The Business of the Bag: Navigating Labels, Barcodes, and More

Between national and local regulations, creating packaging that’s both eye-catching and compliant can feel like a high-wire act that’s crucial to get right. The FDA mandates that your product identity (“whole bean coffee”) be on the principal display panel, while your business name and address can chill on the back. You also need to include the net quantity of contents in both U.S. and metric units, such as ounces and grams. Even barcodes have color requirements (black and white are safest).

When in doubt, a professional designer can help you navigate the regulatory waters smoothly and find the perfect blend of fanciful and functional, or you can dive into the Fair Packaging and Labeling Act at ECFR.gov for specific rules and regulations.

Cottage food laws allow coffee roasters to get their feet wet in the market without having to risk steep investments in equipment at the outset—but it’s best not to assume anything. Before pouring time and money into any business venture, check your state’s cottage food law as well as federal regulations to learn what’s allowed and what’s not. Your state might set a cap on annual earnings, have labeling requirements, or not allow you to sell beans online.

With fewer regulations and a lower start-up cost, a small coffee-roasting venture is the ideal time to test the market, refine roasting techniques, and build a customer base without the pressure of substantial debt or overhead costs.

If your coffee isn’t just 100% beans, the FDA has some extra hoops for you to jump through: think flavored blends, canned cold brews, and lattes. These delightful concoctions require ingredient lists on their packaging. So, if you’re adding a splash of vanilla or a hint of hazelnut, make sure to list those ingredients to keep everything above board and consumer friendly. Use a font that’s easy to read and easily understood by the consumer.

Small roasters often believe they need a nutrition facts panel for flavored coffee. Spoiler alert: you may not! It can be tricky to list out every ingredient used in flavoring due to looser regulations around flavor additives. Just remember, sticking to the basics keeps you compliant and simplifies your packaging process — a win-win! Just to be sure, here is a list of the FDA requirements around flavor additives - take a quick read to ensure whether or not your additives need to be labeled.

Not every bag o’ beans needs a barcode. If you’re roasting in your garage or selling at a local farmer’s market, a barcode might be overkill since cash transactions don’t typically require scanning. There’s also a cost to obtain one and keep it active. However, if you’re eyeing retail shelves or selling on platforms like Amazon, a barcode can track your sales data and integrate seamlessly with inventory software. Essentially, if you’re scaling up, barcodes are your best friend.

So, you’ve decided your coffee product needs a barcode. You’re in luck: Obtaining a GS1 barcode is a straightforward process. GS1 is the organization responsible for many barcodes worldwide and its barcodes are the most widely accepted. To get started, visit the GS1 website. You’ll just need to pay an annual renewal fee to keep the barcode active.

Each variation of an item you sell needs its own unique code. While this can seem like a drag, it’s actually hugely helpful for inventory management! Filling in your product line and adjusting for multiple SKUs is a breeze once you get the hang of it. The good news is there’s not much difference between barcode types for coffee products. In short, one size (usually) fits all.

Keep an eye out for QR codes — they’re becoming increasingly popular. These nifty little squares can link to your website or provide more info about your coffee. They’ve even been used to allow customers to tip the green bean farmer! Also consider adding a roast date instead of an expiration, date to your packaging. It’s practical for traceability and lets your customers know they’re getting fresh coffee. Not sure how to create one? Check out Canva's free and easy QR code generator.

Navigating the logistics of FDA requirements, barcodes, and other packaging essentials might seem daunting, but with the right knowledge and tools, you’ll be a pro in no time. Whether you’re just starting out or looking to scale up, Roastar is here to help you every step of the way. All of our packaging is food safe (which is one less thing to worry about). Now, let’s get those beans bagged and on the shelves, ready to delight coffee lovers everywhere!

Stay tuned for more tips and tricks, and happy roasting!