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)
-
Include mandatory information
Name, ingredients, allergens, quantity, date, business details.
-
Use correct date marking
'Use by' for high-risk foods, 'best before' for others.
-
Provide nutritional information
Energy, fat, saturates, carbohydrate, sugars, protein, salt per 100g/ml.
-
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)
Legal basis
Primary legislation and key regulations
Browse UK legislation (opens in a new tab) legislation.gov.ukOfficial guidance
Allergen guidance for food businesses (opens in a new tab)
FSA
FSA guidance on distance selling (opens in a new tab)
FSA
Food labelling and packaging (GOV.UK) (opens in a new tab)
FSA
Natasha's Law guidance (opens in a new tab)
FSA
Food allergen labelling and information requirements: technical guidance (opens in a new tab)
FSA
FSA novel foods authorisation guidance (opens in a new tab)
FSA