Food Labelling in the UK:
A Guide to the Regulations

Welcome! The following pages are designed to provide a guide to the requirements for food labels in the United Kingdom. They are intended to help:

• Small and medium sized food businesses - who may have limited access to legal advice
• Industry training courses - in food labelling and related topics
• University teaching - for modules in food law and marketing
• Schools - in supporting food technology and related GCSE and A-level work

The pages are not intended to provide a comprehensive guide to the creation of a legal label. Many large companies employ their own experts for this purpose and it would be impossible for this site to provide the same service. Users should be aware that difficulties can occur with the simplest of issues - when can you use the words 'ham' or 'chocolate' on a label for example. The aim is to provide a site that provides guidance on the key points on a food label. Ultimately, only the courts can decide whether a label is legal or not. When using the site for the development of a label, additional expert advice should be sought. This could include consulting the local enforcement officers - usually the Trading Standards Officers or the Environmental Health Officers at the local council.

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