27 Dec Amazon Nutrition Facts Requirements
Selling food and beverage products on Amazon is one of the fastest ways for small brands to reach national customers—but it also comes with strict requirements. Amazon expects every food listing to meet FDA labeling laws, follow 21 CFR regulations, and include a fully compliant Nutrition Facts Panel. If your label is incomplete, inaccurate, or missing mandatory statements, Amazon can block your listing, pull it down later, or even suspend your selling privileges.
The good news? Creating a compliant nutrition label is straightforward when you understand the rules.
This complete guide walks you through:
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Amazon’s requirements for food and beverage labels
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FDA rules you must follow for Nutrition Facts Panels
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Formatting, fonts, and layout requirements
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Serving size rules (RACCs)
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Allergen rules
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Ingredient statement rules
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Claims Amazon allows vs. rejects
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Common mistakes that get listings suspended
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How to prepare a label Amazon will approve the first time
This article is written specifically for Amazon sellers who want clarity, compliance, and smooth approvals—whether you’re launching a beverage, snack, sauce, protein shake, meal replacement, baked product, baby food, or functional food.
1. Why Amazon Checks Nutrition Labels So Strictly
Amazon is not technically a regulatory agency—but because they host food products, they must ensure sellers meet federal regulations. This protects Amazon from FDA enforcement, and it protects customers from unsafe or mislabeled foods.
Amazon checks Nutrition Facts labels because:
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The FDA requires NFPs to follow 21 CFR 101.9.
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Serving sizes must follow FDA RACCs.
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Allergens must be declared under FALCPA.
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Ingredients must be listed in descending weight order.
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Claims must be truthful, not misleading, and properly substantiated.
Small mistakes—like missing allergens, wrong serving sizes, or improper claims—can trigger Amazon:
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“Product authenticity” reviews
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Detail page suppression
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Listing removal
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Account warnings
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Account suspension in severe cases
2. What Amazon Requires on Every Food Label
Every Amazon food listing must include photos showing:
✔ Nutrition Facts Panel
✔ Ingredient list
✔ Allergen declaration
✔ Manufacturer / distributor information
✔ Net quantity of contents
✔ Storage instructions (if applicable)
✔ Expiration or best-by date (if applicable)
Amazon reviewers will zoom in on your label photo and check for all mandatory content.
3. FDA Nutrition Facts Panel Requirements
The Nutrition Facts Panel (NFP) must follow 21 CFR 101.9 rules. Amazon rejects any NFP with incorrect formatting, spacing, or statements.
Here’s what Amazon checks:
A. Required Sections in the Nutrition Facts Panel
The NFP must include:
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Serving size
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Servings per container
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Calories
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Total fat
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Saturated fat
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Trans fat
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Cholesterol
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Sodium
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Total carbohydrates
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Dietary fiber
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Total sugars
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Added sugars
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Protein
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Vitamin D
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Calcium
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Iron
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Potassium
Optional (when present in product):
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Vitamin A
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Vitamin C
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Other vitamins/minerals
These sections must be listed in the exact order required by the FDA.
B. Font and Formatting Rules
FDA formatting rules Amazon expects:
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Minimum 6-point font
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Helvetica or similar sans-serif font
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No condensed or stylized fonts
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Bold for certain nutrients (total fat, sodium, etc.)
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Boxed format with black lines
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Proper indentation of subcomponents
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Consistent spacing
Amazon will reject labels with:
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Nonstandard fonts
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Decorative fonts
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Colors other than black text on white background
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Wrong layout order
C. The Dual-Column Label Requirement
Dual-column labels are required when:
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A package is normally consumed in one sitting but contains >1 serving
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Example: A 20 oz energy drink
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Example: A 3-pack of protein cookies meant to be eaten together
Amazon checks for dual panels on:
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Beverages 12–24 oz
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Chips & snacks 2–3 servings
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Ready-to-eat beverages
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Multi-serving bars or desserts
Failure to use a dual column is a top cause of rejections.
D. Serving Size (RACC) Rules
Serving size must follow FDA RACCs (Reference Amounts Customarily Consumed).
Examples:
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Chips: 30g
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Beverages: 12 fl oz
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Ice cream: 2/3 cup
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Yogurt: 170g
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Infant food: 113g
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Bakery muffins: 55g
If you make up your own serving size, Amazon will see it as misbranding.
4. Ingredient List Requirements Amazon Enforces
Below the Nutrition Facts Panel, Amazon checks:
A. Ingredients must be listed in descending weight order
Example:
Ingredients: Water, Cane Sugar, Lemon Juice, Natural Flavor, Vitamin C (Ascorbic Acid)
Amazon rejects:
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Random ordering
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Alphabetical ordering
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Missing minor ingredients
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Incorrect format
B. Sub-ingredients must appear in parentheses
Example:
Chocolate Chips (Sugar, Cocoa Butter, Cocoa Mass, Soy Lecithin)
Amazon rejects labels missing sub-ingredient disclosures.
