Regulation (EU) No 1169/2011 on the provision of food information to consumers
What this means for your business
- Enforced by
- FSA, Food Standards Scotland
- Applies to
- United Kingdom
- On this page
- 23 compliance obligations, 1 practical guide
What you must do
23 compliance obligations under this legislation.
Management duties 22
Ensure any extra nutrition symbols meet scientific and consumer‑research standards
If you want to use graphics, symbols or other visual ways to show a food’s energy or nutrient values, you must prove they are based on solid scientific research, stakeholder consultation and do not mislead consumers. Where a regulator requires it, you also have to notify the competent authority and keep the supporting evidence.
Ensure food information is accurate and compliant
If you market or supply food, you must make sure that all labels and any other information about the food are correct, complete and meet the legal requirements. You must not sell food you know is non‑compliant, must not change information in a way that could mislead consumers, and must pass the necessary details on to any downstream food businesses.
Ensure new food labels comply within the transitional period
When a new food‑labeling rule comes into force, you must make sure any new products you sell meet those rules from the start of the transitional period. You can keep selling existing stock that was placed before the period ends, but you must clear that stock before the period expires.
Ensure voluntary food info does not crowd out mandatory info
Unlimited fineIf you put optional or marketing information on food packaging, you must make sure it does not reduce the space available for the legally required details such as ingredients, allergens and nutrition. In practice, you need to design labels so the mandatory information is clear, prominent and has enough room.
Ensure voluntary food information is accurate and not misleading
If you choose to add optional information on your food packaging or marketing (e.g. health claims, allergen statements, vegan suitability), you must make sure it does not mislead, confuse or contradict scientific evidence. You also need to follow any detailed rules that may be introduced for specific types of voluntary information such as allergens or gluten‑free claims.
Express nutrition values per 100 g or 100 ml and show reference intake % on labels
Unlimited fineWhen you put nutrition information on a food label you must show the energy and nutrient amounts using the units in Annex XV, expressed per 100 g or 100 ml. If you list vitamins or minerals you also need to add the % of the reference intake, and you may optionally add the % of the adult reference intake for energy and other nutrients, with a statement “Reference intake of an average adult (8 400 kJ/2 000 kcal)”.
Label allergens clearly on ingredient lists and packaging
If you sell pre‑packed food that contains any of the allergens listed in Annex II, you must list those allergens in the ingredient list and make the name stand out (for example by using bold or a different colour). If the product has no ingredient list, you must use a ‘contains …’ statement that clearly identifies each allergen, even when several ingredients come from the same allergen source.
Label any special storage or use conditions on food packaging
Unlimited fineIf the food you sell needs particular storage conditions (e.g. keep refrigerated) or special handling after opening, you must clearly state those instructions on the label. This includes any time‑limit for using the product once the pack is opened. The information has to be provided before the product is placed on the market.
Label highly perishable foods with a ‘use by’ date
If you sell foods that can become unsafe quickly (for example fresh meat, dairy or ready‑to‑eat salads), you must put a ‘use by’ date on the label rather than a ‘best before’ date. The date must be shown in the format set out in Annex X of the Regulation, and the food is considered unsafe after that date.
Place mandatory food information on packaging or label
If you sell food, you must make all required information (ingredients, allergens, nutrition, etc.) readily available to consumers. For pre‑packed foods the information has to appear directly on the pack or on a label attached to it. For unpackaged foods the information must still be accessible as set out in the regulation.
Present nutrition information clearly on food packaging
When you sell pre‑packed food you must show the nutrition declaration (energy, fat, sugars, etc.) together with the other mandatory label information in the same field of vision. It should be laid out in a clear way – preferably in a table with numbers aligned if space allows, otherwise in a linear format – using the minimum font size required. If any nutrients are present in negligible amounts you can replace the numbers with a short statement placed close to the nutrition panel.
