Weigh scale labels and food safety go hand in hand. Retailers using this equipment play a critical role in ensuring the safety of food they sell. One way they do this is by applying scale labels. Scale labels designed for food safety provide consumers with essential information to make informed and secure food choices while keeping businesses in compliance.
But navigating the ins and outs of these labels can be tricky.
Let’s break down what retailers need to know about food safety scale labels and the information they provide.
WHY FOOD SAFETY LABELING MATTERS
Food safety labeling is an important tool that retailers utilize to protect both their business and the public. Think about it: every consumable product you buy from a store is labeled for the purpose of food safety.
For businesses, using the proper label means retailers are:
- Up to date with compliance and regulations.
- Protects themselves against financial and legal liabilities
- Creating a positive business image
- Building trust with consumers
For the public, retailers use labels to:
- Help consumers make informed decisions about food
- Promote public health
- Protect consumers from foodborne illnesses
- Identify and track contaminated
Consumers feel more confident shopping with a retailer that meets regulation standards set to prioritize their safety.
But wait…who’s actually in charge of setting the rules for food safety?
WHO’S IN CHARGE OF FOOD SAFETY FOR LABELS
Just like with scale regulations, there’s always an organization in charge of creating and implementing rules for the public good.
In this case, food safety labeling involves several agencies on a national level. Here’s a quick look at each one:
- FDA (Food and Drug Administration) – The FDA is responsible for assuring that all foods sold in the U.S. are “safe, wholesome, and properly labeled.” You can find out more about the FDA here.
- USDA (US Department of Agriculture) – The USDA is responsible for developing and implementing federal laws related to farming, agriculture, forestry, food. You can find out more about the USDA here.
- FSIS (Food Safety and Inspection Services) – FSIS is an agency in the USDA. They ensure specific raw or partially cooked meat, poultry and egg products are handled safely and packaged correctly, including labeling. You can find out more about the FSIS here.
The food safety regulations enforced by these agencies are then translated into the information printed on scale labels. However, depending on the type of label, this information can vary.
DIFFERENT KINDS OF FOOD SAFETY SCALE LABELS
When it comes to scale labels printed for food safety, rules and regulations determine which products retailers must apply them to.
These labels help retailers stay compliant while providing specific information on the products individuals are looking to consume.
But which ones do retailers have to print and apply, and which food items require them?
Below are some examples of food safety scale labels and why they’re necessary:
NUTRITION LABELS
Nutrition labels have nutritional information pertaining to food content printed on them. Scale labels with nutrition information can include:
- Fats
- Cholesterol
- Sodium
- Sugars
- Carbohydrates
They also provide serving sizes, calories, and percentages of each nutrient as part of a daily value for consumers.
Nutrition scale labels are mandatory on all pre-packaged food products sold by retailers. Exemptions are made for fresh fruits and vegetables, meats, poultry and fish, and bulk foods sold by weight.
Why use these labels? Nutrition labels offer benefits to a wide range of individuals:
Consumers can make informed decisions about the nutritional content of their food. Individuals with specific dietary needs or following specific diets or those with health conditions, like diabetes or heart disease, use these labels to keep track of their nutrient intake.
Health professionals and fitness enthusiasts can help create and monitor dietary plans. Retailers are able to remain compliant with regulations and provide transparent information for consumers.
INGREDIENT LABELS
Ingredient labels are just that: labels listing the ingredients of a product. Ingredients must be listed on scale labels in descending order of predominance by weight (the heaviest item to the lightest).
They can include items like:
- Preservatives and additives
- Colors
- Flavors and spices
It’s mandatory to have an ingredient scale label on any food item with 2 or more ingredients. Products that are a mixture of different ingredients or items prepared in-store, like baked goods or salads, must be labeled. Exceptions can be made for foods that do not have more than one ingredient, like raw products.
Why use these labels? Ingredient labels offer benefits to a wide range of individuals:
Consumers can make informed decisions about food based on their dietary needs, preferences, and restrictions. Individuals with health conditions, like food allergies and intolerances, can avoid triggers. Health professionals can use these labels to guide their advice on dietary management for their patients. Regulatory bodies ensure retailers are complying with labeling laws.
SAFE HANDLING
Safe handling scale labels are specifically applied to raw or partially cooked meat and poultry products, like beef, chicken, and pork. This also includes meat products that are smoked but not fully cooked through.
These scale labels are a mandatory requirement by the USDA. They’re printed with both text and symbols to safely address consumers on proper handling, preparation, cleaning, and storing.
