What can a manufacturer choose to put on their food label?
There are many different types of food labels out there. As a business, it can be difficult to know what type of label you need to include on your products.
There are several different factors to consider when choosing the right type of food label. The main one being who you sell your food products to. A consumer-facing food label will require different information to one for a manufacturer.
In short, no. It is a legal requirement to include information about the contents of a food item in the form of a label.
For individually packaged food the labels must be clear and on each item. For bulk items that are stored in the same container the label can be on the outside of the box.
The food label must be added onto the product before it is shipped or sold to the customer. At whatever point the food label is added to the product is up to you and your process. As long as the product leaves the facility with the correct food label you are safe.
There are key things which need to be included on a food label. It is essential that a food label is clear and easy to read. Not only that it should be permanent and easily found.
The requirements for food labels can be slightly different as mentioned previously depending on where you sell your products to.
Manufacturer food labels, or products that are sold lose you should be including the following:
Name of the food
Information on genetically modified ingredients (irradiated ingredients
Warnings
Additives that have been added
Allergens
If you sell meat items, please read more information on the .gov website.
If you are selling your food directly to consumers you will need to include the following:
Name of the food
Best before or use by dates
Any warnings
Quantity information
Full list of ingredients, including all allergens
Country of origin
Storage instructions
Cooking instructions where needed
Name and Address of the UK/EU business responsible for information on the food, or the information of the importer if the business is not in the UK
For more information on specific requirements visit the .gov website.
If your product has more than one ingredient you must list each ingredient on your food label. As well as any additives. They should be listed in weight order with the highest quality first then in descending order.
It is essential that you include any allergens which are included in your food, making these allergens stand out is also important.
The allergens are:
celery
cereals containing gluten - including wheat, rye, barley and oats
crustaceans - including prawns, crab and lobster
eggs
fish
lupin
milk
molluscs - including squid, mussels, cockles, whelks and snails
mustard
nuts
peanuts
sesame seeds
soya beans
sulphur dioxide or sulphites at levels above 10 mg per kilogram or per litre
Additional information to keep note of is:
Show the percentage of an ingredient if it is highlighted by the label or picture on the package
Show the percentage of an ingredient if it is mentioned in the name
Show the percentage of an ingredient if it is typically connected with the name by the consumer.
Labelling food incorrectly is a serious offence. The information provided on a food label needs to be accurate otherwise it could lead to serious consequences. For those with food allergies and intolerances; incorrect food labels could be devastating.
If you are unsure whether your food label is correct, always double check and reprint with the correct label.
Having the right information on your food labels is important. Here at Allergen Checker, we understand the importance of correctly labelling food and menus. Try out our online platform on a 7 day free trial to see how it can help you manage and organise your ingredients.