Buy a full case and the price per unit drops automaticallyRequest a sample
AccountCart0
All ContainersBottlesJarsCaps & ClosuresPumps & SprayersTubs & PailsJugsDroppersTinsTubesAccessories
Industries
Personal CareShop all 934 items →
AromatherapyContainers →BathContainers →Body careContainers →Color cosmeticsContainers →DeodorantContainers →FragranceContainers →GroomingContainers →Hair careContainers →Lip careContainers →NailContainers →Oral careContainers →Skin and faceContainers →Soap and washContainers →Sun and protectionContainers →
Written in depth:AromatherapyBathBody careColor cosmeticsDeodorantFragranceGroomingHair careLip careNailOral careSkin and faceSoapmakingSun and protectionEverything we have written →
Learn
Beekeeping100Hot sauce making90Jam and preserves96Pickles and ferments64Sauces and condiments36Syrups36Oils and vinegars34Nut butters and spreads33Dairy and alternatives33Coffee and tea36Confection31Resin and casting27Supplement liquids23Laboratory17Dispensing13Photography and darkroom14Industrial chemical14Prepared and deli15Body care14Color cosmetics13Bath14Pet health15Toiletry decanting14Oral care14Capsules and tablets14Nail14Fragrance15Deodorant17Beverages14Hospitality14Miniature painting15Shop consumables15Hair care15Resin jewelry15Pet and veterinary15Classroom and home lab14Marine14Camping and backpacking14Refill and zero waste14Field sampling14Diagnostics and lab14Model parts and paint14Emergency food and water14Jewelry metalwork14Fly tying14Cycling and climbing13Instrument care13Archery13Favors and gifts12Small parts storage12Stones and beads12Personal small items12Fishing tackle12Trains and dioramas12Automotive small parts12Cutting and abrasive12Furniture and cabinet hardware12Quilting12Knit and crochet12Embroidery12Sewing notions12Keys and security parts12Plumbing small parts12Fasteners12Electrical small parts12Small collectibles12Fire and light12Leftovers and meal prep12Home bulk and dry goods12Home coffee, tea and spice12Home preserving12Refill and concentrate12Travel medication and supplement12Preparedness medical and hygiene12Specialty supplements12Pet grooming12Aromatherapy12Pet food and treats13Compounding12Gummies and chews12Cider and mead12Beer12Cannabis topicals12Vape12Cannabis tinctures12Adjacent botanicals13Concentrates and flower12Cannabis edibles13Hazmat packaging11Reloading and shooting13Beach and field finds15Wine15Soap and candle supply17Numismatic and philatelic15Air and fabric20Animal and apiary19Growing inputs20Spirits20Laundry20Adhesive and finish20Grooming20Fossils16Janitorial16Baking and dry goods16Seed storage17Specimens16Paint and ink18Automotive fluids18Wax melts17Diffusers17Detailing15Sun and protection18Dish and hand16Soapmaking91Candle making93Beverages92Cleaning products92Lip care89Minerals and rocks93Powders91Skin and face91Spices and seasoning91Findings and components16
All 2,885 pages we have written →
Spices and seasoning
All Containers›Shop by use case›Spices and seasoning›From whole to jar›Labeling the jarShop all spices and seasoning →
From whole to jar

Labeling the jar

By Dwight Davis, Founder

Updated

On this page5

Spice labeling has one rule that catches almost every new producer, and it exists because three of a common spices are legally two things at once.

The rule nobody knows

Paprika, turmeric and saffron are colors as well as spices. Where they are used in a product, they must be declared as "spice and coloring" unless they are declared by their own common or usual name.

So naming them outright is not merely good practice, it is the thing that keeps you out of the clause. A blend listing "paprika" is fine. A blend listing "spices" while containing paprika is not.

This is a missed requirement in the category and it is one sentence.

What every jar must carry

A statement of identity, a net quantity of contents on the principal display panel, an ingredient list where there is more than one ingredient, and the name and place of business of the manufacturer, packer or distributor. Allergen declaration where any is present.

The net quantity is a weight for spice, not a volume, and it belongs on the front panel rather than tucked around the side.

Ingredient naming in a blend

Descending order of predominance by weight. Spice, natural flavor and artificial flavor may be declared collectively as "spice", "natural flavor" or "artificial flavor", which is a genuine convenience and the reason the color rule above exists as an exception to it.

The practical position: name your components. The collective terms protect a formula, and for a small maker the formula is rarely the asset the transparency is.

Where the claims get you

Organic is a certification, not an adjective, and it is unavailable if the material was treated with ethylene oxide. Irradiated ingredients carry disclosure obligations. "Fresh ground" invites a question about when.

Every one of those is decided by information the supplier holds and you do not, unless you asked. Which is why treatment method belongs in the purchase conversation rather than the label design conversation.

References

US Food and Drug Administration. Food Labeling Guide. fda.gov
21 CFR 101.7, Declaration of net quantity of contents. ecfr.gov
21 CFR 101.22, Foods; labeling of spices, flavorings, colorings and chemical preservatives. ecfr.gov
Written from published specification and peer-reviewed work, not from a laboratory of our own. Your supplier's certificate of analysis, your own moisture readings and your state's rules override anything general said here.