Mandatory and voluntary labelling information.

Mandatory information - that must be on food labels includes:

• name of product
• net quantity
• date of minimum durability
• allergen information

A table in the Handbook and articles on the website go into more detail on the requirements.

Voluntary information - extra information for consumers for product marketing purposes:

• special offers
• brand information
• environmental impact (dolphin friendly)

Loose foods (non pre-packed)

Separate rules apply to foods sold loose (not pre-packed) and to very small packs.

There are currently some forty separate regulations covering labelling so the rules are complex.

The draft EC regulation on the provision of food information to consumers (Jan 08 version) can be viewed here.

The official response to the Commission from UEAPME which Food Solutions contributed to can be seen here

Claims on labels

What is a health or nutrition claim?

How do I know my labels are right?

There will be a positive list of generic terms that can be made in the next few years.

Meanwhile, there are recognised claims and conditions applying to them such as:

• low fat
• high fibre
• sugar free

If any claim is made there must also be a panel showing the nutients and their quantities.

Our Understanding Food Hygiene and Safety Handbook quotes the full list of permitted claims and their conditions.

The full text of the Regulation EC 1924/2006 is on the website

Allergen labelling is outlined on the allergen page and in detail the Handbook.

You know the rules with Food Solutions.

Food Labelling

Why is labelling important?

With the change of EU Parliament, the Labelling proposal has been amended once again. Unfortunately, having seen the new proposal we are disappointed to see most of the amendments we suggested following our survey of members and interested parties have been dropped.

Thus we will have to once again put across your concerns and try to get our amendments included once again. Influence the lawmakers.

The laws on food labelling are under review.

The basic concept is that consumers must not be misled, by wording, pictures or implication.

Food must be what it says it is as well as what it looks like.

Dates on labels

It is a legal requirement that all pre-packed foods are labelled with a durability date.

There are three dates you might see.

• use by
• best before
• sell by/display until

Which date is critical to food safety? Is it legal to sell food after the best before date?

Is food safe to eat after a sell by date?

Food Solutions answers these questions in our Quick Reference Handbook and in more detail in Understanding Food Hygiene and Safety Regulations Handbook.

Eggs - special rules

What are the rules on selling eggs? Sell by and use by dates for eggs are explained by Food Solutions.

Egg marking codes denoting production method and origin are discussed in depth in the handbook and in articles in the members section.

There are currently 87 pieces of EU and UK legislation egg producers should be aware of.