Food Standards Agency
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Listen to this siteThe Agency regularly issues guidance to food industry representatives and other stakeholders on a range of topics, often as a result of new regulations coming into force.
The FSA is very keen to make its guidance as clear and helpful as possible. We do regular internal reviews of the format and style of our guidance, but reaction from readers is very important. Please complete this short survey to tell us how helpful you thought the FSA guidance was that you have read recently and to suggest ways we might improve it.
A UK code of practice for basmati rice has been developed.
The Bread and Flour Regulations 1998 lay down labelling and compositional standards for the breads and flours to which they apply. They also continue with a long standing national requirement to restore certain vitamins and minerals to flour manufactured and sold in the UK.
Guidance notes on the Ceramic Articles in Contact with Food Regulations (Northern Ireland) 2006
The purpose of this guidance is to help manufacturers, producers and retailers provide food label information for pre-packed foods in a clear way that is helpful to consumers, and be aware of the relevant UK food labelling legislation for pre-packed foods.
Cocoa and Chocolate Products Regulations 2003.
The Regulations make rules governing the labelling of certain preserved milk, and the manufacturing specifications to be adhered to if products are to be described by certain reserved descriptions.
This Guidance Note provides informal guidance to The Contaminants in Food Regulations (Northern Ireland) 2009 (Statutory Rule 2009 No. 220) and should be read in conjunction with the pertinent EU legislation, including European Regulation (EC) No. 1881/2006 as amended, as well as Commission Regulation (EC) No. 124/2009 and the accompanying Regulation on Sampling and Analysis for Official Controls.
The Food Standards Agency has published revised guidance for industry and enforcement authorities on country of origin labelling, as part of its continuing commitment to improve food labelling for consumers.
The Agency has revised its guidance on the use of marketing terms such as 'fresh', 'pure' and 'natural'.
Guidance notes on the Feed Law Enforcement for Northern Ireland.
The Fish Labelling Regulations 2010, which came into force on 6 April 2010, replace the 2003 regulations.
Legislation (Regulation (EC) No. 853/2004 laying down specific rules for food of animal origin) comes into operation on 1 January 2010 requiring slaughterhouse operators to ‘request, receive, check and act upon’ food chain information (FCI) for all cattle, sheep and goats sent for slaughter for human consumption.
Guidance Notes on The Food Labelling (Amendment No. 2) Regulations (Northern Ireland) 2004 and The Food Labelling (Amendment No 2) Regulations (Northern Ireland) 2005
The Food Labelling Regulations 1996
From 1 January 2010 EU food hygiene legislation required slaughterhouse operators to ‘request, receive, check and act upon’ food chain information (FCI) for all cattle, sheep and goats sent for slaughter for human consumption. The Agency has produced guidance and model forms to help food businesses.
The Food Standards Agency is responsible for this guidance in Northern Ireland and Scotland. You can see the supplements guidance and frequently asked questions about the legislation at the link below.
This note introduces advice that applies to some food supplements containing high levels of vitamins and minerals. The advice covers advisory statements to be included on labels and, in a limited number of cases, suggests reformulation.
A food for a particular nutritional use is one which owing to its special composition or process of manufacture, is clearly distinguishable from food intended for normal consumption and is sold in such a way as to indicate its suitability for its claimed particular nutritional purpose.
This guidance is to help manufacturers and producers comply with the the legislation on the voluntary addition of vitamins and minerals and certain other substances to food (fortified food). The Food Standards Agency in Scotland and in Northern Ireland have responsibility for this guidance.
EC General Food Law Regulation 178/2002
Date of publication: 22 May 2008
Guidance note for enforcement officers
The Food Standards Agency has issued guidance notes to provide advice in relation to Regulation 43 of the Official Feed and Food Controls (England) Regulations 2009. Parallel regulations apply in Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland.
Legislation comes into force on 1 January 2008 requiring slaughterhouse operators to 'request, receive, check and act upon' food chain information (FCI) for all pigs sent to the slaughterhouse.
This is a guide to regulatory compliance incorporating guidance on best practice relating to labelling of added ingredients in meat products which have the appearance of a cut, joint, slice, portion or carcass of meat or of cured meat, whether cooked or uncooked. In this guidance such meat products are referred to as appearing like 'whole meats'.
This guidance note provides informal, non-binding guidance on legislation relating to spreadable fats and other yellow fats and help enforcement authorities to identify and take action on misleading labelling. It replaces previous guidance on the labelling of spreadable fats and other yellow fat spreads.
This guidance note provide informal, non-binding guidance on compliance with the regulations by industry, and to aid the enforcement of legislation relating to the protection of definitions and designations used in the marketing of milk and milk products.
Guidance notes issued in December 2006
This guidance is aimed primarily at businesses (including SMEs, which may either use the guidance directly or learn about it via trade associations or enforcement authority contacts) that manufacture, use, import or sell materials and articles made from plastic that are intended for use in contact with food.
There is no definition in law of the terms 'vegetarian' or 'vegan' either at UK or European level. This document identifies the legislation relevant to the use of these terms, other legislation relevant to ingredient listing of animal products and provides advice on labelling foods as 'suitable for vegetarians' / 'vegetarian' or 'suitable for vegans' / 'vegan'.
DARD Veterinary Service, Veterinary Public Health Unit (DARD VPHU) carry out Meat Hygiene Official controls in approved slaughterhouses, game handling establishments and cutting plants in Northern Ireland on behalf of the Food Standards Agency.
Published August 2010
The Honey Regulations 2003 implement the provisions of EC Directive 2001/110 relating to honey.
The Jam and Similar Products Regulations came into force in England on 31 December 2003 and separate analogous legislation was put in place in January 2004 in Northern Ireland and in March 2004 in Wales and Scotland.
Commission Directive 2001/101/EC amends the Food Labelling Directive (2000/13/EC), and introduces a European generic definition of meat for the purposes of labelling. The definition puts meat ingredient declarations in meat products on the same basis throughout the European Union, providing consumers with consistent and more transparent information.
Food (Lot Marking) Regulations 1996
Guidance on the interpretation and implementation of certain aspects of EU Regulation 767/2009 on the marketing and use of animal feed.
These guidance notes are designed for bakers and similar small businesses that make and sell meat products.
A practical guide for milk producers in Northern Ireland to the requirements of the Food Hygiene Regulations (Northern Ireland) 2006.
This question and answer (Q&A) provides advice on the requirements of the EC Feed Hygiene Regulation (183/2005). The guidance has been updated to take into account latest developments and in response to stakeholder comments.
Guidance is available on the recognition, exploitation, bottling and labelling rules for natural mineral water, spring water and bottled drinking water in the UK.
The Agency in Northern Ireland retains the lead with bottled water policy. The list of natural mineral waters recognised in the UK can be found at the link below.
The Food Standards Agency in Northern Ireland and Scotland is responsible for this guidance,which is intended to help food businesses comply with the nutrition and health claims regulation (EC) 1924/2006.
The Food Labelling Regulations 1996 (FLR).
This guidance has been produced for feed and food businesses, many of which are small or medium sized enterprises. It is also aimed at bodies responsible for the enforcement of Regulation (EC) 852/2004 and Regulation (EC) 183/2005.
Food Labelling Regulations 1996, as amended by the Food Labelling (Amendment) Regulations 1998 and the Food Labelling (Amendment) (No. 2) Regulations 1999.
The Regulations came into force in England and Northern Ireland on 12 July 2003. Analagous Regulations are anticipated to be brought into force in Scotland and Wales around November 2003.
The Agency has recently published The Food Safety Order 1991: A Guide for Food Businesses.
Guidance on use-by and best before dates.
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