All prepackaged food must have a label that includes specific mandatory information. Food products are subject to general labeling regulations, and any information provided must be truthful, clear, and not misleading.

Certain foods are controlled by product specific regulations (Opens in a new window) and they include:

• bread and flour
• cocoa and chocolate products
• soluble coffee
• milk products
• honey
• fruit juices and nectars
• infant formula
• jams and marmalade
• meat products – sausages, burgers and pies
• fish
• natural mineral waters
• spreadable fats
• sugars
• irradiated food
• foods containing genetic modification (GM)

The name of the food must be clearly stated on the packaging and not be misleading. If there is a name prescribed in law this must be used. 

In the absence of a legal name, a customary name can be used. This might be a name that has become commonly understood by consumers and established over time such as ‘BLT’ for a bacon, lettuce and tomato sandwich.

If there is no customary name or it is not used, a descriptive name of the food must be provided. This must be sufficiently descriptive to inform the consumer of the true nature of the food and to enable it to be distinguished from products with which it might otherwise be confused. Most products will fall into this category and require a descriptive name.

If your food product has two or more ingredients (including water and additives), you must list them all under the heading ‘Ingredients’ or a suitable heading which includes the word ‘ingredients’. Ingredients must be listed in order of weight, with the main ingredient first according to the amounts that were used to make the food.

If the food has been processed in some way, the process must be included in the title, for example, ‘smoked bacon’, ‘salted peanuts’ or ‘dried fruit’. Processed food is any food that has been altered in some way during preparation.

Where a food product contains any of the 14 allergens, required to be declared by law, as ingredients, these allergens must be listed and emphasised within the ingredients list.