Understanding the nutrition facts requirements for coffee, tea, and spices is essential for any company selling these products in the United States. The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) mandates Nutrition Facts labeling on most food products, whether they are produced domestically or imported.

Coffee, tea, and spices may qualify for an exemption from FDA nutrition labeling requirements if they contain “insignificant” amounts of all nutrients that must appear in the Nutrition Facts panel. However, this exemption has limitations, and businesses must know exactly when their product meets FDA’s definition of “insignificant.”

If a product requires Nutrition Facts labeling but is sold without it, FDA may detain it for misbranding and refuse entry into the United States, making compliance critical for importers and manufacturers alike.

Added Ingredients and Nutrition Facts Requirements for Coffee, Tea and Spices

The exemption from nutrition labeling applies to the finished food product, as packaged, and understanding when added ingredients trigger labeling requirements is a key part of FDA compliance — something covered in FSVP training.

If foods with insignificant amounts of nutrients are combined, the resulting product remains exempt. For example, plain coffee and cinnamon both contain insignificant nutrient amounts. Therefore, if combined into a single product, the result is still exempt from nutrition labeling. Once an ingredient with nutrients is added to the product, it no longer has insignificant amounts of nutrients and a Nutrition Facts label is required. Common examples include: chai latte mixes, sugar/sweetener, and candied fruit peel.

Claims and Other Nutrition Information

If any of the following types of claims are made, a Nutrition Facts Label is required:

• A nutrient content claim (“low-fat,” “healthy,” or “high in fiber”)
• A health claim (“Diets low in sodium may reduce the risk of high blood pressure, a disease associated with many factors”)
• A structure/function claim (“calcium builds strong bones”)

FDA regulations also state that the exemption does not apply if any nutrition information is present on the label.

If your product is exempt for Nutrition Facts labeling, voluntary information may still be provided. Some consumers seek more information on how the product was manufactured and find value in transparency.

Registrar Corp’s Regulatory Specialists can help you determine if your products require a Nutrition Facts label and keep your company in compliance with FDA regulations. Contact us by phone at +1-757-224-0177 or chat with a Regulatory Advisor 24 hours a day at www.registrarcorp.com/livehelp.