FOOD LABELLING

TO LEARN MORE ABOUT FOOD LABELLING BROWSE THE FOLLOWING LINKS:

www.gov.uk/food-labelling

food-labelling

You can also have a look at the following Italian link

www.salute.gov.it

AND THEN READ THE SUMMARY BELOW IN ORDER TO REMEMBER THE MOST IMPORTANT INFORMATION:

To sell food and drink products, the label must be:

clear and easy to read

permanent

easy to understand

easily visible

not misleading

You must show the following information on the front of packaged food:

the name of the food

a ‘best before’ or ‘use by’ date (or instructions on where to find it)

any necessary warnings

You must also show the following information - it can be on the front, side or back of the packaging:

quantity information

a list of ingredients (if there are more than 2)

the name and address of the manufacturer, packer or seller

the lot number (or use-by date if you wish)

any special storage conditions

instructions for use or cooking, if necessary

You must put the net quantity in grams, kilograms, millilitres or litres on the label of:

packaged food over 5g or 5ml

packaged herbs and spices

Solid foods packed in a liquid must show the drained net weight.

You must be able to see the quantity information when you read the name of the food on the label and, for alcohol, the alcoholic strength.

Country of origin

The label for beef, veal, fish and shellfish, honey, olive oil, wine, most fruit and vegetables and poultry imported from outside the EU must show the country of origin.

Ingredients list

If your food or drink product has 2 or more ingredients (including any additives), you must list them all. Ingredients must be listed in order of weight, with the main ingredient first.

Ingredient quantities

You also have to show the percentage of an ingredient if it is:

highlighted by the labelling or a picture on a package, eg ‘extra cheese’
mentioned in the name of the product, eg ‘cheese and onion pasty’
normally connected with the name by the consumer, eg fruit in a summer pudding

Nutrition labelling

You must follow the European Union (EU) rules for nutrition labelling if you want to show nutrition information on pre-packed products.

You must have nutrition labelling if:

you make a nutrition or health claim

you’ve added vitamins or minerals to the food.

You’ll need to provide this information for all pre-packed products from December 2016.

You have to follow certain rules if you want to make a nutrition claim (eg low fat) or a health claim (eg calcium helps maintain normal bones).Y

You can’t claim or imply that food can treat, prevent or cure any disease or medical condition.

Organic food

If you are a retailer, you can label products" organic as long as:

at least the 95% farm-grown ingredients are organic
you sell direct to customers in your shop

ORGANIC CERTIFICATION

you must be certified by one of the organic control bodies if you produce or prepare organic food, and want to sell or label it as organic. Onece registerd you'll have to: