Grocery Deli Allergen Label Verification Log

Daily verification that deli packaged items carry accurate allergen declarations, ingredient statements, and required label elements, with manager sign-off. Supports FDA Food Allergen Labeling and Consumer Protection Act (FALCPA) compliance and aligns with FDA Food Code 2022 allergen control requirements.

Pre-Verification Setup

• Inspector name and role
  Enter the full name and role of the person conducting today's allergen label verification.
• Verification date and shift
  Record the date and shift (e.g., Opening, Mid, Closing) for this log entry.
• Current allergen reference sheet (recipe/ingredient master list) is posted or accessible at the deli packaging station
  Verify that the up-to-date allergen reference document — listing all 9 major allergens per FALCPA (milk, eggs, fish, shellfish, tree nuts, peanuts, wheat, soybeans, sesame) — is available to packaging staff.
• Label printer is loaded with the correct, current label template version
  Confirm the label printer template has not been overridden or replaced with an outdated version. Check version number or date on a test print.

Allergen Declaration Accuracy

• All 9 FALCPA major allergens present in the product are declared on the label (milk, eggs, fish, shellfish, tree nuts, peanuts, wheat, soybeans, sesame)
  Cross-reference the product's recipe/ingredient master list against the printed label. Every allergen in the recipe must appear in the 'Contains:' statement or be identified within the ingredient list.
• Allergen 'Contains:' statement uses plain-language common names (e.g., 'milk' not 'casein', 'wheat' not 'triticum')
  FALCPA requires allergens to be declared using the common or usual name. Verify no technical or scientific names are used as the sole allergen identifier.
• No allergens are listed on the label that are NOT present in the product recipe (false declaration)
  A false allergen declaration can cause unnecessary product avoidance and erodes consumer trust. Confirm the 'Contains:' statement matches only allergens actually in the recipe.
• Number of distinct product SKUs/items verified today
  Record the total number of different deli product types whose labels were checked during this verification session.
• Any allergen discrepancies found — describe product name, allergen issue, and immediate corrective action taken
  If any label was found to have an incorrect, missing, or extra allergen declaration, document it here. Mislabeled product must be pulled from sale immediately.

Ingredient Statement and Label Content

• Ingredient list is present on all packaged deli items that contain more than one ingredient
  Per FDA Food Code 2022 §3-602.11, packaged foods must bear an ingredient statement. Single-ingredient items (e.g., sliced turkey breast with no additives) are exempt.
• Ingredients are listed in descending order of predominance by weight
  Spot-check at least 3 multi-ingredient products. The first ingredient listed should be the heaviest by weight in the recipe.
• Product name / common name is clearly displayed on the label
  The label must identify the product by its common or usual name (e.g., 'Chicken Caesar Pasta Salad', not just 'Deli Salad').
• Net weight or net quantity is printed on the label
  All packaged deli items must display net weight (e.g., '0.75 lb' or '340 g'). Verify the scale-printed weight is legible and present.
• Establishment name and address (or store identifier) is present on the label
  The name and place of business of the responsible party must appear on the label per FDA Food Code 2022 §3-602.11(B)(3).

Date Coding and Product Integrity

• Sell-by or use-by date is printed and legible on all packaged deli items
  Every packaged deli item must carry a clearly legible date code. Faded, smeared, or missing dates are a critical non-conformance.
• Date codes are consistent with today's preparation date and approved shelf-life chart
  Cross-check the printed sell-by date against the item's prep date and the department's approved shelf-life reference. Example: a product prepared today with a 3-day shelf life should show a sell-by date of today + 3 days.
• No expired or past sell-by items found in the deli case or on the packaging line
  Physically inspect the deli case and packaging staging area. Any expired product must be immediately removed from sale and documented.

Cross-Contact Risk and Packaging Controls

• Products with known cross-contact risk (e.g., shared slicer, shared prep surface) carry an appropriate advisory statement (e.g., 'May contain traces of...' or 'Processed in a facility that also handles...')
  Advisory/precautionary allergen labeling (PAL) is voluntary under FALCPA but is a best practice where cross-contact cannot be eliminated. Verify that department policy on PAL is being followed consistently.
• Packaging materials (bags, containers, wraps) are stored separately from allergen-containing ingredients to prevent label contamination or mix-up
  Packaging supplies must not be stored adjacent to open allergen-containing products. Verify storage separation is maintained.
• Label rolls or pre-printed labels for different products are clearly segregated and labeled to prevent wrong-label application
  Applying the wrong label to a product is a critical allergen mislabeling event. Verify that label rolls are stored in clearly marked, separate locations.

Manager Review and Sign-Off

• Total number of non-conformances identified during this verification
  Enter the total count of items that received a 'No' response or required corrective action during today's verification.
• All non-conformances have been corrected or a corrective action plan is documented before product is released for sale
  No product with an allergen labeling deficiency may remain on sale. Confirm all issues identified above have been resolved or are actively being corrected.
• Manager / PIC comments or observations
  Optional: Enter any additional observations, recurring issues, or follow-up actions required.
• Manager / PIC authorizing signature
  Department manager or designated Person-In-Charge (PIC) signature confirms review of this daily allergen label verification log per FDA Food Code 2022 §2-101.11.