When it comes to energy-boosting beverages, understanding label requirements is key for both compliance and consumer safety. What’s the difference—and what’s required on your labels?

How should you classify your product?

One important decision for energy product manufacturers is whether to label their offerings as energy shots or drinks.

Energy shots, often marketed as concentrated doses of “energy,” typically contain higher levels of caffeine than their drink counterparts. As a result, they often fall under the purview of the Dietary Supplement Health and Education Act (DSHEA). Labeling energy products as shots requires compliance with DSHEA regulations, including the inclusion of a Supplement Facts panel.

On the other hand, labeling products as energy drinks places them within the realm of FDA regulations for food and beverages. While these regulations require similar components such as ingredient lists and Nutrition Facts panels, energy drinks may also need to adhere to additional guidelines set forth by industry associations like the American Beverage Association (ABA). These guidelines often recommend extra precautions due to the potentially high caffeine content and stimulant nature of energy drinks, such as specifying caffeine amounts per serving and issuing warnings for sensitive populations.

Energy drink labels

Businesses should always do their own research to ensure compliance with current regulations. Here are some key label components for energy drinks:

• Ingredient list: Energy drink labels must include a comprehensive list of ingredients used in the product.
• Allergen declaration: When applicable, energy drink labels must declare the presence of common allergens such as nuts, dairy, soy or wheat.
• Nutrition Facts panel: Similar to other food and beverage products, energy drinks must feature a Nutrition Facts panel. This panel provides detailed information about the product’s nutritional content, including calories, macronutrients (such as carbohydrates, proteins and fats) and micronutrients (such as vitamins and minerals).
• Caffeine content: Given the high caffeine levels often found in energy drinks, the FDA recommends including the amount of caffeine per serving or per package on the label.
• Warnings: Energy drink labels should include warnings cautioning against consumption by individuals sensitive to caffeine, pregnant or breastfeeding women and children.
• Marketing policies: Labels should indicate compliance with industry marketing policies, particularly regarding advertising directed at children.
• Product type: Clear labeling should differentiate energy drinks from dietary supplements.
• Avoidance of misleading claims: Energy drink labels should refrain from making misleading claims, such as suggesting benefits related to alcohol consumption or promoting excessive consumption.

Energy shot requirements

Here are key label components for energy shots:

• Supplement Facts panel: Energy shot labels must prominently display a Supplement Facts panel, providing detailed information about the product’s nutritional content and ingredients.
• Ingredient list: Similar to energy drinks, energy shot labels must feature a comprehensive list of ingredients used in the product.
• Caffeine content: Given the concentrated nature of energy shots, manufacturers must disclose the caffeine content per serving on the label.
• Warnings and directions: Labels should include clear warnings and directions for use, cautioning against excessive consumption and advising consumers on proper dosage and usage frequency.
• Manufacturer information: Energy shot labels must provide contact information for the manufacturer or distributor.
• Avoidance of misleading claims: Labels should refrain from making unsubstantiated or misleading claims about the product’s efficacy or health benefits.

Find the right labeling system with Quadrel

Once you’ve appropriately classified your product and have created your compliant labels, you’ll need an efficient labeling system. Quadrel’s high-quality machines are designed to accurately and efficiently label all of your product lines—reach out to our team to learn which system is best for your needs.