Regulations for Food Packaging

First of all, I would like to investigate the legal requirements for food packaging and see what it is that products legally have to include within their packaging in order to sell to consumers. By looking into this, I can then go onto comparing the differences in foods which have more information than others and how this effects whether or not we buy the products. 

References: Food Labelling and Packaging (2014) Available at: https://www.gov.uk/food-labelling-and-packaging/overview (Accessed: 22nd May 2015).

1. Overview

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 certain basic information and list the ingredients. You might also have to show certain warnings.

There are special regulations for labelling wine.

2. Food labelling - what you must show

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
• quantity information

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

• 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

Quantity information

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. 

You don’t have to show the weight or volume on foods sold by number, eg 2 bread rolls, provided that you can clearly see the number of items inside the packaging.

Read more guidance on quantity labelling.

Information you may have to show

You must also show these if they apply to your product:

• a warning for drinks with an alcohol content above 1.2% 
• a warning if the product contains GM ingredients, unless their presence is accidental and 0.9% or less
• a warning if the product has been radiated
• the words ‘packaged in a protective atmosphere’ if the food is packaged using a packaging gas

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.

You must also show the country of origin if customers might be misled without this information, eg if the label for a pizza shows the leaning tower of Pisa but the pizza is made in the UK.

5. Nutrition, health claims and supplement labelling

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

Nutrition and health claims

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).

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

Food supplements, fortified foods and foods for specific nutritional uses

You must follow certain rules if you are manufacturing, selling or importing:

• a food supplement 
• a food fortified with vitamins and minerals

There are also specific rules for ‘parnuts foods’, eg: 

• formula milk for infants and young children
• baby food
• meal and total diet replacement for weight control
• medical foods