Fundamentals

Introduction

These pages provide guidance on the content and application of the EU Provision of Food Information to Consumers Regulation (Regulation (EU) 1169/2011). This Regulation was directly applicable in the UK prior to the UK withdrawal from the EU. From 1 January 2021, with the end of the Brexit transition period, the situation changed. The EU Regulation (as it existed on 31 December 2020) was incorporated into UK legislation. For the sale of products in the UK, the labelling rules have remained the same but are now UK-based. In the future, there may be changes implemented by the UK leading to divergence from the EU rules.

The material presented here is relevant to the preparation of labels for use with pre-packed food products. These pages therefore do not provide a complete guide to the content of the full requirements which have broader coverage. Where appropriate, labelling information is also provided based on other legislation. Coverage of these aspects is not as comprehensive.

In addition to the legal requirements, there are various supporting guidance documents. Where appropriate, reference is made to these although care is needed as they may not accurately reflect the legislation.

• Fundamental requirements
• Key mandatory requirements
• Name of food
• List of ingredients
• Quantitative ingredient declaration
• Quantity marking and weight statements
• Date marking / storage
• Name and address (of business)
• Additional requirements
• Country of origin / place of provenance
• Alcoholic strength
• Nutrition declaration
• Allergen labelling
• Manner of marking of labelling
• Claims
• Genetically modified foods
• Novel foods
• Lot marking requirements
• Requirements relating to specific foods
• Labelling provisions of the Food Safety Act 1990

Other information on labelling can also be found on the Web. A useful page on labelling is provided on the main Foodlaw-Reading site: