Department of Food and Nutritional Sciences, The University of Reading
Food Labelling in the UK: A Guide to the Legal Requirements .............. Home Page |
CHECKLIST
If you are designing
a label, it may be useful to have a checklist of items to consider. This page
gives a listing set out to assist in the design of a label to meet legal requirements.
Where a link is given,
click on the link to have the relevant page appear on the left of the screen.
- Name of Food:
You must have a legal name (not the brand name). See Name of food
- List of Ingredients:
Most foods need an ingredients' list (although some are exempt). See Ingredients for a listing of exempt foods and the requirements for writing the
list.
- Quantitative Declaration
of Ingredients: Does your product name or the product information given
on the label trigger a requirement to provide a % declaration on the amount
used? See QUID for guidance.
- Date Marking:
Most foods will need to have either a 'best before' date or a 'use by' date.
Some foods are exempt. Have a look at Date marking.
- Name and Address: The label must have the name and address of the manufacturer or packer, and/or,
a seller established within the EC. See: Name and address.
- Extra Information:
It is also possible that your food will need extra details! Have a look at
Additional requirements.
- Claims: There
are tight controls on the language used to describe some aspects of your food
(e.g. energy value, protein value). If you want to make a claim, have a look
at the restrictions listed on Claims.
- Nutrition Labelling:
Where nutrition labelling is given, it must meet prescribed design requirements.
What should be included is also specified. Take a look at Nutrition declaration
- Allergen Labelling: The law requires that the presence of certain specified allergens is clearly declared on the label. Information on the requirements can be found on Allergen labelling
- Genetically Modified Foods and Ingredients: Special rules have been introduced to provide consumer
information when a food or its ingredients have been genetically modified.
Where you have information indicating that this applies to your food, have
a look at GM Food.
- Lot Marking:
There is a legal requirement for producers to mark their foods with an indication
enabling them to withdraw a 'lot' in the event of a problem. Some foods are
exempt. Details are given on Lot marking.
- Other Legal Requirements:
These pages describe the general food labelling controls. Some foods have
special regulations which control their composition and provide additional
or different labelling requirements. A listing of these other Regulations
(not covered in detail on these pages) is given on Specific foods.
- Food Safety Act:
When you think you have the perfect label, don't forget the over-riding requirement
of the Food Safety Act. Have a read of Food Safety Act for the precise wording to see if you are OK.
- Weight Requirements:
Although not part of food labelling law, most foods are required to have an
indication of the weight of the food contained within the package. Some guidance
is given on Weights.