Why use these labels? Safe handling labels instruct consumers how to avoid foodborne illnesses when dealing with raw food products.
IMPORTANT DATES TO CONSIDER
Along with nutrition, ingredients, and safe handling practices, scale labels can be printed with important dates relating to safe food consumption.
However, there’s more than 1 date that can be printed and each option has a different meaning. Here’s a breakdown of some of the dates you will find printed on food safety scale labels:
- Use-by date – This date is recommended for use of the product while it’s at peak quality. Consuming food past a use-by date increases risks to health.
- Sell-by date – This is NOT a safety date. This date is for inventory management for how long a retailer should display a product for sale.
- Best-by date – This is NOT a purchase or safety date. This date indicates when a product will have the best quality, flavor or texture. Eating food past this date isn’t necessarily dangerous but it might not taste as good.
- Freeze-by date – This date is typically used for fresh products to notify when food needs to be frozen to maintain peak quality.
- Expiration date – This date indicates the last date the food will be at its best quality. After this date, food may be unsafe to consume and could lead to health risks.
Knowing the difference between these dates and what they mean for food products can greatly reduce the chances of foodborne illnesses and extend the overall quality of food products.
COUNTRY OF ORIGIN
Knowing the location of where your food comes from is a huge factor in food safety – and especially imported goods.Country of origin lets consumers know where their food product was grown, raised, manufactured, or produced.
Several USDA laws require retailers to notify consumers of country of origin on the following products:
- Muscle cuts, ground, or processed meats and poultry
- Wild and farm-raised fish and shellfish
- Fresh produce
- Honey
- Peanuts, pecans, ginseng, and macadamia nuts
Country of origin labels benefit food safety for several reasons:
- Traceability for food safety issues
- Transparency
- Regulation compliance
- Allergy and dietary concerns
However, scale labels aren’t the only way retailers can stay compliant with food safety. Implementing the right food safety procedures in their business is just one more way to prioritize the well-being of consumers and adhere to regulations.
FOOD SAFETY PRACTICES FOR RETAILERS
Besides labeling, retailers need to consider other factors that can help maximize food safety for their business.
Installing food safety practices minimizes the chances of spreading germs and pathogens, and keeps both retailers and consumers safe and healthy.
MAINTAINING PROPER HYGIENE
Scales need to be cleaned and disinfected frequently throughout the workday to maintain effective hygiene. This frequency depends on the traffic of business but it’s recommended to clean and disinfect ideally 2-3 times a day.
Using food safe products is highly recommended, like soap and water or cleaning solutions. Unsafe food products may contaminate products.
PREVENT CROSS CONTAMINATION
Cross contamination occurs when harmful bacteria is unintentionally spread from one surface or food to another. One way retailers can minimize this is by using different scales in different food departments, like meat, deli, bakery, etc.
By designating specific scales for certain food products, the possibility of contamination between raw and ready to eat foods drops considerably.
DEVICE MAINTENANCE
Maintenance on scales might not seem like a food safety practice, but it’s one retailers need to keep in mind.
Regular maintenance ensures accuracy and reliability when weighing food products, which is vital for accurate measurements. The information printed on scale labels must align with everything about the product: ingredients, amounts, nutrition facts, allergies, etc.
Proper upkeep also prevents fraud through any mislabeling issues. Inaccurate information can result in improper food handling, which could result in penalties or legal issues with your business.
LEGIBLE LABELS
Food safety information on scale labels must be legible to be effective. This means printing with a large enough font that consumers can clearly see and read.
Unless otherwise stated, the font size on food safety scale labels should be no smaller than 1/16th of an inch in height.
CONSEQUENCES OF NOT BEING COMPLIANT
There’s always consequences for not following the rules. And for food safety, failure to comply with regulations can result in serious repercussions for retailers. This includes:
- Legal liability or criminal charges
- Hefty fines
- Product recalls
Legal consequences aren’t the only factor. Retailers can also face backlash from consumers if they’re not compliant with food safety standards. This can mean:
- Loss of trust
- Complaints or boycotts
- Negative reputation
- Reduced sales
YOUR FOOD SAFETY KNOWLEDGE IS COMPLETE
As you can see, there’s a lot to cover when it comes to food safety labels. But printing the right information will ensure your business stays compliant and your customers are provided with the necessary information to stay healthy.
Looking for scale labels to help keep your business in compliance for food safety?
Shop Pinnaclelabels.com for a wide variety of scale label sizes and preprints to help meet your business needs. Have questions? Give our team a call at 800-955-5555 or email us at info@pinnaclelabels.com.