CPG Packaging Compliance Guide for Cosmetics, Food, and Supplements
CPG packaging compliance differs by category: cosmetics follow FDA labeling rules, food packaging must meet FDA food-contact standards, and supplements require Supplement Facts panels under 21 CFR 101.36 plus child-resistant caps for certain ingredients like high-dose iron. This guide consolidates the packaging rules startups need across all three verticals.
Note: this is general information to help you ask the right questions, not legal or regulatory advice. Confirm specifics for your product with a qualified regulatory consultant.
Cosmetic packaging compliance
- Label must show product identity, net quantity of contents, ingredient declaration, and the name and place of business of the responsible party.
- Labeling must not be false or misleading.
- MoCRA expanded facility registration, product listing, and safety-substantiation expectations for cosmetics.
- If your product makes a drug claim (for example SPF or acne treatment), OTC drug labeling rules also apply, including a Drug Facts panel.
Food & beverage packaging compliance
- Packaging that contacts food must meet FDA food-contact safety requirements for the materials used.
- Packaged food labels need the standard panels: Nutrition Facts, ingredient list, allergen declaration, and net quantity.
- Claims (organic, non-GMO, gluten-free) carry their own substantiation and, in some cases, certification requirements.
Supplement packaging compliance (Supplement Facts, CPSC, tamper-evident)
- Dietary supplements require a Supplement Facts panel under 21 CFR 101.36, plus an ingredient statement, net quantity, and manufacturer or distributor information.
- Structure/function claims require the standard FDA disclaimer.
- Tamper-evident features are a standard consumer-safety expectation.
- Child-resistant closures are required for certain ingredients (see below).
Child-resistant packaging: when it's required
The Poison Prevention Packaging Act, enforced by the CPSC, requires child-resistant packaging for specified substances. The most common trigger for supplement founders is iron: products containing iron above defined thresholds generally require child-resistant packaging. Some OTC drugs and household products are covered as well. Confirm your specific formula, because the requirement is ingredient- and dose-specific.
Compliance checklist before you print artwork
- Confirm your category (cosmetic, food, supplement, or OTC drug) and the panels each requires.
- Verify food-contact suitability of the material for food and beverage.
- Decide on child-resistant and tamper-evident features based on your formula.
- Lock the net-quantity statement and required disclaimers.
- Confirm the label size and finish fit the actual container by sampling first.
- Have a regulatory reviewer check artwork before the print run.
Frequently asked questions
Some do. Child-resistant packaging is required under the Poison Prevention Packaging Act for certain substances, most notably supplements with iron above defined thresholds. Check your formula against CPSC requirements.
Serving size, servings per container, each dietary ingredient with amount and percent Daily Value where established, plus a separate ingredient statement, net quantity, and manufacturer or distributor information.
Labels must include product identity, net quantity, ingredient declaration, and responsible-party information, and must not be misleading. MoCRA added facility and safety-substantiation expectations. SPF and similar claims add OTC drug rules.
Get the container right first.
Sample the exact bottle, jar, or pouch for $2.99 before you print artwork.
Last updated July 2026. General information, not legal or regulatory advice.