New food labelling regulation published

The regulation combines rules on general food and nutrition labelling into a single EU regulation. Transitional arrangements set out in the FIR mean that the bulk of the requirements will not apply until 2014, with nutrition labelling becoming mandatory in 2016.

Some of the main points to be included are country of origin, nutrition labelling which will be required for most foods, a minimum font size that has been set for labelling clarity and allergen information. Meat and fish products that look like a cut, joint or slice and contain more than 5% added water will have to show this in the name of the food.