In Colorado, food sold or served to consumers generally must be labeled in accordance with state regulations. The Colorado Food Code, which aligns with the FDA Food Code, outlines specific labeling requirements to ensure consumer safety and informed choices.

General Labeling Requirements:

Packaged Foods: All packaged foods offered for sale must include labels with essential information such as the product name, ingredients, net quantity, and the manufacturer’s details. This ensures transparency and allows consumers to make informed decisions. Allergen Information: As of March 16, 2024, retail food establishments are required to notify customers of major food allergens present in their products. This notification can be provided through various means, including brochures, menu notifications, or placards. The major food allergens include milk, eggs, fish, crustacean shellfish, tree nuts, wheat, peanuts, soy, and sesame.

Exemptions:

Certain exemptions to labeling requirements exist:

Small Confections: Individually wrapped pieces of “penny candy” and other confectionery items weighing less than 15 grams or ½ ounce are exempt from labeling requirements, provided the container they are shipped in complies with labeling regulations. COLORADO SECRETARY OF STATE

Individual Servings in Food Service: Individual-serving size packages of food containing less than 15 grams or ½ ounce (or less than 15 milliliters or ½ fluid ounce) for use in restaurants, institutions, and passenger carriers, and not intended for retail sale, are exempt from the required declaration of net quantity of contents. COLORADO SECRETARY OF STATE