Can I add palm oil to stop the oil separating?

Not under the name peanut butter: the standard only accepts hydrogenated vegetable oils as oil stabilizers. Adding or removing peanut oil to adjust the texture is allowed.

What serving size goes on a peanut butter label?

2 tbsp, with the weight in grams: 2 tbsp (32g) for a typical smooth peanut butter. A 1.15 oz squeeze pack is one serving: the whole pack.

Do I need a tree nut warning on peanut butter?

Only if tree nuts are in the jar; then the Contains line names each one. A line like "made on equipment that also processes tree nuts" is voluntary.

Can I make chocolate peanut butter?

Yes, but cocoa, sugar and chocolate past 10% of the weight make it "peanut spread" with the percent of peanuts in the name. Weigh every add-in against the peanuts before you name the jar.

Peanut Butter Label

Peanut butter label rules start with the name. "Peanut butter" is a federal standard: at least 90% of the jar must be roasted peanuts, with no artificial flavors, artificial sweeteners, chemical preservatives or colors. The label then needs the net weight, the ingredient list, Contains peanuts, your name and address and Nutrition Facts per 2 tablespoons. Enter your recipe and get the back label for your jar.

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Peanut butter label on a 16 oz glass jar of salted peanut butter with a Nutrition Facts panel: 190 calories per 2 tbsp

Checklist

What has to be on your peanut butter label

The jar front carries the name and the weight. The back carries the rest. The numbers match the jar on the left.

Front label

STONE GROUND · STIR WELLSaltedPeanut Butter

NET WT 16 OZ (1 LB) 454g

Back label

Nutrition Facts

about 14 servings per container

Serving size2 tbsp (32g)

Calories190

Total Fat 16g21%

Saturated Fat 2.5g13%

Trans Fat 0g

Cholesterol 0mg0%

Sodium 170mg7%

Total Carb. 7g3%

Dietary Fiber 3g11%

Total Sugars 2g

Incl. Added Sugars 0g0%

Protein 8g

Vitamin D 0mcg0%

Calcium 20mg0%

Iron 0.5mg2%

Potassium 200mg4%

INGREDIENTS: Dry roasted peanuts (peanuts, salt).

Allergens: Contains peanuts.

Ground by Red Clay Nut Co.Dothan, AL 36301

1
Name21 CFR 164.150
"Peanut butter" only when the recipe meets the standard. Ground with the skins on? The name needs "prepared from unblanched peanuts (skins left on)" right next to it, at least half the size.
2
Net weight21 CFR 101.7
Ounces and grams in the bottom 30% of the front. From 1 lb up, add the pounds: NET WT 16 OZ (1 LB) 454g.
3
Nutrition Facts21 CFR 101.9
Per 2 tablespoons, with the grams in parentheses. A small seller with no nutrition claims on the jar can be exempt.
4
Ingredient list21 CFR 101.4
Peanuts first, then honey, sugar, oil or salt by weight. Two ingredients is plenty: Peanuts, salt.
5
Allergen statementFALCPA
Contains peanuts. Peanuts are their own major allergen, separate from tree nuts, so a peanut and almond butter names both.
6
Name and address21 CFR 101.5
Who ground and packed it, with city, state and ZIP. A co-packer fills your jars? "Distributed by" with your name works.Co-Packer →

Peanut butter rules

Things that are different for peanut butter

90%At least 90% peanutsSeasoning and stabilizing ingredients, like salt, honey, sugar or oil, may add up to 10% of the weight. Fat may not go over 55%. The sample is dry roasted peanuts with salt: about 50% fat by USDA's numbers.21 CFR 164.150(a)

Not allowedIngredients the standard rules outArtificial flavorings, artificial sweeteners, chemical preservatives and color additives. An oil added to stop the oil from separating must be a hydrogenated vegetable oil. Adjusting the oil with peanut oil is fine.21 CFR 164.150(a), (c)

SpreadOver 10% extras makes it peanut spreadChocolate, lots of honey or other add-ins past 10% of the weight turn it into "peanut spread", named with the percent of peanuts in steps of 5, never above the real share. A spread that falls short of peanut butter's protein, vitamins and minerals must be labeled an imitation.21 CFR 102.23

2 tbspServing sizeNut and seed butters share a 2 tablespoon reference amount. USDA puts 2 tbsp of peanut butter at 32 g. Weigh your own, since chunks and honey change it.21 CFR 101.12(b)

0gHoney peanut butter has added sugarsHoney and sugar count as added sugars, even when they stay inside the 10%. A jar of just peanuts and salt shows 0g Added Sugars, like the sample. The 2 g of sugars come from the peanuts.21 CFR 101.9(c)(6)(iii)

AlmondOther nut buttersAlmond, cashew and sunflower seed butter have no federal standard like peanut butter's, but they share the 2 tbsp serving. Name the tree nut: Contains almonds. Sunflower seeds are not a major allergen; sesame in tahini is.21 CFR Part 164 · 21 U.S.C. 321(qq)

Sizes

Peanut butter jars and the label that fits

Jars are round, so the panel has to fit the flat part you can read without turning the jar too far. Measure yours, then try the styles in the tool.

Peanut butter jars and the label that fits
Jar	Typical label area	Style that usually fits
1.15 oz squeeze pack	2 × 3 in	Small package (linear), 1 serving
8 oz jar	2.5 × 2 in	Tabular (wide)
12 oz jar	3 × 2.5 in	Standard (vertical)
16 oz jar	3.5 × 3 in	Standard (vertical)Sample

Sample recipe included

Start from a peanut butter that's already filled in

One ingredient line: dry roasted peanuts with salt, ground until smooth, so the label reads Dry roasted peanuts (peanuts, salt). Want honey peanut butter? Up to 1 1/2 oz of honey per pound of peanuts keeps you above 90% peanuts, and the added sugars line updates as you type.

Start with this recipe

Start from a peanut butter that's already filled in
Ingredient	Amount	Unit
Roasted peanuts✓ USDA match	16	oz

Makes one 16 oz jarServing 2 tbsp (32 g), the FDA reference amount for nut butters

Questions