W<\/span><\/span>eigh scale labels<\/a> and food safety go hand in hand. <\/span>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. <\/span>Scale labels designed for food safety provide consumers with essential information to make informed and secure food choices while keeping businesses in compliance.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n But navigating the ins and outs of these labels can be tricky.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n Let\u2019s break down what retailers need to know about food safety scale labels and the information they provide.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div> Alaina D’Altorio<\/p>\n<\/div><\/div><\/div> Food Safety Practices & Insights<\/p>\n<\/div><\/div><\/div> June 23th, 2023<\/p>\n<\/div><\/div><\/div> 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.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n For businesses, using the proper label means retailers are:<\/span><\/p>\n For the public, retailers use labels to:<\/span><\/p>\n \u00a0Consumers feel more confident shopping with a retailer that meets regulation standards set to prioritize their safety.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n But wait\u2026who\u2019s actually in charge of setting the rules for food safety?<\/span><\/p>\n<\/div><\/div><\/div> Just like with scale regulations, there\u2019s always an organization in charge of creating and implementing rules for the public good.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n In this case, food safety labeling involves several agencies on a national level. Here\u2019s a quick look at each one:\u00a0\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n 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. <\/span><\/p>\n<\/div><\/div><\/div> When it comes to scale labels printed for food safety, rules and regulations determine which products retailers <\/span>must <\/b>apply them to. <\/span><\/p>\n These labels help retailers stay compliant while providing specific information on the products individuals are looking to consume.<\/span><\/p>\n But which ones do retailers have to print and apply, and which food items require them?\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n Below are some examples of food safety scale labels and why they\u2019re necessary:<\/span><\/p>\n<\/div><\/div><\/div> Nutrition labels have nutritional information pertaining to food content printed on them. Scale labels with nutrition information can include:<\/span><\/p>\n They also provide serving sizes, calories, and percentages of each nutrient as part of a daily value for consumers.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n 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.<\/span><\/p>\n Why use these labels? <\/b>Nutrition labels offer benefits to a wide range of individuals:\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n 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.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n 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.\u00a0 <\/span><\/p>\n<\/div> 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).\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n They can include items like:<\/span><\/p>\n It\u2019s 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.<\/span><\/p>\n Why use these labels? <\/b>Ingredient labels offer benefits to a wide range of individuals:\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n 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.\u00a0 <\/span><\/p>\n<\/div> 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.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n These scale labels are a mandatory requirement by the USDA. They\u2019re printed with both text and symbols to safely address consumers on proper handling, preparation, cleaning, and storing.\u00a0\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n Why use these labels? <\/b>Safe handling labels instruct consumers how to avoid foodborne illnesses when dealing with raw food products. <\/span><\/p>\n<\/div> Along with nutrition, ingredients, and safe handling practices, scale labels can be printed with important dates relating to safe food consumption.<\/span><\/p>\n However, there\u2019s more than 1 date that can be printed and each option has a different meaning. Here\u2019s a breakdown of some of the dates you will find printed on food safety scale labels:<\/span><\/p>\n![](\"https:\/\/pinnaclelabels.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/06\/Optimized_The_Key_Ingredient_to_Food_Safety_Weigh_Scale_Labels_Feature.jpg\" "\\"The_Key_Ingredient_to_Food_Safety_Weigh_Scale_Labels_Feature\\"")
<\/span><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div>AUTHOR<\/h2><\/div>
CATEGORY<\/h2><\/div>
POSTED ON<\/h2><\/div>
SOCIAL<\/h2><\/div>
WHY FOOD SAFETY LABELING MATTERS<\/strong><\/h2><\/div>
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WHO’S IN CHARGE OF FOOD SAFETY FOR LABELS<\/strong><\/h2><\/div>
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DIFFERENT KINDS OF FOOD SAFETY SCALE LABELS\u00a0<\/strong><\/h2><\/div>
NUTRITION LABELS\u00a0<\/strong><\/h4><\/div>
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![](\"https:\/\/pinnaclelabels.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/06\/Food_Safety__Scale_Labels_Nutrition-1.png\")
INGREDIENT LABELS\u00a0<\/strong><\/h4><\/div>
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![](\"https:\/\/pinnaclelabels.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/06\/Optimized_The_Key_Ingredient_to_Food_Safety_Weigh_Scale_Labels_Ingredient.jpg\" "\\"Optimized_The_Key_Ingredient_to_Food_Safety_Weigh_Scale_Labels_Ingredient\\"")
<\/span><\/div><\/div><\/div>SAFE HANDLING<\/strong><\/h4><\/div>
![](\"https:\/\/pinnaclelabels.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/06\/Optimized_The_Key_Ingredient_to_Food_Safety_Weigh_Scale_Labels_Safe_Handling.jpg\" "\\"The_Key_Ingredient_to_Food_Safety_Weigh_Scale_Labels_Safe_Handling\\"")
<\/span><\/div><\/div><\/div>IMPORTANT DATES TO CONSIDER\u00a0<\/strong><\/h2><\/div>
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