EU (European) Food Labeling Requirements

EU (European Union) Food Labeling Requirements

• Food Name

• List of Ingredients (including additives)

• Allergen Information

• Quantity of Specific Ingredients

• Date Marking (Best before date / Use by date)

• Country of Origin (when necessary for consumer clarity, e.g., products displaying a country's flag or famous landmarks)

• Name and Address of the Food Business Operator or Importer Established in the EU

• Net Quantity

• Special Storage and/or Usage Conditions

• Instructions for Use (if necessary)

• Alcohol Content (if the beverage contains more than 1.2% alcohol by volume)

Nutritional Information

Certain foods may require specific warnings about ingredients that are not recommended for children’s consumption (e.g., caffeine) in accordance with EU and/or national laws.

Ingredient List

The list must be titled “Ingredients” and include all ingredients in the food product.

-> Ingredients must be listed in descending order by weight.

-> Ingredients must be listed by their legal name.

-> Technical rules for ingredient listing – Appendix 7.

-> Some foods may not require an ingredient list – Article 19.

-> Specific food components not requiring inclusion in the ingredient list – Article 20.

Specific Ingredient Quantities

The percentage of certain ingredients must be mentioned:

If it appears in the product name (e.g., "Apple Pie").

If emphasized in the label through words, pictures, or graphics (e.g., "Contains Walnuts").

These details help identify the characteristics of the food and distinguish it from other products.

Foods where ingredient amounts are not required – Appendix 8.

Allergen Information

If allergens are present, they must be highlighted in the ingredient list using different fonts, font sizes, or background colors.

If there is no ingredient list, allergen information must include the word "contains" after the allergen name.

Labeling

Mandatory information must be printed using a font with at least 1.2mm x-height. If the largest surface area of the packaging is less than 80cm², a minimum x-height of 0.9mm may be used.

If the packaging surface is less than 10cm², the following information must be provided:

Name of the food

Any allergens or intolerant substances/products used during manufacturing or preparation and present in the final product

Net quantity of the food

"Best before" or "Use by" date

For further inquiries, please contact J&B Consulting.

Feel free to contact us

jay@jnbfoodconsulting.com or 714-873-5566