EU legislation: Food labelling

If you export pre-packaged food products (e.g. packaged, tinned, bottled or wrapped baby food, coffee, cocoa, tea, fishery products, fruit juices, frozen foods, jams, honey, olive oil and wine) to the EU, you should know that all pre-packaged food sold to EU consumers and mass caterers must be labelled according to EU legislation. Although, it is usually your EU buyer who is responsible to make sure that the food products are properly labelled, it is important to familiarise yourself with the requirements.

This document provides an outline on the most important labelling requirements:

• General labelling requirements
• Allergen labelling
• Genetically Modified Food labelling
• Gluten-free labelling
• Lot marking
• Nutrition labelling
• Organic labelling
• Packaging gas, sweeteners and liquorice
• Phytosterols & Phytostanols
• Quinine and caffeine

The aforementioned labelling requirements refer to all pre-packaged food products marketed in the EU. There are also some specific labelling requirements customised to the characteristics of specific food products (e.g. cocoa and coffee, honey, olive oil and wine). Search the CBI database for any specific labelling requirements related to your product.

EU Member State legislation

Relevant Market Sectors

Coffee, tea and cocoa, Fishery products, Food ingredients, Fresh Fruit and Vegetables, Honey, beewax and sugars, Natural colours, flavours and thickeners, Organic food products, Preserved Fruit and Vegetables, Processed fruits, vegetables and nuts, Rice and pulses, Spices and Herbs, Vegetable oils and fats, Wine