Food labeling for US protein bars

The short answer

Protein bars are FDA packaged foods with aggressive claims. You still need identity, net weight, ingredients, FALCPA names (milk proteins, soy, peanuts, tree nuts, wheat, egg whites), a Nutrition Facts panel that survives a “30 g protein” boast, and an address. A flashy wrapper is not an exemption.

Where this shows up in a real kitchen

Bars use whey (milk), soy isolate, peanut paste, almond butter, wheat crispies and sugar alcohols. Claims trigger extra scrutiny: high protein, low carb, keto. Added sugars and serving size (often one bar) have to match the boast.

The US rule

Part 101 + FALCPA + nutrient-content claim rules if you say “high protein”. Nutrition Facts current format. If a bar is a dietary supplement, different labeling (Supplement Facts) — most food bars should stay foods unless you mean to be a supplement.

How to apply it

Decide food vs supplement. List isolates by source (whey = milk). Declare peanut or almond. Set one-bar servings if that is how it is eaten. Make the protein claim only if the %DV math works. Watch sugar alcohols and “net carb” language — FDA does not give you a free-form net-carb panel.

1. Classify as food, not an accidental supplement.
2. Map proteins and pastes to milk, soy, peanut, egg, nuts.
3. Lock serving as the bar if people eat the bar.
4. Proof claims against the panel before printing foil.

Worked example

One 60 g peanut-butter whey bar: whey protein (milk), peanut paste, cocoa, soy lecithin, salt. Contains: milk, peanut, soy. Nutrition Facts for 1 bar. “30 g protein” only if that number is true for the bar, not for 100 g of powder in the recipe binder.

A “net carbs” table replacing Nutrition Facts

You can talk about carbs in marketing if it is truthful. You cannot throw away 101.9.

Questions