labels Nutritional Info for Hot Sauce Labels

SmokenFire

SmokenFire

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So I am wondering where/how you pro guys obtained nutrionals for your labels.  Did you have to retain the services of a registered dietitian?  Did you use some online calculator?   
 
I have been working on some labels and the final steps are barcodes and nutritionals.  I found the barcode thread already but can't find any info on nutritionals - help please :)
 
Thanks
SnF
 
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Just so you know-
it is NOT REQUIRED by the FDA to have a NIP if you are selling less than (20,000? I think) units a year.  You do have to file an exemption and renew it yearly (for free). 
 
Having said that, some distributors or larger grocery store chains may not take the product without a NIP.  Many don't know that you can legally sell food products without a NIP. 
 
Whether or not you include a NIP now or later, I'd encourage you to go for the smalles run of labels that's reasonable knowing you will want to make changes and tweak things after the labels have been out for a while.  You can always add a NIP later.
 
I used to have a couple Free Sample things from websites selling programs,, but it looks like they are no longer selling or whatever.  If you feel like doing a little work (it's not that difficult, really..) the NZ/Australia food standards site has a really good Nutr panel calculator.
 http://www.foodstandards.gov.au/industry/npc/Pages/Nutrition-Panel-Calculator-introduction.aspx
 
It's easy to use, all my recipes are in grams anyways, the only thing is when you're done, you have to convert Jules to calories.   Oh Look, there's a calculator for that also!  :lol:
http://www.webstation.com.au/extras/calories_kilojoules-converter.htm
 
Once you have a file on there, your recipes are stored so you can make adjustments later if the recipe changes. 
 
Here's  downloadable NIP templates-
http://www.claytowne.com/beats-digging-ditches/how-to-make-a-nutrition-label-for-a-package-download-free-nutrition-label-samples/
 
 
 
Some co-packers can supply the service, there are a ton of nutirtionist online who can do it.  It's been a while since I researched it, so I don't know what programs are out there.  It seems at the time I was looking, there were a few in the $400-$500 range.
 
Post back if you find something or someone that seems like a good deal.
SL
PS- this thread just reminded me I didn't renew last fall.  OOPS!  No worries, it's all done now~
 
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Wicked Pepper said:
I filed the small business exemption this past year. You have to have under 100 employees and sell less than 100,000 units in a 12 year period.
Click to expand...
12 year or 12 month?
 
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You might try local college or university agricultural departments -- I got my analysis done free from an extension of the University Of Minnesota. It was quick and easy -- I mailed three sample bottles to their lab and I got the results back in about 10 days.
 
In particular, this was part of a publicly-subsidized program to assist small businesses in the state. In other words, my tax dollars at work for my hot sauce small business! But it doesn't hurt to try just checking with those college departments -- that's also how I found my process authority and she turned out to be my instructor for the acidified food course I took a couple years back.  
 
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One call out for the people that use the US rule of a an FDA label not being required (because you are small batch sales).  This does NOT hold true if you are exporting your sauce internationally - that includes Canada and Mexico.  Also there are USDA and Department of Agriculture requirements state-by-state that may actually require you to have it depending where you manufacture (Regional Dept. of Ag  always seems to trump Federal regulations). So you need to know where you are selling & what the regulations are.

For me, even though I am technically a small batch maker, I adhere to FDA and local standards so that I can safely export my sauce to both international and regional buyers without issue.  I have found that the international labeling laws are often more strict than the US, but you'll find our FDA guidelines will actually meet the minimum requirements in most cases.
 
One exception to this is the new global focus on Genetically Engineered strains, and a labeling requirement around them
http://www.centerforfoodsafety.org/ge-map/

Sauces that may contain GE crop varieties must be labeled.  For instance, the Naga Viper Pepper is actually considered a GE strain due to it being a forced Zygote crossing of the Bhut Jolokia, the Naga Morich, and the Trinidad Scorpion. There have been stories of customs retaining, or rejecting shipments for these reasons. You'll find that most of the exotic pepper strains are now considered GE crops overseas.
 
Since I have labeled correctly, my shipments total delayed time through Customs when mailing/shipping my sauce internationally is less than 24 hours. When I started (sans-FDA label) it was 4 days. Other suppliers I've spoken with tell me it can take up for a week to clear if not labeled (which can be frustrating to buyers)
 
So, that being said... always opt on proper labeling - as you never know where your buyers will come from. Example -- here is a map of where my sauce has been sold - and I am just a small internet supplier of a single sauce type:  http://hotmaple.com/blogs/news/17970456-loved-all-over-the-world-hotmaple-fans-are-diverse-and-varied
 
All that being said --- I recommend these guys for any and all testing: https://rlfoodtestinglaboratory.com  they have a fixed price of $175 , and a fast turn around time.
 
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personally I wouldn't see any product without one as serious.  the FDA can provide you the template or the co-packer can give you one, in tall or wide format.  If you plan on selling to stores or want to look professional I would suggest having one in some shape or form... the same would be like seem like not using a upc code.  sure these cost money (upc) but if you want to plan ahead, get it now.
 
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Wicked Pepper said:
Came across this site that calculates and gives nutritional labels for free.
https://www.recipal.com 
Click to expand...
 
OK - Updating this thread.  
 
WP the link you provided does indeed create custom nute labels.  Very excellent resource, and I thank you for it.  :)
 
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