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What's in a name? Product legality, as UK updates food naming guidance

A spokesperson for DEFRA told us naming policies remained unchanged about using brand names, trademarks and other labelling practices.

Firms which do not comply with this policy risk a fine which varies in accordance with the severity of the offence.

Legal names, also known as 'reserved descriptions', must be used if a product meets certain conditions. For instance, a product must be labelled as ‘instant coffee’ if it is made of solid coffee extract such as granules and contains at least 95% coffee. In addition, it must only contain natural substances created during the coffee extraction process.

Food manufacturers must also avoid using names that are protected under the EU’s protected designation of origin (PDO) or protected geographical indication (PGI) system, such as Kentish ale or Stilton cheese.

The guidance notes say a customary name or descriptive name can be used if the food product does not have a legal name. It describes a customary name as “one that consumers in parts of the UK generally accept as the name of the food without it needing further explanation such as ‘toad-in-the-hole’ or ‘bakewell tart’”.

However, if manufacturers use an ingredient that differs from common expectations, such as parsley in pesto sauce rather than basil, then this must be clearly stated next to or directly under the product name. This information must be written using a font that is at least 75% of the height of the food name and has an x-height of at least 1.2 mm.  

 

You can read the full article HERE

 

Food Labelling Services comments:

The product name as a whole should provide a clear and full description of the product, and should not be misleading as to the nature, substance or quality of the product. A product name includes the product name itself, any marketing text and the legal name. There are clear regulations regarding certin product names, and these should be adhered to. The product name allows the consumer to make an informed choice as to the true nature of the product that they are buying.