22 Jul What Grocery Buyers Look for on a Food Label (And How to Impress Them)
When you’re pitching your food product to grocery stores, one of the first things a buyer looks at is your label. It’s your silent salesperson — the first impression your brand makes on a crowded shelf. If your label is confusing, non-compliant, or unprofessional, you may not even make it to the next conversation.
In this post, we’ll break down what grocery buyers want to see on your food label — and how to make yours stand out for all the right reasons.
1. Clear Branding That Pops on the Shelf
Your label should answer these questions within 3 seconds:
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What is the product?
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What flavor or variety?
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Who is the brand?
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Why should a customer care?
Buyers want to see professional design, strong use of color and hierarchy, and a label that tells a story. It should be:
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Eye-catching but not overwhelming
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Easy to read from a few feet away
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On-brand and consistent across SKUs
✅ Pro Tip: Consider hiring a graphic designer with experience in CPG food packaging. And keep your brand consistent across labels, shippers, and display materials.
2. Fully Compliant with FDA or CFIA Labeling Regulations
Buyers are trained to spot red flags — and if your label doesn’t meet FDA (U.S.) or CFIA (Canada) requirements, they may reject your product immediately.
Your label must include:
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Nutrition Facts Panel (formatted correctly)
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Ingredient list in descending order by weight
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Allergen declaration
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Net weight/volume
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Manufacturer or distributor name and address
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Best By / Use By date (especially for perishable items)
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Country of origin (for international products)
⚠️ Warning: Missing or incorrect info can delay your launch, lead to a recall, or hurt buyer trust.
3. Retail-Friendly UPC Barcode
Every grocery buyer expects your product to have a GS1-registered UPC barcode on the label. It must be:
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The correct size and placement
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Scannable with no distortion
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Registered with your business name
Buyers rely on this barcode for inventory management and checkout systems. A non-functional barcode = instant rejection.
4. Shelf Life and Storage Instructions
Buyers need to know:
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How long the product lasts (shelf life)
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Storage requirements (e.g., frozen, refrigerated, ambient)
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Any sensitivities (heat, moisture, etc.)
If your product requires refrigeration or freezing, make sure it’s clearly marked on the front and back of the label.
✅ Pro Tip: Have your shelf life lab-tested so you can confidently label a “Best By” date.
5. Clean Claims and Certifications
Many buyers are looking for products that meet modern consumer demands, like:
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Organic
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Non-GMO
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Gluten-free
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Vegan / Plant-Based
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Keto-friendly
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Low sugar / High protein
But — you can’t just say it. You need proof.
If you’re claiming something like “gluten-free,” “keto,” or “high protein,” your label must be backed by:
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A nutrition analysis or lab test
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Proper third-party certification (where required)
💡 Tip: Avoid “buzzword overload.” Stick to 1–2 strong claims that truly apply to your product and are meaningful to your audience.
6. Retail-Ready Packaging Format
Even if your label looks great, buyers care about the entire package. They want to know:
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Will it hold up during shipping and stocking?
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Does it display well on the shelf?
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Is it easy to stack, hang, or face?
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Is the packaging food-safe and tamper-evident?
Bonus points if your packaging is sustainable or recyclable — just be sure any eco claims are legitimate.
7. Consistency Across SKUs
If you have multiple flavors or formats, buyers want to see brand consistency:
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Same font styles, layout, and logo placement
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Unique color-coding or flavor identifiers
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Cohesive line look that makes sense on a shelf
This makes your brand look organized, scalable, and professional — a major plus in the eyes of a retail buyer.
How United Food Labs Can Help
At United Food Labs, we specialize in helping food businesses get retail ready with:
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Nutrition Facts labeling (FDA & Health Canada-compliant)
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Ingredient and allergen reviews
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Shelf life testing and stability validation
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Label compliance checks
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Process Authority letters for acidified foods
We work with startups, manufacturers, and co-packers nationwide to ensure your product is not only safe and compliant — but also ready to impress buyers.
📍 Offices in California, Washington, North Carolina & Connecticut
📞 818-749-2751 | 📧 info@unitedfoodlabs.com
🌐 unitedfoodlabs.com
Your label can open doors — or close them. Make sure yours is doing its job.