New FDA Nutrition Facts Label Font Style and Size

The FDA has reworked the Nutrition Facts labels to put more visual emphasis on calories. Other, more subtle changes have been implemented, too. The theory is that these changes will help consumers make better, more informed decisions about their food purchases.

This blog covers the recommended label typefaces, sizes, and styles for a standard Nutrition Facts Panel.

FDA Nutrition Label Font and Rule Sizes

The FDA’s examples are in Helvetica and Franklin Gothic, but any legible font may be used. ESHA’s Genesis R&D Foods program uses Arial for all formatting.

All headings and nutrients that are not indented are required to be highlighted in bold or extra bold type. This includes Nutrition Facts, Serving Size, Amount per serving, % Daily Value, Calories, Total Fat, Cholesterol, Sodium, Total Carbohydrate, and Protein.

Nutrition Facts

“Nutrition Facts” must be the largest text in the panel; (except for the numerical information for Calories) at least 16 point for Standard formats and 10 point for Tabular and Linear formats. For example, if you set your Calories font to 16 point, the Nutrition Facts heading must be 16 point or higher.

• At least 16 point font for Standard formats
• At least 10 point font for Tabular and Linear formats

Servings per container

• At least 10 point font for Standard formats
• At least 9 point font for Tabular and Linear formats

Servings size + Servings Size Amount

• At least 10 point font for Standard formats
• At least 9 point font for Tabular and Linear formats

The serving size amount must be right-justified if adequate space is available. If the “Serving size” declaration does not fit in the allocated space a type size of no smaller than 8 point may be used on packages of any size.

Amount Per Serving

• At least 6 point font for all formats

Calories

• At least 16 point font for Standard formats
• At least 10 point font for Tabular and Linear formats

Numeric Calorie Value

• At least 22 point font for Standard formats
• At least 14 point font for Tabular and Linear formats

%DV Heading

• At least 6 point font for all formats

Nutrients and %DV Value

• At least 8 point font for all formats

Footnote

• At least 6 point font for all formats

Genesis R&D Food Labeling software makes complying with the regulations easy. All of the formatting typefaces, sizes, and styles have been implemented into the program to ensure compliance.