Certain food products are exempt from mandatory nutrition labeling, primarily those that are unprocessed or have undergone very minimal processing that doesn't significantly alter their natural state.
Foods that typically do not require a nutrition label include:
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Unprocessed, Single-Ingredient Products
This category encompasses foods that are in their natural form or have undergone only basic handling that does not change their fundamental nutritional makeup. They are characterized by consisting of a single ingredient or a distinct category of ingredients.- Examples: Fresh fruits (like apples, bananas, oranges), fresh vegetables (such as broccoli, carrots, potatoes), raw meats (e.g., whole cuts of beef, chicken breasts, pork chops), fresh fish, eggs, and plain milk. These items are often sold unpackaged or in simple containers without a detailed "Nutrition Facts" panel.
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Matured, Single-Ingredient Processed Products
This exemption applies to processed foods where the only processing they have undergone is a maturing process, and they also consist of a single ingredient or a defined category of ingredients. The maturing process is a natural, time-dependent transformation that doesn't involve complex manufacturing steps or the addition of numerous ingredients.- Examples: Many types of cheese that mature over time and are primarily derived from milk, or certain whole cured meats (e.g., a whole piece of dry-cured ham) where the curing process is the singular and primary processing step.
It's important to note that these exemptions primarily apply to the nutrition information panel. Other labeling requirements, such as ingredients lists (if the product has been processed beyond simple maturity), allergen warnings, or best-before/use-by dates, may still be mandatory depending on specific regulations and the product's nature. These exemptions are typically in place because consumers are generally familiar with the nutritional value of these basic foods, or their processing is so minimal that a detailed nutrition label is not deemed essential for public health information.