Provide clear instructions for use on food packaging
You must put instructions on the label or packaging so consumers know how to use the food safely and correctly. Wherever a product needs preparation, cooking, serving or dosage guidance, the information has to be presented in a clear, understandable way.
Provide complete ingredient list on food labels
Unlimited fineIf you sell pre‑packed food, you must put an ingredient list on the pack. It needs a heading that includes the word ‘ingredients’, list every ingredient in order of weight at the time you made the product, use the exact legal name, and flag any engineered nanomaterials by adding ‘(nano)’ after the name. This must be true for every product you put on the market.
Provide country of origin on food labels
Unlimited fineWhen you sell food, you must show the country of origin or place of provenance on the label whenever the lack of that information could mislead a consumer, and for certain meat products listed in the EU rules. If the main ingredient comes from a different country than the finished product, you must also indicate the ingredient’s origin or state that it’s different.
Provide extra mandatory food information for specific foods
If you sell foods that fall into the categories listed in Annex III, you must add extra information on the label or other consumer information beyond the standard list. Check Annex III to see which additional details are required and make sure they appear on every relevant product you place on the market.
Provide mandatory food information in English
When you sell food, any required details – such as ingredients, allergens, and nutrition information – must be shown in English. You can also include other languages, but English is mandatory on every label, pack or menu that the consumer sees.
Provide mandatory food information on identity, health and nutrition
Unlimited fineWhenever you place food on the market you must make sure the label gives consumers the essential facts – what the product is and what it contains, any health‑related warnings (e.g., allergens or harmful ingredients), and nutritional information. This helps shoppers make informed choices and meets the law’s mandatory labelling rules.
Provide mandatory nutrition information on pre‑packed food labels
Unlimited fineIf you put food into a pre‑packed form for sale, you must show a nutrition declaration on the pack that lists the energy value and the amounts of fat, saturated fat, carbohydrate, sugars, protein and salt. You may also add other nutrients if you wish, and you can repeat a limited set of this information in certain cases. Some specific product categories have reduced requirements, but the basic list is compulsory.
Provide required food information for foods sold to consumers
Unlimited fineIf you sell food to the public or to mass‑catering services, you must attach the mandatory labelling and information (ingredients, allergens, nutrition, quantity, etc.) as set out in the food information regulation. In practice this means your packaging, menus or any other consumer‑facing information must meet those rules before the food reaches the customer.
Sell existing non‑compliant food stock only until exhausted and keep future foods compliant
If you put food on the market or labelled it before the cut‑off dates (13 Dec 2014, 13 Dec 2016 or 1 Jan 2014) and it does not meet the new labeling rules, you can keep selling it only while you still have stock. After those dates you must not place any further non‑compliant foods on the market, and any voluntary nutrition information supplied between Dec 2014 and Dec 2016 must follow the specified nutrition‑label rules.
Show ingredient quantities on food labels where required
If an ingredient (or group of ingredients) is part of the product name, is highlighted on the label, or is essential to describe the food, you must state how much of it is in the product. This means adding the percentage or amount of that ingredient to the ingredient list on every pack you sell.
Show net quantity on food labels using correct units
Unlimited fineYou must put the net quantity (the amount of product in the pack) on the label of every pre‑packed food you sell. Use litres, centilitres or millilitres for liquids and kilograms or grams for all other foods. This lets consumers see exactly how much they are buying.
Other requirements 1
Provide mandatory food information for non‑prepacked foods
Unlimited fineIf you sell food that isn’t pre‑packaged, you must give the consumer the mandatory details listed in Article 9(1)(c) (e.g., name of the food, allergens, quantity, etc.) at the point of sale or on request. You don’t have to give the optional details unless a national rule makes them compulsory.
Penalties for non-compliance
10 penalties under this legislation. 10 carry an unlimited fine.
