Packaging and Labelling Rules for Food and Drinks Businesses

The food and drinks industry can be a minefield of rules and regulations, and that’s no different when it comes to packaging and labelling. But it only gets more confusing when your products start expanding to international markets. 

Not only do you need appropriate labelling for your food or drink product, your packaging also needs to be made from compliant materials and meet Extended Producer Responsibility thresholds, where applicable. All this on top of incorporating your unique brand design and making your product stand out from competitors. 

In short, there’s a lot to consider before your product even hits the shelves. 

What are the rules and regulations for pre-packed food labels in Great Britain? 

If you’re selling pre-packed food or drink in Great Britain, your labels must follow strict rules laid out by the Food Standards Agency. Your food or drink product packaging design must incorporate all of the following information, covering not just nutritional details but also storage instructions and quantities. 

• Product Name: Clearly state the name of the food or drink. 
• Ingredients List: List of all ingredients, in descending order of weight.
• Allergen Information: Highlight any of the 14 recognised allergens present.
• Quantitative Ingredient Declaration (QUID): Indicate the percentage of any ingredients emphasised in the product name or description.
• Net Quantity: Specify the total weight or volume of the product.
• Storage Conditions and Usage Instructions: Provide necessary storage guidelines and preparation instructions.
• Date Marking: Include a ‘best before’ or ‘use by’ date as appropriate.
• Name and Address of Food Business Operator (FBO): As of January 1, 2024, a UK address is required for products sold in Great Britain.
• Country of Origin: Indicate the origin, especially for products where omission could mislead consumers.​

If you miss out on any of these you risk hefty fines, product recalls, or having your stock pulled from shelves entirely – which isn’t exactly great for your brand reputation! 

What are the rules and regulations for non-prepackaged food labels in Great Britain? 

Labelling rules for non-prepacked foods are a bit different, but follow the same basic principles of consumer protection and product transparency. Non-prepacked just means any items sold loose or packaged at the customers’ request.

• Product Name: State the name of the food, and use the legal name if one exists.
• Allergen Information: This can be given verbally, but you must make it clear where customers can get that information. Written allergen information is best practice.
• Meat Content Declaration: If your product contains meat, you’ll need to accurately declare the percentage.
• Irradiated Food Statement: If applicable to the product or any ingredients used, this must be clearly stated.

And don’t forget, for any non-prepackaged food sold online, over the phone, or via mail order, allergen information must be available to the consumer both before the purchase is completed and at the point of delivery. 

How can I make sure my food packaging materials follow British regulations?

Food and drink packaging isn’t just about shelf appeal (though that’s pretty important, too). It also needs to be safe and traceable, and suitable for contact with consumable goods.  

When selecting packaging materials for food or drink products, remember the following criteria:

• Food Contact Safe: The material must be safe for direct contact with food. Look for the wine glass and fork symbol, which indicates compliance with food safety standards.
• Compliance Documentation:  You need to obtain and retain documentation that shows the material complies with food contact regulations. This is especially important for plastics, ceramics, and cellophane.
• Traceability: You need to be able to show where all packaging materials came from, including supplier details and batch numbers. 
• No Contamination: Packaging must not leach anything that could affect the safety, taste, or smell of the product.
• Follow GMP: All packaging materials must be produced in facilities that follow Good Manufacturing Practice regulations. 

The goal here is keeping your customers safe. You don’t just need to follow these rules – you should actually want to! 

What is Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR) and why is it important?

When it comes to packaging, regulation doesn’t just cover what goes into your product, but also what happens after it’s binned. The Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR) scheme keeps companies accountable for the environmental impact of their packaging materials and waste products. 

If your business turns over at least £1 million and handles over 25 tonnes of packaging a year, you’re responsible for tracking, reporting, and paying for the environmental impact of everything your brand puts on the shelf. You’re responsible for:

• Data Collection: Recording the types and amounts of packaging you supply.
• Annual Reporting: Submitting this data through the government portal. 
• Fee Payments: {Paying registration and recycling fees based on materials and volumes. 
• Recycling Evidence: Purchasing PRNs or PERNs to prove compliance, when needed.

Between mandatory labelling, material compliance, and environmental responsibility, British food and drink packaging is a whole ecosystem of its own. But if you nail the essentials early, you can avoid expensive setbacks later. 

Remember, it’s not just box ticking; by being compliant you’re building trust, boosting sustainability creds, and setting your brand up to scale with confidence.

International food and drink labelling standards

Expanding your brand to international markets is exciting, but each region has its own playbook when it comes to packing and labelling rules. 

European Union (EU)

The EU enforces comprehensive labelling rules to protect consumers and help them make informed decisions. They include mandatory front-of-pack labelling using systems such as Nutri-Score and clear allergen information.

There are also specific language requirements depending upon where you plan to sell your product, and all information must be in a language that can be easily understood by consumers in the target market. 

Finally, all packaging must be designed for recyclability, and have clear labelling to help consumers understand how to recycle the packaging. 

United States (US)

In the US, the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) oversees food labelling and packaging standards, and every pre-packaged consumable product must feature a Nutrition Facts Panel and full ingredient list. 

Allergens are a central focus of American labelling regulation, with the Food Allergen Labeling and Consumer Protection Act (FALCPA) specifically targeting the issue. This does only require 8 major allergens (compared to the UK’s 14). 

South America 

Several South American countries have taken a bold, no-nonsense approach to food labelling in recent years – especially when it comes to tackling obesity and poor diet, which are key regional concerns. 

Chile led the charge with its black octagonal warning labels, which highlight products high in sugar, saturated fats, sodium or calories. These must be displayed clearly on the front of the pack. Mexico and Colombia have since also followed suit with similar systems. 

These high-visibility labels are mandatory, so if you’re exporting to these markets, be prepared to redesign your packaging to fit the visual and regulatory requirements.

Africa 

Common food labelling standards in African countries generally include clear ingredient lists, allergen warnings, and accurate nutrition panels. Across the continent, food labelling regulations currently vary widely from country to country, but there is a growing focus on standardisation and public health. 

Countries like South Africa, Kenya, and Nigeria have adopted or proposed front-of-pack nutrition labelling that falls in line with WHO guidance – a shift that will likely influence packaging design for brands trading across the region. 

Asia 

Asia is a mixed regulatory landscape – with some countries adopting progressive labelling standards, while others remain in early-stage development.

Japan and South Korea have long-established labelling laws, with detailed nutrition information and allergen declarations as standard; and China introduced mandatory nutrition labels on pre-packaged foods in 2023, alongside QR code tracking for food safety. 

Meanwhile, countries like India, Thailand, and Indonesia are embracing colour-coded front-of-pack systems and warning labels to highlight excess salt, sugar and fat.

Long story short? If your brand plans to enter Asian markets, it’s worth investing in region-specific packaging variants that tick both legal and cultural boxes.

World Health Organisation (WHO) packaging and labelling guidelines

The WHO supports interpretive labelling systems that help consumers make quick, informed decisions. Whilst the organisation doesn’t directly regulate food labelling, its guidelines influence how countries shape their policies. 

As of 2025, the WHO continues to push for widespread adoption of clear front of pack labelling, particularly highlighting sugar, fat and salt content in low- and middle-income countries. 

Clear nutrition labelling can support broader public health efforts. For brands that are trading internationally, aligning with the various regional standards isn’t just good ethics; it’s good business. 

Let’s get your product shelf-ready…

From unique packaging design that stands out on shelves to nailing regulatory details, we can help you design packaging that performs visually and legally. Get in touch to find out more!