UK Food Labelling Regulations: Compliance and Best Practices

Contents

• Introduction
• Overview of UK Food Labelling Regulations
• Mandatory Information on Food Labels
• Allergen Labelling Requirements
• Nutritional Information and Health Claims
• Country of Origin and Other Specific Labelling Requirements
• Impact of Brexit on Food Labelling Regulations
• Best Practices for Food Labelling Compliance
• Conclusion

Introduction

Navigating the complex landscape of food labelling regulations in the UK can be daunting, especially for new food businesses. This guide provides a comprehensive overview of the essential regulations and best practices for food labelling compliance. It helps ensure your products meet all legal requirements and stand out on the shelves.

Overview of UK Food Labelling Regulations

Importantly, UK food labelling regulations are designed to protect consumers by providing clear, accurate, and honest information about the food products they purchase. Markedly, the UK’s primary legislation governing food labelling is the Food Information Regulations 2014, which retained much of the EU’s Food Information for Consumers Regulation (EU) No 1169/2011 post-Brexit​​​​​​.

Moreover, the Food Standards Agency (FSA) oversees the implementation of these regulations, working with local authorities and industry bodies to ensure compliance​​.

Mandatory Information on Food Labels

For instance, all prepacked food products sold in the UK must display specific mandatory information to ensure consumers can make informed decisions. The mandatory details include:

Name of the Food

The food’s name must be clear and not misleading. If a legal name exists, it must be used; otherwise, a customary or descriptive name should be provided​​​​.

Ingredients List

All ingredients must be listed in descending order of weight. Foods with more than one ingredient must have an ” Ingredients ” list​​​​.

Allergen Information

Allergens must be highlighted within the ingredients list using a different font style, background colour, or bold text​​​​.

Quantitative Ingredient Declarations (QUID)

The percentage of specific ingredients must be declared when they are emphasised on the label or are essential to characterise the food​​.

Net Quantity

The net quantity of the food must be shown in grams, kilograms, millilitres, or litres​​.

Storage Instructions

If special storage conditions are required to ensure the product’s safety and quality, these must be indicated on the label​​​​.

Use-by or Best-before Date

These dates indicate the durability of the food and must be included on the packaging to ensure consumers know how long the product can be safely consumed​​.

Name and Address of the Food Business Operator

The name and address of the manufacturer, packer, or seller responsible for the product must be included​​​​to provide traceability.

Nutritional Information

Mandatory nutritional declarations must include energy value and amounts of fat, saturates, carbohydrates, sugars, protein, and salt​​​​.

Allergen Labelling Requirements

Many consumers are concerned about food allergens. The UK requires that any of the 14 major allergens in a food product be emphasized in the ingredients list. These allergens include cereals containing gluten, crustaceans, eggs, fish, peanuts, soybeans, milk, nuts, celery, mustard, sesame seeds, sulphur dioxide/sulphites, lupin, and molluscs.

Additionally, for non-prepacked foods, allergen information must be provided on labels or through other means, such as menus or verbal communication​​.

Nutritional Information and Health Claims

Specifically, nutritional labelling helps consumers understand the food’s nutritional content. Since December 2016, food labelling regulations have made it mandatory for most prepacked foods to display a nutritional declaration, including energy value (in kJ and kcal), fat, saturates, carbohydrates, sugars, protein, and salt.

Health claims on food labels are strictly regulated to ensure they are not misleading. Claims such as “low fat” or “high in fibre” must meet specific legal criteria​​​​.

Country of Origin and Other Specific Labelling Requirements

Certain foods must display the country of origin to prevent misleading consumers about the food’s true origin. This requirement applies to products like beef, pork, lamb, poultry, fish, shellfish, fruit, vegetables, and honey​​​​.

Additionally, the label must include relevant information on foods containing specific ingredients such as sweeteners, caffeine, or polyols​​​​.

Impact of Brexit on Food Labelling Regulations

Above all, Brexit has changed food labelling regulations, particularly regarding health marks, organic certification, and import/export requirements. The UK now follows retained EU law, but differences between UK and EU regulations are expected to grow over time.

Most importantly, food businesses must stay updated with these changes to ensure compliance in the UK and EU markets​​.

Best Practices for Food Labelling Compliance

To ensure compliance with UK food labelling regulations 2024, consider the following best practices:

Keep Up-to-Date with Regulations

Check updates from the Food Standards Agency and other relevant authorities regularly to stay informed about changes in food labelling regulations​​.

Ensure Clarity and Legibility

Mandatory information must be clear, legible, and indelible. Use appropriate font sizes and styles to ensure all required information is easily read​​​​.

Highlight Allergens

Clearly emphasise allergens in the ingredients list using bold text, different font styles, or background colours​​​​.

Provide Accurate Nutritional Information

Ensure that all nutritional information is accurate and presented in the required format. Avoid making unsubstantiated health claims​​​​.

Include Mandatory Information for Non-Prepacked Foods

Provide allergen information and other necessary details for non-prepacked foods through labels, menus, or verbal communication​​.

Use Technology for Compliance

Lastly, consider using digital tools and software to manage labelling requirements and ensure all information is up-to-date and compliant​​.

Conclusion

In conclusion, comply with UK food labelling regulations to ensure consumer safety and maintain trust in your brand. Understand and adhere to these regulations to help consumers make informed choices and protect your business from legal issues. Stay informed about regulatory changes, use clear and accurate labelling practices, and prioritize allergen and nutritional information to meet the highest standards of food labelling compliance.

Meanwhile, visit the Food Standards Agency, UK Government, and other official resources for more detailed information on specific regulations and updates.

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