Snacks
How to label trail mix to sell
Trail mix packs more allergen declarations per bag than almost any cottage product: every nut species must be named, chocolate pieces bring milk and soy along, and sulfited dried fruit needs its own declaration.
What trail mix labels get wrong
- Each tree nut species gets named: “Contains: Tree Nuts (Almonds, Cashews),” with peanuts declared separately because peanuts are their own Big-9 allergen.
- Chocolate pieces bring two more allergens, milk (milkfat) and soy (soy lecithin), and their full sub-ingredient list belongs in parentheses.
- Dried fruit often carries added sugar and sulfites. Sulfites at 10 ppm or more must be declared even though they are not a Big-9 allergen.
- Ingredient order for a mix follows the total weight of each component in the batch, so the list may start with peanuts even when the almonds look more prominent in the bag.
Serving size
Trail mix uses a 40 g RACC, about 40 g (a small handful). See the RACC lookup for how the FDA sets serving sizes.
Make your trail mix 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.
Trail Mix labeling FAQ
Do I need a nutrition label to sell trail mix?
Generally no for small direct cottage sales without claims; the ingredient list with sub-ingredients, a complete Contains statement, net weight, and your state's disclosure carry the bag. Moving into shops or subscription boxes, or adding a claim like “high protein,” usually makes the full panel mandatory.
How do I write the allergen statement for trail mix?
List each one: “Contains: Peanuts, Tree Nuts (Almonds, Cashews), Milk, Soy.” Tree nut species must be named individually, and milk and soy come in with the chocolate pieces. If your dried fruit is sulfited, declare it in the ingredient list too, for example “Golden Raisins (Raisins, Sulfur Dioxide).”
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
- Hard Candy
- Chocolate Bark
- Candied Nuts
- Popcorn
- Honey
- Maple Syrup
- Spice Blends
- BBQ Sauce
- Pickles
- State label rules →
Verify before selling
Product rules vary by state (especially for trail mix) 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.