Food Label Regulations and Why They’re Crucial for Your Business

In today’s competitive food market, labels do much more than display a brand or a logo. They inform, protect, and influence – providing essential details that consumers need to make safe and informed decisions. For UK-based food businesses, complying with food label regulations isn’t just best practice – it’s the law.

UK food label regulations require clear ingredient lists, allergen declarations, and nutritional information to ensure consumer safety and legal compliance. Accurate food labelling protects your customers, prevents costly fines, and builds brand trust—making it essential for any business selling pre-packed or PPDS food products in the UK.

In this blog, we’ll walk through the key food labelling regulations in the UK, explain why they matter to your business, and show how accurate, high-quality labels can protect your brand and customers alike.

Why Food Labels Matter: More Than Just a Legal Requirement

Food labels are often the first point of contact between a consumer and your product. They hold immense power over whether someone decides to make a purchase – or not. More than that, food labels serve several critical functions:

1. Consumer Trust and Transparency

Customers rely on packaging to assess whether a product suits their dietary preferences or health needs. Labels provide nutritional details, list allergens, and offer guidance on use and storage – helping consumers make safe and informed choices.

2. Health and Safety

Clear and accurate allergen information is critical for those with food allergies or intolerances. Mislabelled products can cause serious harm, which is why stringent laws are in place to protect consumers.

3. Legal Protection and Market Access

Following the correct labelling standards shields your business from fines, legal action, or forced recalls. It also ensures your products are accepted on retail shelves, in online marketplaces, and in export markets.

4. Brand Identity and Professionalism

Your label communicates your values. A well-designed, regulation-compliant label helps build a sense of quality, professionalism, and reliability – essential traits for any brand hoping to grow customer loyalty.

UK Food Labelling Regulations: A Summary

Food labelling in the UK is governed by a combination of domestic laws and retained EU legislation post-Brexit. Key authorities include:

• The Food Standards Agency (FSA)

• DEFRA (Department for Environment, Food & Rural Affairs)

• Local authority Trading Standards departments
  
  

Regulations vary depending on whether food is:

• Pre-packed (packaged before being offered for sale)

• Non-pre-packed (loose or packaged at the consumer’s request)

• PPDS (Prepacked for Direct Sale – packaged on-site before being sold directly to the consumer)

The core regulation for most businesses is the Food Information Regulations 2014, which outline what must be included on food labels and how it should be displayed.

What Must Be Included on Food Labels (Legal Requirements)

Whether you run a large-scale food production business or a local bakery selling homemade goods, your labels need to comply with the following mandatory elements:

1. Name of the Food

The name must be clear and descriptive. If there’s a legal name (e.g. "milk chocolate"), it must be used.

2. Ingredients List

All ingredients must be listed in descending order by weight, as added at the time of manufacture.

3. Allergen Information

The 14 recognised allergens must be clearly indicated, usually in bold or capital letters within the ingredients list.

4. Use-by or Best-before Date

These provide essential safety and quality information and must be used correctly depending on the product type.

5. Storage Conditions

If specific storage conditions are required for safety or quality, they must be stated clearly.

6. Name and Address of Food Business Operator

This should be a UK or EU-based business responsible for the product.

7. Country of Origin

Only required when omission could mislead – for example, if branding implies a different origin.

8. Net Quantity

Weight or volume must be stated using metric units (e.g. grams, litres).

9. Nutritional Declaration

Mandatory for most pre-packed foods, nutritional labels must include energy value, fat, saturates, carbohydrate, sugars, protein, and salt per 100g or 100ml.

Allergen Labelling: A Key Priority

Food allergy sufferers rely on accurate labelling to stay safe. The UK law recognises 14 allergens that must always be declared, including:

• Milk

• Eggs

• Peanuts

• Tree nuts

• Fish

• Shellfish

• Celery

• Mustard

• Sesame

• Soybeans

• Sulphites

• Lupin

• Gluten-containing cereals

• Molluscs
  
  

Natasha’s Law and PPDS Foods

Since October 2021, Natasha’s Law requires full ingredient and allergen labelling on all Prepacked for Direct Sale foods. This applies to businesses such as cafes, sandwich shops, or bakeries where food is packaged and sold on-site.

Labelling for these products must be printed and visible on the packaging – not just provided verbally or on display boards.

Consequences of Non-Compliance

Failing to comply with food labelling regulations can have serious repercussions:

• Legal Penalties – Fines or prosecution from Trading Standards or Environmental Health

• Product Recalls – A costly and damaging process for any brand

• Reputation Loss – Loss of consumer trust can impact sales long-term

• Consumer Harm – Health risks or allergic reactions can lead to litigation

For small businesses in particular, even a single mistake can be enough to cause financial strain and reputational damage.

The Role of High-Quality Labels in Compliance

Beyond the legal requirements, the quality of your printed labels matters. A smudged, peeling or faded label doesn’t just look unprofessional – it can make vital information unreadable and non-compliant.

Why High-Quality Printed Labels Are Essential:

• Durability – Resistant to moisture, temperature, and handling

• Clarity – Sharp print and legible fonts

• Correct Sizing – Enough space to clearly display mandatory information

• Custom Branding – Balance regulatory needs with unique brand design

CDM Labels: Supporting Food Businesses with Compliant Labelling

At CDM Labels, we understand the complexity of food labelling compliance – and how vital it is to get it right. Our printed label solutions are:

• Completely customisable to fit your packaging and branding

• Regulation-friendly, ensuring enough space for ingredients, allergens, barcodes, and nutritional data

• Barcode and QR-ready for traceability and smart labelling features

• Available in various finishes and materials suitable for chilled, frozen, or ambient products

Whether you need labels for ready meals, sauces, baked goods, or artisan products, we’ll help you strike the perfect balance between regulation and visual appeal.

Best Practices for Food Labelling Compliance

Complying with the rules doesn’t need to be complicated – especially when you embed best practices into your packaging process:

• Stay Up-to-Date: Regulations can change. Make regular reviews part of your compliance plan.

• Check Ingredients Regularly: Reformulations must be reflected in the label.

• Invest in High-Quality Labels: Smudging or fading could result in legal issues.

• Prioritise Allergen Visibility: Emphasise allergens in bold and make the font large enough.

• Train Your Team: Staff involved in food prep, packaging, or design should understand labelling laws.

Final Thoughts: Why You Can’t Afford to Get Labelling Wrong

Food labelling is far more than a box-ticking exercise. It's a powerful tool that ensures safety, builds consumer confidence, and protects your brand from legal pitfalls. With accurate, well-designed labels, you’re not only staying compliant – you’re also elevating your brand’s trustworthiness.

At CDM Labels, we’re here to help food producers of all sizes get their labels right from day one. From large-volume orders to bespoke runs, our team is ready to support your business with professional, regulation-ready labelling.