily on serving size, calories, and nutrients per serving, with required formatting rules. |
Recycling access and labeling rules vary by state and locality. Use resin identification codes only when appropriate, and avoid implying universal recyclability without supporting evidence. |
“Healthy,” nutrient-content, organic, gluten-free, and structure/function claims have specific conditions. Avoid disease-treatment language unless the claim is authorized under the applicable regulatory pathway. |
| Canada |
Mandatory label information generally requires both English and French. The two languages should have equal prominence and remain legible. |
Metric units are required for most quantity declarations. Use consistent metric abbreviations and avoid relying solely on U.S. customary units. |
Use regulated date wording such as “best before” where applicable. Quantity, identity, and other mandatory information must follow Canadian formatting and placement requirements. |
Priority allergens include 11 prescribed allergens, including sesame. The Nutrition Facts table uses regulated serving information, and certain prepackaged foods require a front-of-package nutrition symbol from January 1, 2026. |
Recycling and extended producer responsibility requirements differ by province. Confirm whether disposal instructions, material labels, or provincial registrations are needed. |
Nutrient-content and health claims must meet Canadian criteria. Translate claims consistently; a claim that is permitted in one market may require different wording or evidence in Canada. |
| United Kingdom |
English is the principal label language. Imported products must show the required responsible business and importer information for the applicable part of the UK. |
Metric units are required for most food and consumer product quantity declarations. Celsius is standard for temperature information. |
Use “best before” for quality and “use by” for safety where applicable. Date format should be clear and consistent, particularly where day and month could be confused. |
Allergens must be emphasized in the ingredients list. Nutrition information is generally provided per 100 g or 100 ml, with optional per-portion information where permitted. |
Recycling labels should reflect UK collection realities and packaging obligations. A recycling symbol must not imply that every local authority accepts the material. |
Health, nutrition, origin, and environmental claims must be accurate, substantiated, and not misleading. Front-of-pack traffic-light nutrition information is widely used but should follow the applicable UK guidance. |
| Japan |
Japanese is required for core mandatory information on products sold domestically. Translated supplementary text does not replace required Japanese labeling. |
Metric units are standard. Use clear Japanese number formatting and provide package quantity in the legally accepted unit for the product category. |
Food dates are commonly shown in year-month-day order. Distinguish the quality period from the safety period and ensure the date is readable after opening or normal handling. |
Specified allergens must be declared according to Japanese requirements, and nutrition information follows prescribed Japanese formats. Do not assume that an allergen list from another market is equivalent. |
Use only symbols and disposal instructions that are valid for the material and packaging configuration. Separate-material marks may be required for certain containers and packaging components. |
Functional, health, and nutrition claims are category-specific and may require notification, evidence, or approved wording. Avoid direct translations that create an unauthorized medical implication. |
| Australia and New Zealand |
English is the principal language for mandatory information. Imported food must also meet applicable country-of-origin and importer requirements. |
Metric units are standard. Use grams, kilograms, millilitres, litres, and degrees Celsius as appropriate for the product. |
Use “use-by” and “best-before” wording according to the food’s safety and quality characteristics. Quantity and date information must be prominent and legible. |
Allergens must be declared using required names and presentation rules. The Nutrition Information Panel generally provides values per serving and per 100 g or 100 ml. |
Follow applicable packaging stewardship and disposal guidance. The Australasian Recycling Label is a voluntary system and should be used only when the packaging assessment supports the stated outcome. |
Nutrition and health claims must satisfy the applicable food standards. Country-of-origin statements must accurately reflect the required production and ingredient information. |
| Gulf Cooperation Council markets |
Arabic is commonly required for mandatory information, often alongside English. Confirm the exact language, translation, sticker, and approval rules for each destination country. |
Metric units are generally used. Show quantity, volume, and temperature in clear metric form and avoid relying on region-specific customary units. |
Use an unambiguous Gregorian date format unless the destination authority accepts an additional calendar. Shelf-life and storage statements should remain readable in both languages. |
Ingredient, allergen, nutrition, and storage requirements vary by product and country. Where relevant, halal status and ingredients of animal origin should be supported by appropriate documentation. |
Recycling and conformity symbols are not automatically interchangeable with European or North American marks. Use only symbols accepted for the destination and product category. |
Religious, health, origin, quality, and sustainability claims should be substantiated and locally reviewed. Avoid absolute terms such as “100% safe” or “best in the world.” |
