Food Labelling Is Legally Regulated
Food labelling in the UK is governed by the Food Information Regulations 2014 (FIR), which implement EU Regulation 1169/2011. Non-compliance can result in enforcement action, product recalls, and significant fines. If you sell any pre-packed food product, your labels must meet specific legal requirements.
Mandatory Label Information
All pre-packed food sold in the UK must display:
- Name of the food: The legal name (if one exists) or a descriptive name that tells the customer what the product is
- Ingredients list: All ingredients listed in descending order of weight at the time of manufacture. Water must be included if it exceeds 5% of the finished product
- Allergen information: The 14 major allergens must be emphasised (typically bold) within the ingredients list: celery, cereals containing gluten, crustaceans, eggs, fish, lupin, milk, molluscs, mustard, nuts, peanuts, sesame, soybeans, sulphur dioxide
- Quantitative declaration (QUID): The percentage of certain key ingredients
- Net quantity: Weight or volume in metric units
- Date marking: Use by (for perishable foods) or best before (for other foods)
- Storage conditions: How to store before and after opening
- Business name and address: The food business operator responsible for the product
- Country of origin: Required for certain products including meat, olive oil, wine, and honey
- Nutritional information: Energy, fat, saturates, carbohydrate, sugars, protein, salt per 100g/100ml
- Lot/batch number: For traceability
Allergen Labelling
Allergen information is the most critical element of food labelling from a safety perspective. The 14 declarable allergens must be clearly emphasised — typically by printing them in bold within the ingredients list. Some producers also add a separate allergen summary box.
For products made in environments where cross-contamination is possible, precautionary allergen labelling (PAL) such as May contain traces of nuts should be used — but only where a genuine risk exists, not as a blanket disclaimer.
Materials for Food Labels
Waterproof Vinyl
Essential for any food product that will be refrigerated, frozen, or exposed to moisture during handling. Paper labels absorb condensation and become illegible — unacceptable for safety-critical allergen information.
Freezer-Safe Labels
Standard adhesive can fail in freezer conditions. For frozen food products, use high tack adhesive rated to -30°C or specialist freezer-grade materials.
Oil and Grease Resistance
Food products containing oils, fats, or greasy surfaces need vinyl labels. Paper labels absorb grease and become transparent or stained.
Label Sizing for Food Products
- Jam/preserve jars (200ml): 70x50mm front label + 50mm circle lid label
- Sauce bottles (250ml): 90x50mm wrap label
- Spice jars (100ml): 60x40mm front label
- Baked goods packaging: 65x45mm or 75x50mm
- Chocolate/confectionery: Custom sized to packaging
Natashas Law
Since October 2021, Natashas Law requires all food that is pre-packed for direct sale (PPDS) — including items packed on the same premises where they are sold — to carry a full ingredients list with allergens emphasised. This applies to bakeries, delis, sandwich shops, and any food business selling wrapped items.
Design Tips
- Legibility is paramount: Minimum font size for mandatory information is 1.2mm x-height (approximately 6-7pt). For packages with a largest surface under 80cm², the minimum is 0.9mm
- Allergens must stand out: Bold is the most common method. Some brands use colour highlighting or a separate allergen box
- Leave space for date stamps: Many food producers apply use by dates after labelling using inkjet coders. Leave a clear area for this
- Barcode placement: If using barcodes, ensure adequate quiet zones around the bars and test scanning before bulk printing
Ordering Food Labels
StickerNation prints food labels on waterproof vinyl suitable for refrigerated, frozen, and ambient products. All materials are food-contact safe for external packaging labelling. Design online with our free tool or upload your own compliant artwork.