Labelling on foods pre-packed for direct sale.

The regulations require food businesses to provide full ingredient lists and allergen labelling on foods pre-packaged for direct sale on the business premises. Allergen information is also required to be provided to consumers when they buy loose and pre-packed food, including food from restaurants and take-aways.

New rules that came into effect from October 2021, require pre-packed for direct sale food to clearly display the following information on the packaging:

• Name of the food
• Full ingredients list with allergenic ingredients emphasised

The law also requires that consumers are given information about the presence of the main 14 food allergens in food they buy, whether it is loose or pre-packed.

Sellers of non-pre-packed food, such as restaurants and takeaways will be required by law to provide information about any of the main 14 food allergen ingredients in the food they serve.

It is estimated that almost 1 in 5 people in the UK suffer from an allergy. UK laws mean that the consumer can feel more confident to ask about allergenic ingredients in the foods that they choose.

Advice for businesses on how to comply with these new rules including downloadable posters, charts and leaflets, is available on the Food Standards Agency website. Contact our business advice team for bespoke chargeable advice.