How much alcohol does vanilla extract need?

At least 35% by volume. With less alcohol the product is vanilla flavoring, which has the same bean requirement and its own name.

What does 2-fold vanilla mean?

It holds two units of vanilla constituent per gallon instead of one: the flavor of at least 26.7 oz of vanilla beans per gallon. FDA requires the fold in the name when there are two units or more, rounded down to a whole number.

What goes in the ingredient list of vanilla extract?

Everything in the bottle, heaviest first: typically vanilla bean extractives in water, alcohol. If you add sugar or corn syrup to round the flavor, list it too.

Is there a free vanilla extract label template?

Our blank Nutrition Facts templates and ingredient label template are free in fillable PDF, Word, SVG and PNG. The vanilla extract on this page loads into the free preview; a finished label with your numbers is $29.

Vanilla Extract Label

Vanilla extract label rules start with the name. Only a solution in at least 35% alcohol by volume, carrying the flavor of at least 13.35 oz of vanilla beans per gallon, may be called vanilla extract. Add the net contents in fl oz and mL, the ingredients and your name and address. Nutrition Facts are often optional: FDA names flavor extracts as an example of foods that can skip the panel, as long as the bottle makes no nutrition claims.

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Vanilla extract label on a 4 oz amber glass bottle of Madagascar vanilla extract with a small Nutrition Facts panel showing 0 calories per 1/4 teaspoon

Checklist

What has to be on your vanilla extract label

Six parts. On a small bottle the front holds the first two and a wrap-around label holds the rest.

Front label

SMALL BATCHMadagascarVanilla Extract

4 FL OZ (118 mL)

Back label

Nutrition Facts

about 96 servings per container

Serving size1/4 tsp (1mL)

Calories0

Total Fat 0g0%

Sodium 0mg0%

Total Carb. 0g0%

Total Sugars 0g

Protein 0g

Not a significant source of saturated fat, trans fat, cholesterol, dietary fiber, added sugars, vitamin D, calcium, iron and potassium.

INGREDIENTS: Vanilla extract (vanilla bean extractives in water, alcohol).

Allergens: none of the 9 major food allergens.

Made by Tall Pines Vanilla Co.Asheville, NC 28801

1
Product name21 CFR 169.175(b)
"Vanilla extract" or "Extract of vanilla". Twice the vanilla or more? The name adds the strength in whole numbers: "2-fold vanilla extract".
2
Net contents21 CFR 101.7
Fluid ounces and mL: 4 FL OZ (118 mL). It goes in the bottom 30% of the front, unless that front panel is 5 square inches or smaller.
3
Nutrition Facts21 CFR 101.9(j)(4)
Often optional. Flavor extracts are FDA's own example of foods exempt because every nutrient rounds to zero. A nutrition claim or any other nutrition information on the bottle brings the full panel back.
4
Ingredient list21 CFR 169.175(c)
Every ingredient, as in any other food: vanilla bean extractives in water, alcohol. Sugar, corn syrup, dextrose, glycerin or propylene glycol are allowed extras, and each one goes on the list.
5
Allergen statementFALCPA
Vanilla beans, water and alcohol are none of the 9 major allergens, so a straight extract has no Contains line.
6
Name and address21 CFR 101.5
Who made or bottled it, with city, state and ZIP. Bottling a bulk extract you buy in? "Bottled by" or "Distributed by" tells the buyer how you are connected to it.

Vanilla extract rules

Things that are different for vanilla extract

35%The alcohol minimumVanilla extract holds at least 35% ethyl alcohol by volume. Under 35%, the same product is called vanilla flavoring. 80 proof vodka is 40% alcohol, so it clears the line; add water or syrup and do the math again.21 CFR 169.175(a), 169.177

13.35 ozBeans per gallonOne unit of vanilla constituent is what alcohol draws out of 13.35 oz of vanilla beans at 25% moisture or less. Vanilla extract needs at least one unit per gallon: about 0.83 oz of beans per cup of extract. Two units or more makes it 2-fold, 3-fold and so on.21 CFR 169.3(b), (c); 169.175(a)

Made fromMade from concentrateExtract diluted from vanilla oleoresin, concentrated vanilla extract or concentrated vanilla flavoring says so right next to the name, with nothing printed in between: "Made from concentrated vanilla extract" or "Made in part from vanilla oleoresin".21 CFR 169.175(b)(2), (3)

VanillinAdded vanillin changes the nameVanilla extract with up to 1 oz of added vanillin for each unit of vanilla is vanilla-vanillin extract, followed by "contains vanillin, an artificial flavor". Every one of these standards starts from vanilla beans, so a flavor made from vanillin alone cannot use the vanilla extract names.21 CFR 169.180

1/4 tspNo FDA serving size for extractsFDA's table of reference amounts has no line for flavor extracts. Our example uses 1/4 tsp, and at that amount USDA's vanilla extract rounds to 0 for every value. At 1 tsp the same extract shows 10 calories, so pick the serving you print with care.21 CFR 101.12(b)

ClaimsA claim brings the panel backPrint "sugar free" or any other nutrition information on the bottle and the exemption is gone: then full Nutrition Facts are required. The tool shows your real numbers; it does not check claims.21 CFR 101.9(j)(4)Sugar Free Food Labels →

Sizes

Vanilla bottles and the label that fits

Extract bottles are small and round, so most of the label wraps the side. If you print a panel, these styles fit.

Vanilla bottles and the label that fits
Bottle	Typical label area	Style that usually fits
1 fl oz (30 mL) bottle	1.5 × 1 in	Small package (linear)
2 fl oz (59 mL) bottle	2 × 1.25 in	Small package (linear)
4 fl oz (118 mL) bottle	2 × 2.5 in	SimplifiedOur example
8 fl oz (237 mL) bottle	2.5 × 3 in	Simplified
16 fl oz (473 mL) bottle	3 × 4 in	Standard (vertical)

Sample recipe included

Start from a vanilla extract that's already filled in

This sample uses USDA's data for vanilla extract, enough for one 4 fl oz bottle. Tick Liquid and the serving prints as 1/4 tsp (1mL). Making yours from beans and vodka? Vanilla beans are not in our ingredient library: add them as your own ingredient with the numbers from your supplier's label.

Start with this recipe

Start from a vanilla extract that's already filled in
Ingredient	Amount	Unit
Vanilla extract✓ USDA match	1/2	cup

Makes one 4 fl oz bottle (118 mL)Serving 1/4 tsp (1 mL)

Questions