Printing food-safe labels isn’t just about great design—it’s about ensuring the materials, inks, and adhesives used are safe for human health. Labels used in food packaging must meet strict FDA guidelines, particularly when they’re in direct or indirect contact with food products.

At DuraFast Label Company, we understand the stakes. Our mission is to help businesses produce reliable, compliant, and high-quality food packaging with confidence. In this blog, we’ll walk you through everything you need to know about printing food-safe labels—from understanding FDA compliance to selecting the right printers and label materials for the job.

What Are FDA-Compliant Labels?

The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) plays a critical role in ensuring the safety of substances that come into contact with food, including those used in labeling and packaging. Under Title 21 of the Code of Federal Regulations, the FDA outlines stringent guidelines that manufacturers must follow to ensure consumer protection. Substances involved in food packaging and labeling are generally classified into two categories: direct food contact and indirect food contact. Direct food contact refers to any label, adhesive, or ink that physically touches the surface of the food. This can include produce stickers, deli meat wraps, or bakery packaging where the label might come into immediate contact with the food itself. Indirect food contact, on the other hand, refers to labels that are applied to packaging materials, such as jars, boxes, or bags, which do not directly touch the edible contents but may be in close proximity during transport and storage.

For a label to be considered FDA-compliant, all of its components—including the facestock (the surface material), the adhesive backing, and the printing ink—must meet safety standards for the intended type of contact. Businesses that do not adhere to these guidelines risk serious consequences, including product recalls, regulatory penalties, legal liabilities, and most importantly, putting consumer health at risk. Ensuring compliance with FDA regulations is not just a legal obligation but a critical part of maintaining product integrity and brand trust in the competitive food industry.

Choosing FDA-Approved Label Materials

1. Facestock

Facestock is the surface layer of a label that holds the ink. Materials like polypropylene, polyester, and select-coated papers are often used for food-safe applications. We offer both premium topcoated direct thermal labels and non-topcoated direct thermal labels depending on your specific use case and printer compatibility.

2. Adhesives

The adhesive must also be safe for the label's intended use. For direct contact labels (such as those on fruits), pressure-sensitive adhesives must be compliant with 21 CFR 175.125. We ensure our custom thermal transfer labels meet these standards for safety and performance.

Inks That Are Safe for Food Packaging

When printing food labels, the type of ink used is just as critical as the label stock.

Water-Based Inks

Ideal for indirect contact labels, water-based inks are low in VOCs and safe for food packaging exteriors. They're widely used for blank inkjet labels and other general-purpose printing tasks.

UV-Curable Inks

UV inks are cured instantly with ultraviolet light, producing highly durable prints. While excellent for long-term use, these should only be used on indirect contact surfaces unless verified to be fully cured and FDA-approved.

Edible Inks

Used in very specific applications (such as printing directly on baked goods or candies), edible inks are made entirely of food-safe materials. We don't currently sell edible ink systems, but we can help guide you to appropriate solutions if needed.

Printers That Support Food-Safe Labeling

Your label printer must also be compatible with the materials and inks suitable for food packaging.

Here are some food-industry favourites we offer:

• Primera LX500C Color Label Printer with Cutter– Ideal for small batches of colourful, waterproof labels. Great for direct food packaging like jars, pouches, and boxed products.
• Afinia L502 Colour Printer – Dye– Compatible with water-based inks, suitable for printing on a variety of blank inkjet labels for sale.

If you're just getting started, we also recommend exploring our high-quality colour label printers to find one that suits your volume and application needs.

Best Practices for FDA-Compliant Food Labeling

1. Determine the Level of Contact

Not all labels need to be direct-contact approved. For example, labels placed on shrink sleeves or outer packaging require a different level of compliance than those touching the food directly.

2. Conduct Migration Testing

Always validate that no harmful substances migrate from the label into the food. This is particularly important when using UV inks or less common adhesives.

3. Use Functional Barriers

If your label cannot be made from direct-contact-safe materials, consider using a functional barrier—such as a plastic film or secondary layer—between the food and the label.

4. Document Everything

Maintain clear documentation of every material and process used in your label production, including:

• Ink certificates of compliance
• Facestock specifications
• Adhesive MSDS sheets

Our team at DuraFast Label Company can help you gather these documents when you order food-grade materials.

Supplies & Accessories for Labeling Food Products

For businesses seeking a complete food labeling solution, we provide a comprehensive range of printing supplies and accessories designed to support efficient operations across various food-related industries. From retail food packaging to mobile setups like food trucks and farmer’s markets, our products are built to meet diverse labeling and printing needs.

We offer high-quality ink cartridges and toners specifically made for label printers, helping businesses keep their equipment running smoothly with minimal downtime. This ensures consistent and professional label output, which is essential for maintaining brand quality and meeting regulatory requirements.

For those in need of a compact and portable labeling solution, we supply some of the best portable label makers ideal for home use. These are perfect for small-scale food producers, test kitchens, and market vendors who require reliable performance in limited spaces. Their ease of use and portability make them a practical choice for on-the-go labeling.

To enhance productivity in larger operations, we also offer label counter machines. These devices automate the labeling process and help track production output with precision, making them valuable for businesses that need to scale while maintaining consistency.

In addition, we support food service businesses such as food trucks and cafés with an online selection of POS receipt printers. These printers are essential for smooth sales transactions and integrate easily into most point-of-sale systems.

How We Support Your Labeling Success

As an experienced and trusted supplier of label printers and related supplies, we are committed to supporting food businesses throughout their packaging journey. With a strong focus on food-safe applications and efficient labeling solutions, we provide everything needed to help businesses succeed in a competitive market.

One of the key ways we support our customers is through personalized consulting services. Our team of experts assists clients in selecting the right combination of printers, labels, and inks that meet food safety standards and match specific operational requirements. This tailored guidance ensures that businesses can invest with confidence and avoid costly trial and error.

We also maintain a wide inventory of essential labeling products. Whether customers are looking for thermal transfer labels for durable packaging, laser sheet labels for office printers, or barcode scanners to improve inventory tracking and compliance, DuraFast offers a one-stop solution. Our expansive product selection makes it easy for food businesses to find exactly what they need without shopping around from multiple vendors.

In addition to hardware and supplies, we provide powerful software options to further simplify and enhance the labeling process. From advanced label design software to barcode printing software, these tools help streamline the creation of compliant, high-quality labels tailored to various food packaging requirements.

Final Thoughts: Start Labeling Smarter, Safer, and Faster

 

Printing food-safe labels doesn’t have to be complicated. With the right FDA-compliant materials, printers, and processes, your business can meet health and safety standards while delivering beautiful, professional packaging.

At DuraFast Label Company, we bring together everything you need to succeed—from high-quality colour label printers to adhesives and inks that meet regulatory standards. Whether you're printing for a family-run jam company or a large food distributor, our team is ready to help you find the best solution.

When you're ready to purchase colour label printers online, we're here to help you label with confidence.