an easy - opening feature in a flexible package is provided by forming a tear feature in the package material by slitting , perforating , or otherwise forming a stress riser in the material , and affixing a label to the package material so that the label adheres to the tear feature . the formation of the tear feature and affixing of the label are performed prior to wrapping a product in the package material and sealing the material , and preferably are performed while the package material is moving along a path in a packaging apparatus . the label in one embodiment includes a detachable middle portion that tears free of the rest of the label upon pulling the detachable portion , such that remaining portions of the label remain on the package adjacent the opening created by the tear feature .