{"dataset":"US Nutrition Label Rules","version":"17.0.0","cfr_snapshot_date":"2026-02-12","source":"FDA 21 CFR 101.9 (Nutrition labeling of food)","url":"https://bettermenu.live/tools/label-formats/linear/","md_url":"https://bettermenu.live/tools/label-formats/linear.md","slug":"linear","format_keys":["linear"],"name":"Linear","title":"Linear Nutrition Facts Label","answer":"The nutrition facts in one running line of text. Under 12 sq in, or up to 40 sq in when no vertical or tabular panel fits on any side, and only when no tabular panel fits.","rule":"optional","rule_summary":"Allowed on small packages when no tabular panel fits","citations":[{"cite":"21 CFR 101.9(j)(13)(ii)(A)","url":"https://www.ecfr.gov/current/title-21/section-101.9#p-101.9(j)(13)(ii)(A)"},{"cite":"21 CFR 101.9(j)(13)(ii)(A)(2)","url":"https://www.ecfr.gov/current/title-21/section-101.9#p-101.9(j)(13)(ii)(A)(2)"},{"cite":"21 CFR 101.9(j)(13)(ii)(B)","url":"https://www.ecfr.gov/current/title-21/section-101.9#p-101.9(j)(13)(ii)(B)"}],"in_studio":false,"check":{"condition":"Allowed if the package has under 12 sq in to print on, or up to 40 sq in when no vertical or tabular panel fits on any side, and only if no tabular panel fits.","questions":[{"id":"label-area","question":"How much of the package can carry printing?","options":[{"id":"under-12","label":"Under 12 sq in"},{"id":"12-40","label":"12 to 40 sq in"},{"id":"over-40","label":"Over 40 sq in"}]},{"id":"claims","question":"Does it make nutrition claims or show nutrition information anywhere?","options":[{"id":"yes","label":"Yes"},{"id":"no","label":"No"}]},{"id":"population","question":"Who is the food made for?","options":[{"id":"general","label":"Everyone 4 and older"},{"id":"infants","label":"Infants through 12 months"},{"id":"children","label":"Children 1 through 3"},{"id":"both","label":"Infants and children 1 through 3"},{"id":"pregnant","label":"Pregnant or lactating women"}]},{"id":"promoted-use","question":"Do you promote it for a use of twice or more, or half or less, its reference amount?","options":[{"id":"yes","label":"Yes"},{"id":"exempt","label":"Yes, but it is a bulk ingredient such as flour, a multipurpose food such as butter, or a multipurpose baking mix"},{"id":"no","label":"No"}]},{"id":"vertical-fits","question":"Does a vertical panel fit on any side?","options":[{"id":"yes","label":"Yes"},{"id":"no","label":"No"}]},{"id":"vertical-space","question":"How tall is the tallest open space for the panel?","options":[{"id":"yes","label":"Under about 3 in"},{"id":"no","label":"About 3 in or more"}]},{"id":"tabular-fits","question":"Does a regular tabular panel fit on any side?","options":[{"id":"yes","label":"Yes"},{"id":"no","label":"No"}]}],"assumed":[{"question":"package-size","answer":"other","text":"not 150% to 300% of the reference amount"},{"question":"population","answer":"general","text":"for everyone 4 and older"},{"question":"promoted-use","answer":"no","text":"no promoted use"}]},"differs_from_standard":["The whole panel is one string of text, with no rows or columns.","It may use the same short names as the small-package tabular label."],"callouts":[{"text":"“Nutrition Facts” starts the line","cite":"21 CFR 101.9(j)(13)(ii)(A)(2)","url":"https://www.ecfr.gov/current/title-21/section-101.9#p-101.9(j)(13)(ii)(A)(2)"},{"text":"One running line of text","cite":"21 CFR 101.9(j)(13)(ii)(A)(2)","url":"https://www.ecfr.gov/current/title-21/section-101.9#p-101.9(j)(13)(ii)(A)(2)"}],"daily_values":[],"all_daily_values":[],"sections":[],"fda_sample_labels":[{"graphic":"er24mr23.014","title":"Linear display","image":"https://bettermenu.live/tools/label-formats/fda/er24mr23.014.png","cite":"21 CFR 101.9(j)(13)(ii)(A)(2)","url":"https://www.ecfr.gov/current/title-21/section-101.9#p-101.9(j)(13)(ii)(A)(2)","federal_register":"88 FR 17710","federal_register_url":"https://www.federalregister.gov/documents/2023/03/24/2023-05418/food-labeling-infant-formula-requirements-food-additives-and-generally-recognized-as-safe-substances","values_illustrative":true}],"related":[{"slug":"small-package-tabular","url":"https://bettermenu.live/tools/label-formats/small-package-tabular/"},{"slug":"tabular","url":"https://bettermenu.live/tools/label-formats/tabular/"},{"slug":"small-package-exemption","url":"https://bettermenu.live/tools/label-formats/small-package-exemption/"}],"quotes":[{"cite":"21 CFR 101.9(j)(13)(ii)(A)","url":"https://www.ecfr.gov/current/title-21/section-101.9#p-101.9(j)(13)(ii)(A)","text":"Presenting the required nutrition information in a tabular or, as provided below, linear (i.e., string) fashion rather than in vertical columns if the product has a total surface area available to bear labeling of less than 12 square inches, or if the product has a total surface area available to bear labeling of 40 or less square inches and the package shape or size cannot accommodate a standard vertical column or tabular display on any label panel. Nutrition information may be given in a linear fashion only if the label will not accommodate a tabular display.","excerpt":false},{"cite":"21 CFR 101.9(j)(13)(i)","url":"https://www.ecfr.gov/current/title-21/section-101.9#p-101.9(j)(13)(i)","text":"Foods in packages subject to requirements of paragraphs (j)(13)(ii)(A)(1) and (2) of this section do not require the information in paragraphs (d)(9) and (f)(5) related to the footnote, however the abbreviated footnote statement “% DV = % Daily Value” may be used.","excerpt":false}],"faq":[{"id":"linear-when","question":"Is a linear label ever required?","answer":"No. It is allowed, never required. Under 12 sq in, or up to 40 sq in when no vertical or tabular panel fits on any side, and only when no tabular panel fits.","citations":["21 CFR 101.9(j)(13)(ii)","21 CFR 101.9(j)(13)(ii)(A)"]},{"id":"linear-abbreviations","question":"Can a linear label use short names?","answer":"Yes. Any panel on a package of 40 sq in or less may use FDA’s short names, such as “Sat fat”.","citations":["21 CFR 101.9(j)(13)(ii)(B)"]},{"id":"linear-min-font","question":"What is the minimum font size for a linear label?","answer":"Nutrient names 8 pt, “Calories” 10 pt and its number 14 pt, and the serving lines 9 pt. Under 12 sq in, every required item may be as small as 6 pt.","citations":["21 CFR 101.9(d)(1)(iii)","21 CFR 101.9(d)(3)(i)","21 CFR 101.9(j)(13)(i)(B)"]},{"id":"linear-columns","question":"Can a linear label have two columns?","answer":"FDA shows no sample of one, and a package that qualifies needs no per-package column. A promoted use still needs a column for that use, and in our reading that rules linear out. Our reading is to keep a linear label to one set of values.","citations":["21 CFR 101.9(b)(12)(i)(A)","21 CFR 101.9(b)(11)","21 CFR 101.9(j)(13)(ii)(A)(2)"]}]}