FDA 21 CFR § 101.5
FDA Manufacturer Address Label Requirements
Food labels sold in the U.S. must identify the manufacturer, packer, or distributor responsible for the product, along with a verifiable address. This information must appear on the information panel and must be complete enough for consumers to contact the responsible party.
Required Information
The name and place of business must include all of the following:
- Company name — the legal name of the manufacturer, packer, or distributor
- Street address — unless the firm is listed in a current city, telephone, or trade directory
- City
- State (or country for imported products)
- ZIP code
Manufacturer vs. Distributor Wording
If the product is not manufactured by the company whose name appears on the label, a qualifying phrase is required to clarify the relationship.
Manufactured by
Example Foods Inc.
123 Oak Street
Chicago, IL 60601
Distributed by (different from manufacturer)
Distributed by: Example Brands LLC
New York, NY 10001
Manufactured for
Manufactured for: Example Foods
Austin, TX 78701
Packed by
Packed by: Example Packing Co.
Seattle, WA 98101
When You Can Omit the Street Address
The street address may be omitted if the company is listed in a current city directory, telephone directory, or trade directory that is available to the public. However, the city, state, and ZIP code must always be present.
Tip: If you're unsure whether your company is listed in a public directory, it's safest to include the full street address. Omitting it when not actually listed in a directory is a labeling violation.
Foreign Manufacturers and Importers
For products manufactured outside the U.S. and imported by a U.S. company, the label must identify the U.S. importer or distributor. The foreign manufacturer's address may also be included, but the U.S. contact information is the minimum requirement.
Imported product example
Imported by: Example Import Co.
Miami, FL 33101
Product of Italy
Common Mistakes
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Omitting the street address without confirming the company is listed in a public directory
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Missing the ZIP code — all five components (name, street, city, state, ZIP) are required unless the street address exemption applies
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Not using a qualifying phrase like "Distributed by" or "Manufactured for" when the named company didn't manufacture the product
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Using a P.O. Box as the address when not listed in a public directory
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Using only a website URL or email address — a physical address is required
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Placing the manufacturer information on the principal display panel — it belongs on the information panel