Trading standards leaflets

Labelling of packaged foods

The Food Labelling Regulations 1996 contain some basic requirements that most food must be labelled with the food name, ingredients list, a percentage quantity indication for certain ingredients (known as QUID - quantitative ingredient declaration), a use by or best before date, storage conditions, name/address of manufacturer, place of origin and instructions for use.

There are other specific additional labelling requirements including those relating to allergenic ingredients, irradiated foods, genetically modified foods, alcoholic drinks and more. There are also guidelines in relation to any labelling claims. In the majority of cases, food must be labelled with a quantity marking in metric units and it may have to be packaged in specific quantities.

The requirements cover the labelling of food that has been packaged by retailers, wholesalers or manufacturers, for retail sale from premises other than at the place of packing.

In the guide
What labelling is required?
Other labelling requirements
Labelling claims
Nutritional labelling
Exemptions

What labelling is required?
The labelling requirements are complex, and vary from product to product. There are certain basic requirements for all food labels. They are as follows:

• a food name. This should be the one that is required by law or a customary name. If neither of these apply, the name must be sufficiently precise to inform a purchaser of the food's true nature, and distinguish it from products with which it could be confused. (Note: a brand name or fancy name can still be used provided it is not substituted for the proper name)
• a list of ingredients, in descending order, by weight
• a percentage quantity indication for certain ingredients or categories of ingredients (also known as a 'QUID' declaration)
• a 'use by', 'best before' or 'best before end' date, and possibly a lot or batch number
• any special storage or use conditions
• the name and address of the manufacturer, packer or seller
• place of origin, if its omission could mislead
• any instructions that are necessary to use the food

The above is a brief summary of the requirements. There are specific rules about the details of each of these indications, and the manner in which they are presented, which also need to be followed. For example:

• should your product contain any additives (such as colours or preservatives), its name or 'E' number must be preceded by the category name of the additive in the ingredients list
• certain information, such as the name, quantity declaration and date marking, must be in the same field of vision on a label. All the information must be clearly legible and the name must not be interrupted by other words or pictures

Some products also have specific additional labelling requirements. For example:

• jam requires a fruit and sugar (soluble solids) content declaration
• chocolate requires a percentage cocoa solids declaration and milk chocolate requires a percentage milk solids declaration
• beef is required to be labelled with specific origin and traceability information
• baby food requires a statement of the minimum age of child for which it is suitable and a specific nutritional declaration

Other labelling requirements
Specific additional information must be included on the label if it applies to the food. For example:

• specified allergenic ingredients must be indicated in the labelling of pre-packed food and alcoholic drinks
• alcoholic drinks need to declare their strength (percentage -  volume)
• food or ingredients that have been irradiated must be declared and labelled 'irradiated' or 'treated with ionising radiation'
• food or ingredients which contain, consist of, or are produced from genetically modified organisms are subject to special labelling requirements
• raw milk that has not been heat-treated is required to be marked with a warning
• if food has had its shelf life increased by being packaged in certain gases, it must be marked 'packaged in a protective atmosphere'
• foods which contain sweeteners, both sweeteners and sugar, aspartame or polyols are required to have specific labelling declarations alongside the food name
• products consisting of skimmed milk together with non-milk fat, which are not specifically formulated for babies and young children, must be labelled with a warning that the product is not suitable for feeding babies

Labelling claims:

• there are special rules concerning the labelling of food as 'organic'
• there are guidelines to be followed when words such as 'natural' are used
• there are guidelines to be considered concerning descriptions of foods as suitable for vegetarians or vegans
• there are special considerations relating to the use of illustrations
• if a food makes a claim regarding any of the following: slimming, extra vitamins or minerals, low nutrient content etc, specific compositional requirements as well as compulsory nutritional labelling is triggered - see below

Nutritional labelling
Unless claims are made about the product, such as those given above, there is no legal requirement to give nutritional information. If you give nutritional information, either to comply with the regulations, or voluntarily, they must be in one of the two formats below:

Per 100g or per 100ml:

Energy - kcal/kJ
Protein - g
Carbohydrate - g
Fat - g

Per 100g or per 100ml:

Energy - kcal/kJ
Protein - g
Carbohydrate - g
of which sugars - g
Fat - g
of which saturates - g
Fibre - g
Sodium - g

You may give additional nutritional information in this format per specified serving, such as per biscuit or per 230g serving.

Exemptions
There are special provisions for bread, flour confectionery, edible ices and cows' milk, which allow some labelling provisions to be reduced and/or for some information to be given on associated notices. This applies where the food is packed by the seller for sale on the premises from which it is sold, or from their other premises trading under the same name, their market stall or their mobile premises. Please ask for further information if this applies to you.

Other requirements
In the majority of cases, food must be labelled with a quantity marking in metric

All food must comply with traceability requirements. Some foods have specific labelling requirements for traceability, such as beef and honey, but others need to follow general guidelines to ensure that you know which supplier individual foods come from, and to whom you have supplied your goods, if they go to another business. More information can be found in the European Commission factsheet 'Food traceability'.

Please note
This leaflet is not an authoritative interpretation of the law and is intended only for guidance. Any legislation referred to, while still current, may have been amended from the form in which it was originally enacted. Please contact us for further information.

Relevant legislation
Food Labelling Regulations 1996
EU Regulation (EC) No 178/2002 laying down the general principles and requirements of food law, establishing the European Food Safety Authority and laying down procedures in matters of food safety
General Food Regulations 2004

Last reviewed/updated: October 2012

© 2013 itsa Ltd on behalf of the Trading Standards Institute.