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Labels are not optional. Every packaged food product sold in Puerto Rico must carry a proper label before any sale — at a farmers market booth, through an online order, or to a retailer. An unlabeled product cannot legally be sold. The good news: Puerto Rico sellers have a significant advantage that most US state sellers don't — food sold solely within Puerto Rico may be labeled entirely in Spanish, without an English translation required.
Required Elements
What Must Appear on Every Label
Puerto Rico's food labeling requirements draw from FDA's standard food labeling rules (21 CFR Parts 101–105), with the important exception that foods sold solely within Puerto Rico are exempt from the English-language requirement under FDA Compliance Policy Guide Sec. 562.750. The following elements are required on every packaged food product sold to consumers in Puerto Rico.
1
Product Name / Statement of Identity Required
A clear, descriptive name for the product that identifies what it is. This must appear prominently on the principal display panel (the front of the package that faces the buyer at point of sale).
Examples: "Guava Jam," "Hot Sauce," "Adobo Spice Blend," "Hibiscus Tea" — not just "Jam" or "Sauce"
2
Net Weight or Net Volume Required
The weight or volume of the product, excluding packaging. Must appear on the lower 30% of the principal display panel. Solid and semi-solid foods use weight (oz/g); liquids use volume (fl oz/mL). Both metric and US customary units are recommended for products that may cross into the US mainland market.
Examples: "Net Wt. 8 oz (227g)" / "Net 12 fl oz (355 mL)"
3
Ingredient List Required
All ingredients must be listed in descending order by weight — the ingredient present in the greatest amount listed first. Each ingredient must be identified by its common name. Sub-ingredients of a compound ingredient must also be listed (e.g., if your product contains "sofrito," the ingredients of that sofrito must be listed).
Example: "Ingredientes: Azúcar, Guayaba, Jugo de Limón, Pectina" or "Ingredients: Sugar, Guava, Lemon Juice, Pectin"
4
Allergen Disclosure Required
The nine major food allergens recognized by FDA must be clearly identified when present. This applies even when an allergen ingredient is already listed in the ingredient list. Use "Contains: [allergen]" statement immediately after the ingredient list, or bold the allergen name within the ingredient list itself.
Example: "Contains: Peanuts, Tree Nuts, Wheat" or bold peanuts/tree nuts/wheat within ingredient list
5
Seller Name & Address Required
The name and address of the person or business responsible for the product. This is the home food seller or their business. For privacy, the address can be limited to city, municipality, and ZIP code if the business is listed in a public directory. Full street address is the safest option.
Example: "Dulces La Isla, San Juan, PR 00901" or "María García, Arecibo, PR 00612"
6
Home Kitchen Disclaimer If Required — Verify
If a home food seller exemption exists in Puerto Rico, it will almost certainly require a disclaimer stating that the product was produced in a home kitchen. The exact wording must be confirmed with the Puerto Rico Department of Health. The standard language used in most US states is provided in the disclaimer section below as reference.
[VERIFY] required disclaimer text with PR Department of Health at (787) 765-2929
7
Storage Instructions Required for TCS / Recommended for all
For any product that requires refrigeration (TCS), storage instructions are mandatory. For shelf-stable products, "Store in a cool, dry place" is strongly recommended — especially important in Puerto Rico's warm and humid climate. TCS products must clearly state "Refrigerate" or "Keep Refrigerated."
Examples: "Keep Refrigerated" / "Mantener Refrigerado" / "Store in a cool, dry place"
8
Best By / Use By Date Required for TCS / Recommended for shelf-stable
TCS products require a use-by date for food safety. For shelf-stable products, a "best by" date is strongly recommended — it protects your reputation and gives buyers confidence. In Puerto Rico's heat, shelf life may be shorter than in cooler climates; test your product under local conditions before setting a date.
Examples: "Best By: 12/15/2026" / "Use By: See lid" / "Fecha de vencimiento: 15/12/2026"
9
Nutrition Facts Panel Recommended — Exemption May Apply
FDA requires nutrition facts panels on most packaged foods. However, small businesses with fewer than 100 full-time employees producing fewer than 100,000 units per year may qualify for the Small Business Nutrition Labeling Exemption. Most home food sellers fall comfortably within this exemption. Even if exempt, including a simplified nutrition panel builds consumer trust.
If exempt, you may use: "Nutritional information not required for small business" — or simply omit the panel
Sample Label — Guava Jam
Mermelada de Guayaba
Guava Jam · Small Batch
Ingredientes /
Guayaba, Azúcar, Jugo de Limón, Pectina
Descending order by weight ✓
Hecho por /
Dulces La Isla
San Juan, PR 00901
Name & address of seller ✓
Conservar /
Store in a cool, dry place. Refrigerate after opening.
Mejor antes de /
See lid
⚠ Este producto fue elaborado en una cocina residencial no sujeta a inspección pública de salud.
[VERIFY exact wording with PR Dept. of Health]
✓ No major allergens present in this product
This is a sample label for illustration only.
