LABELING REQUIREMENTS FOR PRODUCE FARMS IN MINNESOTA
Most packaged fruits and vegetables that are sold to consumers (whether fresh, frozen, or otherwise) need a food label, regardless of the farm’s status under the Food Safety Modernization Act (FSMA) Produce Safety Rule. The label must comply with Minnesota Statutes Chapter 31 and FDA 21 CFR 101 labeling regulations.
What is packaged produce?
"Package" means any container or wrapping in which any consumer commodity is enclosed for use in the delivery or display of that consumer commodity to retail purchases, but does not include:
(1) shipping containers or wrappings used solely for the transportation of any consumer commodity in bulk or in quantity to manufacturers, packers, or processors, or to wholesale or retail distributors thereof; or
(2) shipping containers or outer wrappings used by retailers to ship or deliver any commodity to retail customers if such containers and wrappings bear no printed matter pertaining to any particular commodity.
What must be included on the label?
Complete food packaging labels must include:
- Name of the product: The label must clearly identify the product.
- Contact information: The business name and address of the manufacturer (i.e., grower), packager, or distributor must be provided.
- Net quantity: The net quantity of the contents (either by weight or count) must be displayed.
- Ingredient list: An ingredient list is not required for single-ingredient items. However, if the produce is processed (e.g., pre-cut or canned) or contains additives, an ingredient list is required.
- Nutritional information: A nutrition facts panel is generally not required for raw, unprocessed whole fruits and vegetables. However, if the packaging includes any nutritional claims (such as "low calorie" or "high in fiber"), a nutrition facts panel must be included.
When is a label not required?
If produce is sold unpackaged (e.g., displayed in open trays or in bulk), no individual label is required.
If selling cases of bulk, loose produce to a wholesale buyer, however, the buyer may require its farm suppliers to label cases of bulk produce with complete food packaging labels, or other information as specified by the buyer. The farm may also choose to label each case of produce with complete food packaging labels and/or other information, such as lot codes, for its traceability purposes.
Farmers selling unpackaged produce may also be required to follow other signage requirements for these types of sales, depending on their farm’s status under the FSMA Produce Safety Rule and the types of produce sold.
To learn more about your status under the FSMA Produce Safety Rule and signage requirements for farms that are eligible for a Qualified Exemption refer to the labeling and signage rules for Qualified Exempt farms webpage.
Minnesota Grown labeling/signage cost share
If you are developing a new label, tag, bag, box, or permanent sign and would like to add the Minnesota Grown logo, you may be eligible to receive a reimbursement up to $300 in the current fiscal year (July 1 - June 30). Visit Minnesota Grown for more information.
