Pre-packed Indian foods sold to consumers in the EU must be labelled under Regulation (EU) No 1169/2011 on food information to consumers. It sets the mandatory details, how allergens are shown and minimum text size.
An Indian label that meets FSSAI rules will not meet EU rules as it stands. Plan an EU label, or an EU sticker, from the start. Bulk ingredients sold to manufacturers follow lighter rules, but pre-packed retail goods need the full set.
Mandatory details
- The name of the food, a legal or descriptive name rather than just a brand.
- The ingredients list, in descending order of weight.
- Allergens emphasised within the ingredients list, for example in bold.
- The quantity of key ingredients (QUID) where an ingredient is named or pictured, such as mango in a mango pickle.
- Net quantity.
- A best before or use by date.
- Special storage conditions or conditions of use.
- The name and address of the food business operator responsible in the EU, usually the importer.
- Country of origin where its absence could mislead, or where specific rules require it.
- Instructions for use where needed, such as for ready-to-cook mixes.
- A nutrition declaration, with limited exemptions.
Language and legibility
Mandatory information must be in a language easily understood by consumers in the member state where it is sold. That usually means the official language. There is a minimum font size, with a smaller one allowed for very small packs. A label printed only in English and Gujarati will not do for Germany or France.
The 14 allergens
The EU lists 14 allergens that must be declared: cereals containing gluten, crustaceans, eggs, fish, peanuts, soybeans, milk, nuts, celery, mustard, sesame, sulphites above a set level, lupin and molluscs. Indian foods often contain mustard, sesame, peanuts, milk and wheat. Asafoetida is often compounded with wheat flour, which brings gluten into products that seem gluten free. See how to check processed foods for allergens.
Additives and colours
Additives are named by category and either their name or E number. Certain synthetic colours need an extra warning about effects on activity and attention in children. Each additive must be authorised for that food category in the EU, which is a separate check from labelling. Rules change, so confirm the current position with your national food authority before you print.
The UK has its own retained version of these rules and its own requirements for the operator address. Check UK labels separately. A general guide to setting product details is in how to write a good specification.
How Creston & Co handles this
We check that the factory's ingredient and allergen data match what will go on your EU label. We also confirm that printed labels or stickers match your approved artwork before cartons are sealed. Legal review stays with your own adviser. Start with a free sourcing review.