Imports from Outside the UK/EU

Food Labelling Services regularly checks labels for products that are planned to be imported into the UK from the EU, USA, China, Eastern Europe, the Far East and Australia where labelling regulations and often ingredients are conflicting with EU requirements.

Traders importing food from outside the EU need to ensure that they comply with UK & EU regulations on food hygiene and safety, and also food labelling and food composition regulations. Failure to comply could result in the shipment being detained or destroyed, and additional costs could be incurred. Where foods are pre-packed outside the EU the importer must ensure the packaging complies with EU rules on food packaging.

In the UK, food labelling must be in English and it is an offence to supply food without English labelling.

The Food Information Regulation (EU) No 1169/2011 states that, where labelling is required, it should be ‘in a language easily understood by the consumers of the Member States where a food is marketed’, so if you are exporting food products to the European Union, labelling needs to be in the most appropriate language for the country you are exporting to.

Our expert consultants can assess your imported food labels quickly to ensure they meet UK and EU legislation, to ensure that your product is suitable for the UK and EU markets. These checks will include: (list not exhaustive):

A product that is recalled due to an incorrect or non-compliant label will not only be expensive for your business, but often damaging to your brand.

With a swift and reliable approach to label checking, we can help you achieve accurate and legal food labels that your business can use with confidence. Our knowledgeable associate base has experience with a wide range of clients, and it is our aim to exceed your expectations in every project we undertake.