Final answer:
The 5 main required components on US food labels are the Statement of Identity, Net Contents, Information of Food Manufacturer, Ingredients List, and Nutritional Information (Nutrition Facts Panel). Other details like health claims and best before dates may also be present but are not among the main required components.
Step-by-step explanation:
In the United States, certain components are mandated by law on food labels of packaged goods. These mandatory components serve to inform consumers about the contents and nutritional value of the food they are purchasing. The five main components that are required on US food labels are:
- Statement of Identity: This is the name of the food product, which describes its nature.
- Net Contents: The amount of food in the package is listed by weight, volume, or count.
- Information of Food Manufacturer: Contact information of the manufacturer or distributor is listed for consumer inquiries or reporting issues.
- Ingredients List: All ingredients must be listed in descending order by weight, with the most prominent ingredients listed first.
- Nutritional Information (Nutrition Facts Panel): This provides information on nutrients such as calories, fats, carbohydrates, proteins, vitamins, and minerals per serving size.
Some other information that might be included on US food labels, but are not among the main required components, includes the health claims, date food was packaged, and location of food production and processing. The 'Best Before Date' is an additional component that can be included to indicate the freshness or shelf life of the product.