Ensure voluntary food info does not crowd out mandatory info
Unlimited fine
Express nutrition values per 100 g or 100 ml and show reference intake % on labels
Unlimited fine
Label any special storage or use conditions on food packaging
Unlimited fine
Provide complete ingredient list on food labels
Unlimited fine
Provide country of origin on food labels
Unlimited fine
Provide mandatory food information on identity, health and nutrition
Unlimited fine
Provide mandatory nutrition information on pre‑packed food labels
Unlimited fine
Provide required food information for foods sold to consumers
Unlimited fine
Show net quantity on food labels using correct units
Unlimited fine
Provide mandatory food information for non‑prepacked foods
Unlimited fine
Practical guidance
Our guides explain how to comply with the requirements above.
Sections and provisions
75 classified provisions from this legislation.
Duties 23
- s.3 General objectives
- s.4 Principles governing mandatory food information generally accepted benefits
- s.6 Basic requirement food intended for supply
- s.8 Responsibilities changes they make
- s.10 Additional mandatory particulars for specific types or categories of foods
- s.12 Availability and placement of mandatory food information
- s.15 Language requirements Paragraph 1
- s.18 List of ingredients
- s.21 Labelling of certain substances or products causing allergies or intolerances
- s.22 Quantitative indication of ingredients
- s.23 Net quantity
- s.24 Minimum durability date, ‘use by’ date and date of freezing
- s.25 Storage conditions or conditions of use
- s.26 Country of origin or place of provenance
- s.27 Instructions for use
- s.30 Content
- s.32 Expression per 100 g or per 100 ml
- s.34 Presentation
- s.35 Additional forms of expression and presentation
- s.36 Applicable requirements such information
- ... and 3 more duties
Powers 6
- s.39 National measures on additional mandatory particulars
- s.46 Amendments to the Annexes
- s.51 Type C regulations: general
- Type C, D and E regulations: the Secretary of Stat Type C, D and E regulations: the Secretary of State
- Type D regulations: general Type D regulations: general
- Type E regulations: general Type E regulations: general
Definitions 7
- s.2 Definitions
- CONVERSION FACTORS CONVERSION FACTORS
- EXPRESSION AND PRESENTATION OF NUTRITION DECLARATI EXPRESSION AND PRESENTATION OF NUTRITION DECLARATION
- REFERENCE INTAKES REFERENCE INTAKES
- SPECIFIC DEFINITIONS SPECIFIC DEFINITIONS
- SUBSTANCES OR PRODUCTS CAUSING ALLERGIES OR INTOLE SUBSTANCES OR PRODUCTS CAUSING ALLERGIES OR INTOLERANCES
- Type C and D Regulations: the Scottish Ministers Type C and D Regulations: the Scottish Ministers
Exemptions 15
- s.9 List of mandatory particulars
- s.13 Presentation of mandatory particulars
- s.14 Distance selling
- s.16 Omission of certain mandatory particulars
- s.19 Omission of the list of ingredients
- s.20 Omission of constituents of food from the list of ingredients
- s.29 Relationship with other legislation
- s.49 Amendments to Regulation (EC) No 1924/2006
- s.55 Entry into force and date of application
- DATE OF MINIMUM DURABILITY, ‘USE BY’ DATE AND DATE DATE OF MINIMUM DURABILITY, ‘USE BY’ DATE AND DATE OF FREEZING
- FOODS FOR WHICH THE LABELLING MUST INCLUDE ONE OR FOODS FOR WHICH THE LABELLING MUST INCLUDE ONE OR MORE ADDITIONAL PARTICULARS
- INDICATION AND DESIGNATION OF INGREDIENTS INDICATION AND DESIGNATION OF INGREDIENTS
- NAME OF THE FOOD AND SPECIFIC ACCOMPANYING PARTICU NAME OF THE FOOD AND SPECIFIC ACCOMPANYING PARTICULARS
- NET QUANTITY DECLARATION NET QUANTITY DECLARATION
- QUANTITATIVE INDICATION OF INGREDIENTS QUANTITATIVE INDICATION OF INGREDIENTS