C. Allergen declarations must follow FALCPA
Top 9 allergens:
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Milk
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Eggs
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Fish
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Shellfish
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Tree nuts
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Peanuts
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Wheat
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Soybeans
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Sesame
Allergens must be declared:
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Within the ingredient list OR
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In a “Contains:” statement
Amazon rejects labels missing allergens when they appear in ingredients.
D. Natural flavors and colors must follow FDA rules
Amazon checks for:
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“Artificial flavor” disclosure
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“Artificial color” disclosure
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Proper naming
5. Amazon’s Requirements for Claims (VERY Strict)
Amazon uses AI to scan your label images and listing text for illegal claims.
Claims You CANNOT make:
❌ Anti-inflammatory
❌ Treats GERD
❌ Eliminates migraines
❌ Lowers cholesterol
❌ Clears eczema
❌ Prevents cancer
❌ Treats IBS
❌ Cures anxiety or depression
These require drug approval—and Amazon will suppress your listing.
Allowed Claims:
✔ Supports immune health
✔ Supports digestion
✔ Supports energy**
✔ Excellent source of vitamin C
✔ Good source of fiber
✔ No added sugar
✔ Non-GMO (if verified)
✔ Organic (if certified)
Claims must have:
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Lab testing
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Substantiation
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Proper usage per 21 CFR laws
6. Label Placement Requirements
Amazon accepts labels that follow FDA placement rules:
✔ NFP must be on the information panel
✔ Ingredient list must be adjacent to NFP
✔ Name & place of business must appear near NFP
✔ Net contents must be on PDP (front)
If your label is split into multiple panels, Amazon reviewers will require all panels to be uploaded clearly in product images.
7. Photos Amazon Requires for Listing Approval
You must upload label photos showing clearly:
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Full front label
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Full back label
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Close-up of NFP
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Close-up of ingredients
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Close-up of allergens
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Expiration/batch code (if required)
Amazon rejects blurry images or low resolution.
8. Special Rules for Certain Categories
A. Beverages
Amazon checks:
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Serving size (must follow RACC for drinks)
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Dual column rule for >1 serving
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Caffeine disclosure (if added)
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Added sugar accuracy
B. Infant Foods
Amazon enforces extremely strict rules:
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Exact RACC serving size (usually 113g for jars)
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Stage labeling restrictions (“6+ months,” “9+ months”)
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Formula claims restrictions
C. Functional Foods
Functional foods must avoid supplement claims.
Example:
❌ “Reduces cortisol”
✔ “Supports relaxation”
D. Meal Replacement Products
Amazon checks:
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Protein claims
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Calorie counts
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Vitamin/mineral accuracy
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Fiber content
9. The Most Common Reasons Amazon Rejects Nutrition Labels
1. Serving size doesn’t follow FDA RACCs
Brands who “customize” serving sizes almost always get flagged.
2. Missing required nutrients
Especially Added Sugars and Vitamin D.
3. Wrong font or formatting
Amazon is strict—must follow FDA layout rules exactly.
4. Allergen statement missing
Huge red flag.
5. Ingredient order incorrect
Amazon reviewers often check weight order.
6. Dual-column label missing
Common in beverages and multi-serving snacks.
7. Disease claims on packaging
Amazon’s automated system will catch it.
10. How to Get a Fully Compliant Nutrition Label
The safest way is working with a food lab specializing in:
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FDA 21 CFR 101 compliance
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Nutrition Facts creation
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Amazon-ready label formatting
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ESHA Genesis formulation
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Ingredient and allergen verification
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RACC and serving size compliance
A compliant label helps you:
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Avoid listing delays
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Prevent future rejections
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Reduce legal risk
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Build customer trust
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Ensure accuracy in advertising
11. Uploading to Amazon: Step-by-Step
Step 1: Take high-resolution photos of your label
Include:
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Front
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Back
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NFP
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Ingredients
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Allergen disclosure
Step 2: Upload photos to your Amazon listing
Under:
Product Images → Add Image
Step 3: Upload label documentation (optional but recommended)
Under:
Product Compliance → Compliance Documentation → Food & Beverage
Step 4: Submit for approval
Amazon reviews in:
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24–72 hours for simple foods
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3–7 days for beverages or functional foods
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Up to 2 weeks if compliance asks for more documentation
12. Advanced Tips to Increase Approval & Conversions
A. Add a “Nutrition Transparency” image
Show your NFP with:
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Ingredient highlights
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Allergen icons
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Claims icons
B. Add a QR code linking to testing results
Amazon reviewers appreciate transparency—and customers love it.
C. Use A+ Content for nutrition education
Include:
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Ingredient breakdown
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Functional benefits
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Quality assurance
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Testing certificates
D. Keep your label simple
Overcrowded labels confuse customers and reviewers.
Conclusion
Creating Amazon-compliant Nutrition Facts labels is not complicated once you understand FDA rules and Amazon’s review process. By following NFP formatting requirements, using FDA-approved serving sizes, declaring allergens properly, listing ingredients in the correct order, and avoiding prohibited claims, you can ensure your listing is approved quickly and stays compliant.
A great label isn’t just for compliance—it’s one of the strongest trust builders you have online.