Always verify requirements with PR Dept. of Health.
Puerto Rico Advantage
You Can Label Entirely in Spanish
This is one of the most significant labeling advantages Puerto Rico sellers have over sellers in every US state. Under FDA Compliance Policy Guide Sec. 562.750, food products distributed solely within Puerto Rico are exempt from the English-language labeling requirement. Your labels can be 100% in Spanish — the product name, ingredient list, allergen statement, storage instructions, and everything else.
If you plan to sell or ship to the US mainland, English labeling (or bilingual labeling) will be required for those sales. Many Puerto Rico sellers use bilingual labels from the start for maximum flexibility. But for in-island sales only, Spanish is perfectly legal and often preferred by local buyers.
English version
"Ingredients: Sugar, Guava, Lemon Juice, Pectin
Contains: No major allergens
Made in a home kitchen not subject to public health inspection.
Store in a cool, dry place."
Spanish version (PR only — fully permitted)
"Ingredientes: Azúcar, Guayaba, Jugo de Limón, Pectina
No contiene alérgenos principales.
Elaborado en una cocina residencial no sujeta a inspección pública.
Guardar en lugar fresco y seco."
⚠️ Home Kitchen Disclaimer — Reference Language
Exact wording must be confirmed with the Puerto Rico Department of Health · [VERIFY] before printing labels
English reference: "This product was produced in a home kitchen that is not inspected by the state or local health department."
Spanish reference (common format): "Este producto fue elaborado en una cocina residencial que no está sujeta a inspección por el Departamento de Salud estatal o local."
⚠ This language is based on common cottage food disclaimer formats used across the US. Puerto Rico's specific required wording, if a cottage food exemption exists, must be confirmed directly with the Puerto Rico Department of Health at (787) 765-2929 or
salud.pr.gov before you print labels. Using incorrect or missing disclaimer language can put your license at risk.
Food Allergen Labeling
The 9 Major Allergens
Under FALCPA (Food Allergen Labeling and Consumer Protection Act) and the FASTER Act of 2021, nine foods are recognized as major allergens in the US and must be declared on food labels when present as an ingredient or as a component of another ingredient. This federal requirement applies to food sold in Puerto Rico.
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Peanuts
Maní / cacahuetes
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Tree Nuts
Almonds, cashews, pecans, walnuts, etc.
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Wheat
Trigo — includes all wheat-derived ingredients
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Milk
Leche — includes butter, cream, cheese
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Eggs
Huevos — all forms including dried egg
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Fish
Must specify species: salmon, tuna, cod, etc.
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Shellfish
Must specify: shrimp, lobster, crab, etc.
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Soy
Soya — includes tofu, soy lecithin, edamame
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Sesame
Added by FASTER Act (2023) — tahini, sesame oil, seeds
How to Format Your Allergen Statement
Bold within ingredients: "Ingredients: Flour (Wheat), Sugar, Eggs, Butter (Milk), Vanilla Extract" — bold all allergens within the list
"Contains" statement: Place immediately after the ingredient list — "Contains: Wheat, Eggs, Milk" — no bold required within the list itself
May contain advisory (optional): "May contain traces of Tree Nuts" — use only if cross-contamination is a genuine risk in your kitchen; do not use as a substitute for proper allergen labeling
In Spanish: "Contiene: Trigo, Huevos, Leche" or "Puede contener trazas de: Nueces de árbol"
If no allergens: No statement required — but "Does not contain major allergens" / "No contiene alérgenos principales" is a helpful addition that builds buyer confidence
Measurement Standards
Net Weight & Volume Rules
⚖️ Solid & Semi-Solid Foods
Baked goods, jams, confections, dry goods, and most food products use weight declarations. Report in US customary units (ounces/pounds) and metric (grams/kilograms).
| Product Type | Example Declaration |
|---|
| Jams & preserves | Net Wt. 8 oz (227g) |
| Baked goods | Net Wt. 12 oz (340g) |
| Spice blends | Net Wt. 2 oz (57g) |
| Candy & confections | Net Wt. 4 oz (113g) |
| Granola | Net Wt. 1 lb (454g) |
💧 Liquid Products
Beverages, syrups, hot sauces, and liquid products use volume declarations. Report in fluid ounces and milliliters. If a liquid product is sold by weight (e.g., honey), use weight plus the word "net weight."
| Product Type | Example Declaration |
|---|
| Hot sauce | Net 5 fl oz (148 mL) |
| Syrup | Net 8 fl oz (237 mL) |
| Honey | Net Wt. 12 oz (340g) |
| Kombucha | Net 16 fl oz (473 mL) |
| Infused oil | Net 4 fl oz (118 mL) |
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Net weight placement rule: The net weight declaration must appear on the lower 30% of the principal display panel (the front face of your package). It cannot be tucked away on the back or bottom. Type size must be readable — the FDA specifies minimum type sizes based on the size of your label's principal display panel area. Use at least 1/16 inch (1.6mm) type height for most home food products.