Getting food labelling right can be complex. Food manufacturers must consider legal requirements, product-specific rules and industry best practice before bringing packaged food to market.

Clear and accurate food labels help customers understand what they are buying. They provide important information about ingredients, allergens, nutrition, storage and product suitability, allowing consumers to make informed choices.

Incorrect, incomplete or misleading food labelling can lead to complaints, product withdrawals and enforcement action. In serious cases, businesses may face prosecution. Reviewing the relevant requirements before designing and printing your labels can help you avoid expensive mistakes.

In England, Wales and Northern Ireland, the Food Standards Agency provides guidance on food labelling and safety. Food Standards Scotland performs this role in Scotland. Businesses should also be aware that some requirements differ between Great Britain and Northern Ireland.

Essential food labelling requirements

The information required will depend on the product, how it is packaged and where it is sold. Most prepacked food labels will need to include:

• The legal or customary name of the food
• A complete ingredients list, generally shown in descending order by weight
• Allergens emphasised within the ingredients list, in line with the recognised 14 allergens
• The percentage of certain highlighted or characterising ingredients, where required
• The net quantity of the food
• A best before or use by date, as appropriate
• Any necessary storage conditions
• Instructions for use when the product cannot be used correctly without them
• The name and address of the responsible food business operator
• The country of origin or place of provenance, where required
• A nutritional declaration, unless an exemption applies
• The alcoholic strength for drinks containing more than 1.2 per cent alcohol by volume

Some products require additional information. This may include warning statements, freezing dates or details about specific ingredients and production methods. Businesses should check the current rules that apply to their product category and intended market.

Make mandatory information easy to read

Required information must be clear, legible and easy for customers to find. It should not be hidden, obscured or interrupted by other artwork or packaging elements.

Minimum text-size rules also apply. Mandatory information generally requires an x-height of at least 1.2 mm, although a smaller minimum of 0.9 mm may apply where the packaging’s largest surface has an area below 80 cm².

Good food label design should balance legal compliance with an attractive, accessible layout. Leaving enough room for mandatory information at the artwork stage can prevent costly redesigns later.

Food labelling legislation and official guidance can change, so always check the latest requirements before approving your packaging for print. Where necessary, seek specialist legal or regulatory advice for your product.

Natasha's Law

Natasha's Law came into effect on 1 October 2021 and was introduced to provide greater protection for people with food allergies. The legislation requires food businesses to provide full ingredients labelling on prepacked foods for direct sale (PPDS).

The law was introduced following the tragic death of Natasha Ednan-Laperouse, who suffered a fatal allergic reaction after eating a baguette that contained sesame but was not labelled with the full ingredients. The requirements help people with allergies identify allergens and make safer, more informed choices when purchasing food.

Additional rules for specific food types

In addition to the general food labelling requirements, certain products have additional rules that businesses need to consider. These include:

• Alcoholic beverages
• Products containing high levels of caffeine
• Foods containing certain additives, chemicals or gases
• Foods containing sweeteners
• Frozen meat, frozen unprocessed fish and frozen meat preparations

Some food products also have their own specific labelling requirements, alongside the general requirements outlined above. These include bread and flour, chocolate, infant foods, jam, spreads and margarine, sugars and natural mineral water.

If you are producing or selling food products, it is important to check the latest requirements that apply to your specific product before creating and printing your labels.

Bring your food labels to life

Once you have gathered the required information and chosen a design direction, our experienced team can help bring your food labels to life. We can work with your existing artwork or provide a complete design and branding service.

We can also recommend suitable label materials, printing methods, colours and specialist finishes to complement your product and help it stand out.

Looking for the right labels for your products? Request a free sample pack or a free, no-obligation quote today – contact us online, call 01277 364964 or email our team.