Confections
How to label hard candy to sell
Hard candy has one of the smallest RACCs in the confection table, 15 g, so a serving is a few pieces rather than the bag, and a casual “sugar free” on the label turns a simple candy into a full Nutrition Facts project.
What hard candy labels get wrong
- At a 15 g RACC, a serving is about 3 pieces. A 4 oz bag holds roughly 7 servings, which surprises sellers pricing by the bag.
- Flavors and colors are declared by name and type: flavor oils as “Natural Flavor” or “Artificial Flavor” depending on source, and certified colors like Red 40 by name, never just “color added”.
- “Sugar free” is a regulated nutrient content claim. Printing it removes the small-business exemption and requires a full Nutrition Facts panel.
- Citric acid must appear in the ingredient list even at a few grams per batch. Tiny amounts are still ingredients.
Serving size
Hard candy uses a 15 g RACC, about 3 pieces. See the RACC lookup for how the FDA sets serving sizes.
Make your hard candy label
The free cottage label maker builds the ingredient statement (auto-ordered by weight), detects the Big-9 allergens, including the ones hiding in sub-ingredients, and adds your state's required home-kitchen disclosure. Scaling into retail? The nutrition label maker computes the FDA panel from the same recipe for $9.
Hard Candy labeling FAQ
Do I need a nutrition label to sell hard candy?
Usually not for cottage-scale direct sales, provided the label makes no claims. Keep the ingredient list, any allergen statement that applies, net weight, and your state disclosure. “Sugar free” on the label or a retail account changes the answer to yes.
Can I label my hard candy “sugar free”?
Only if it meets the FDA definition (less than 0.5 g of sugars per serving), and making the claim means the product needs a full Nutrition Facts panel. Sugar-free candies typically use sugar alcohols, which bring their own labeling lines.
More product labeling guides
- Banana Bread
- Cookies
- Sourdough Bread
- Jam & Preserves
- Salsa
- Granola
- Brownies
- Hot Sauce
- Muffins
- Cupcakes
- Cinnamon Rolls
- Scones
- Pies
- Cheesecake
- Granola Bars
- Fudge
- Caramels
- Chocolate Bark
- Candied Nuts
- Popcorn
- Honey
- Maple Syrup
- Spice Blends
- BBQ Sauce
- Pickles
- Trail Mix
- State label rules →
Verify before selling
Product rules vary by state (especially for hard candy) and change over time. Confirm with your state's program and official sources. Panelry is not affiliated with any government agency and does not provide legal advice. See our disclaimer.