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Labelling food in the correct language - avoid penalties!

UK Deli owner fined £1000 for not labelling products in English

10.02.2021

In the UK, it is an offence for retailers and wholesalers to supply food without English labelling. Regulation (EU) no 1169/2011 states that labels should be in a language easily understood by the consumers of the member states where a food is marketed. 

Failure to comply with trading standards law can lead to enforcement action, as seen with a deli owner in Maidenhead this week where the owner was fined £1000 for selling products not labelled in English.

Here's a brief overview of the responsibilities of retailers and wholesalers when it comes to food labelling and language on pack.

Retailer Responsibilities

Retailers in England and Wales must ensure that the food and drink they sell displays the mandatory information required by law - this needs to be in English and appear either on a label (or attached to) the packaging, or on a label clearly readable through the packaging. Labels can also have additional languages when some of the consumers are likely to be non-English speakers. 
Similarly, If you are exporting to an EU country, food labels need to be in the most appropriate language for the country you are selling to.

What about Wholesalers?

Wholesalers must ensure that the food they sell complies with the regulations if the packaging will not be changed or repackaged by the eventual retailer. For example, a wholesaler sells bottled drinks to retailers in trays, the bottles won't be repackaged or altered before reaching the end consumer. The bottled drink is therefore ready for delivery to the end consumer and must have the correct labelling in English.

Mandatory information can be supplied as described above for retailers or can be supplied on documentation provided previously or accompanying the food, however the below must appear on the external packaging:
  • Name of the food
  • Durability indication
  • Storage conditions
  • Business details
If you are considering importing food from outside the UK, you'll need to check that the labels comply with UK legislation. It is not yet known if future UK food legislation will continue to harmonise with EU regulations.

Are your labels compliant and in the correct language? If you are importing or exporting we can help you see through the Brexit haze!

*Disclaimer: The information presented in this article is a summary of key information from food regulations, and is for general information purposes only. All information is subject to change and is correct as of 10.12.2021.
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