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Food labelling requirements

Label prepacked food correctly with all mandatory information.

Guide summary

You must label prepacked food with the name, ingredients, allergens (highlighted), net quantity, date, storage conditions, business details, country of origin if needed, and nutrition information. Use 'use by' for high-risk foods and 'best before' for others. If you break these rules, you can get an unlimited fine.

  • Include the name of the food on the label
  • List ingredients in order by weight, biggest first
  • Highlight allergens in the ingredients list
  • Show the net quantity (weight or volume)
  • Use 'use by' for high-risk foods, 'best before' for others
  • Add storage instructions and business name and address
  • Provide nutrition info: energy, fat, saturates, carbs, sugars, protein, salt
  • Add country of origin for certain foods
  • Penalty for breaking the rules is an unlimited fine
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Prepacked food must display specific information on the label, including the name of the food, ingredients list, allergen information, net quantity, date marking, storage conditions, name and address of the food business operator, country of origin (for certain foods), and nutritional information.

Applies to
All prepacked food
Legal basis
Food Information Regulations 2014 (England; parallel regulations apply in Wales, Scotland and Northern Ireland)
Enforcement
Trading Standards / Local Authority
Penalties
Unlimited fine (labelling offences under the Food Information Regulations 2014 are fine-only; imprisonment is possible only for offences under the Food Safety Act 1990)
  1. 1

    Include mandatory information

    Name, ingredients, allergens, quantity, date, business details.

  2. 2

    Use correct date marking

    'Use by' for high-risk foods, 'best before' for others.

  3. 3

    Provide nutritional information

    Energy, fat, saturates, carbohydrate, sugars, protein, salt per 100g/ml.

  4. 4

    Highlight allergens

    Emphasise allergens in the ingredients list (bold, capitals, or different colour).

Mandatory label information:

  • Name of the food
  • List of ingredients (in descending order by weight)
  • Allergen information (emphasized)
  • Net quantity (weight or volume)
  • Date of minimum durability ('use by' or 'best before')
  • Storage conditions and/or conditions of use
  • Name and address of food business operator
  • Country of origin (for specific foods)
  • Instructions for use (if necessary)
  • Nutrition declaration (energy, fat, saturates, carbohydrate, sugars, protein, salt)
  • Alcohol by volume (for drinks >1.2% ABV)