Trading Standards offer food businesses advice on new streamlined food laws

Warwickshire County Council’s Trading Standards Service is offering Warwickshire businesses help and advice to implement the new Food Information for Consumers Regulation (FIC) which came in to force on 13th December 2014.

Warwickshire County Councillor Les Caborn, Portfolio Holder for Community Safety said: “Warwickshire Trading Standards are here to help local businesses make sense of any new rules and regulations that might affect them. I would strongly urge local companies to take advantage of their expertise.”

Warwickshire County Councillor Richard Chattaway, Chair of the Council’s Overview and Scrutiny Committee, added: “The new regulation seeks to help food manufacturers, suppliers and retailers by combining and streamlining existing laws on food labelling and nutrition, ensuring greater consistency across Europe.”

“Consumers will benefit too from labelling that is clear, comprehensive and consistent.”

Some aspects of the regulation are being implemented now, whilst others will be introduced over the coming two years. The regulations will affect food business operators at all stages of the food chain, from manufacturers to caterers.

Businesses that sell non-prepacked foods, including restaurants and take-aways will need to declare if any of 14 allergenic ingredients are present in the food they make or serve.

Drinks with high caffeine content will have to be additionally labelled as not recommended for children or pregnant and breastfeeding women, with the actual caffeine content quoted

The types of vegetable oil used in food, such as palm oil, must be stated. Added water in certain meat and fishery products will need to be shown in the name of the food if it makes up more than 5% of the final product.

Depending on the type of food, consumers will continue to see ‘best before’ and ‘use by’ dates on pre-packed foods. The latter will be more tightly linked to food safety. Where appropriate i.e. for meat and fish, there will also be a date of first freezing shown on food labels.

A minimum font size for the mandatory information on most food labels will aid clarity.

From April 2015 the country of origin requirement will be tightened and also extended to fresh and frozen meat from pigs, sheep, goats and poultry. Information on the place of rearing and place of slaughter for these meats will also be required.

In 2016, nutrition labelling ‘back of pack’ information will become mandatory on the majority of pre-packed foods. It will also be possible to provide voluntary nutrition information in the ‘front of pack’ format on food sold loose (e.g. on deli counters) and in catering establishments. In addition, there remains scope for businesses to use Guideline Daily Amounts (GDAs) based on reference intakes specified in the regulations and (subject to certain conditions) additional forms of expression and presentation.

Alcoholic drinks will be exempted from mandatory nutrition labelling, but it will be possible for manufacturers to provide energy information on a voluntary basis.

There is more information and advice for consumers and businesses on the Food Standards Agency website: www.food.gov.uk

Businesses can also contact Warwickshire Trading Standards Service for help and advice on 03454 040505.