5 Pieces of Information Every Product Package Must Have

Have you ever wondered what information you are legally required to include on your product packaging? Don't let not knowing keep you up at night.

Five pieces of information must appear on every product package when selling in the United States. Says who? The government, of course! This is outlined in the Fair Packaging and Labeling Act and can be found on the FTC website. Don't worry you're not going to have to read through the bill to figure out what information to include on your packaging. This blog post will explain what information FPLA requires and what it means for your product packaging.

Now, before diving into the checklist, let's cover the basics of the Fair Packaging and Labeling Act from ftc.com:

The Fair Packaging and Labeling Act (FPLA or Act), enacted in 1967, directs the Federal Trade Commission and the Food and Drug Administration to issue regulations requiring that all "consumer commodities" be labeled to disclose net contents, identity of commodity, and name and place of business of the product's manufacturer, packer, or distributor. The Act authorizes additional regulations where necessary to prevent consumer deception (or to facilitate value comparisons) with respect to descriptions of ingredients, slack fill of packages, use of "cents-off" or lower price labeling, or characterization of package sizes.

Basic Requirements: The FPLA requires each package of household "consumer commodities" that is included in the coverage of the FPLA to bear a label on which there is:

- a statement identifying the commodity, e.g., detergent, sponges, etc.;

- the name and place of business of the manufacturer, packer, or distributor;

- and the net quantity of contents in terms of weight, measure, or numerical count (measurement must be in both metric and inch/pound units)

Purpose of the Act: The FPLA is designed to facilitate value comparisons and to prevent unfair or deceptive packaging and labeling of many household "consumer commodities."

Hang on! You mentioned five pieces of information. But, the regulation only lists three bullet points. Not to worry, we'll elaborate on two of those bullet points by covering them in two different ways. By including all of this information on your product packaging, you can build trust with your customers and reduce the risk of any legal issues down the line. Remember, clear and accurate labeling is key to a successful product launch.

1. Brand Name or Logo

"the name and place of business of the manufacturer, packer, or distributor," which we're going to break into two separate elements for your packaging.

The first is the business's name, which is identified with your brand name or logo. It's essential to include your brand's name so customers can recognize who made the product. Include your brand name or logo prominently on the primary display panel, also known as the front of the package.

2. Product Name & 3. Description of Product

"a statement identifying the commodity"

his one can get a little tricky. Make sure the name of your product is clearly displayed on the primary display panel so customers can easily identify what they are purchasing. FPLA notes this as "the identity of the product (common name or specific type)," which means stating in plain language what your product is. So if you have a branded or fanciful name for your product, lead with that and then support it with a brief and straightforward explanation of the product.

A plain language statement may not be necessary if your product is easily recognizable. However, it is still important to provide some information that clarifies the product and its intended purpose.

4. Weight, Size, Quantity, or Piece Count

The FPLA regulation states you must include, "the net quantity of contents in terms of weight, measure, or numerical count (measurement must be in both metric and inch/pound units)." Make sure to include this information on the packaging so customers know exactly how much they are getting.

• Products sold by weight or volume must include the avoirdupois pound and ounce and SI metric kilograms, grams, or milligrams. 

• Products sold by measure must include the length and width in feet and inches as well as meters.

• Products that include multiple of the same or different components on the front call out how many pieces are included.

5. Company Name & Location

We're returning to "the name and place of business of the manufacturer, packer, or distributor." Somewhere on your package, you'll need to include the formal name of your business and the city and state or country of your business. This doesn't need to be super prominent. At Hidden Path Creative, we usually include this as small text near the UPC barcode.

Out Smart the Packaging Guessing Game!

By including this information on your product packaging, you can provide your customers with a clear understanding and make it easy to compare products. Ensuring that your product packaging includes the necessary information helps your customers make informed decisions and helps your business comply with the law.

We've pulled together a bundle of checklists that will help you feel confident as you develop and design standout packaging! Sign up now!