What Information Is Mandatory on a Food Label in the EU?

For most prepacked foods sold to consumers in the European Union, Regulation (EU) No 1169/2011 sets a core list of mandatory particulars. Product-specific rules can add more requirements, so this is the starting checklist rather than a substitute for a product-by-product review.

The required information must be accurate, clear, easy to understand, visible and legible. Mandatory information also has to be provided in the appropriate language for the market where the product is sold.

The core EU checklist

The main particulars are: the name of the food; the list of ingredients; allergens or substances causing intolerances; the quantity of certain ingredients where required; net quantity; best-before or use-by date; special storage conditions or conditions of use; the name/business name and address of the responsible food business operator; origin or provenance where required; instructions for use where necessary; alcoholic strength for beverages above 1.2% alcohol by volume; and a nutrition declaration.

Specific foods can require additional statements under Annex III or other EU legislation.

Allergens and nutrition need special attention

Allergens from the EU list must be clearly emphasised within the ingredient information. For most prepacked foods, the nutrition declaration includes energy, fat, saturates, carbohydrate, sugars, protein and salt.

Foreign-market labels often fail because the information is present but formatted according to the home-country rules rather than the EU rules.

Claims are a second compliance layer

Statements such as high protein, source of fibre, sugar free or health-related messages are governed by separate nutrition and health-claims rules. A claim that is permitted in Canada or the US is not automatically permitted in the EU.

Review every visible claim on the front, back, lid, multipack and digital product page.

C&C Brokers compliance review

C&C Brokers can compare your existing artwork and technical file against the target EU markets, identify missing information, and prepare a practical correction plan before you ship commercial stock.

Related guide: https://www.ccbrokers.fr/en/post/eu-beverage-labelling-requirements-a-complete-checklist-for-exporters

Sources

European Commission — mandatory food information: https://food.ec.europa.eu/food-safety/labelling-and-nutrition/food-information-consumers-legislation/mandatory-food-information_en

European Commission — nutrition labelling: https://food.ec.europa.eu/food-safety/labelling-and-nutrition/food-information-consumers-legislation/nutrition-labelling_en

Related C&C guides

Private Label Sourcing in Europe: What Importers Should Check

From Australia to Europe: A Practical Compliance Roadmap for Food & Beverage Suppliers