Post by account_disabled on Feb 17, 2024 4:39:45 GMT -5
Few people take the time to read all the information on a product packaging. However, everything displayed on a product label is there for a specific reason, with multiple pieces of legislation in place to ensure consumers are given all the information they may need before purchasing a product. If you operate as part of a food business that produces packaged food, you need to ensure that you include all necessary information on your packaging and labels to comply with food labeling laws. In this article, we cover all legal labeling requirements and explain why this information is so important.
Name of the product All packaged Business & Consumer Email List products must have names on them to let the consumer know what they are purchasing. If the product is a single ingredient, this will be just the ingredient name or the product may have a branded name. If a product's name does not give enough information about what it actually is, a description is also necessary to let the consumer know what they are purchasing. For example, a pack of biscuits might be labeled 'custard creams', but under that name an explanation would be needed as to what the product actually is, for example: plain biscuits sandwiched around a custard-flavoured centre. There are some food names that are controlled by certain standards to ensure that consumers are not misled about what is actually included. Expiration date The expiration date of a food product is often referred to as the “recommended use by date”.
This must be displayed on the labels of food products to inform the consumer when the product has ceased to be safe to eat, and is often found on perishable products and foods with a short shelf life such as meat, cheese, dairy and ready meals. Non-perishable and long-lasting foods may have a 'use by' date, but are more likely to have a 'best by' date instead. This tells you when the food will be at its best quality. Most food products are perfectly safe to eat after they have passed their 'best by' date, this date is simply used by the manufacturer to say that the product may not be of the same quality as when it was purchased. In some cases, a product's 'use by' or 'best by' date may be stamped on the packaging (such as a can), but in most scenarios these dates need to be added to the label.
Name of the product All packaged Business & Consumer Email List products must have names on them to let the consumer know what they are purchasing. If the product is a single ingredient, this will be just the ingredient name or the product may have a branded name. If a product's name does not give enough information about what it actually is, a description is also necessary to let the consumer know what they are purchasing. For example, a pack of biscuits might be labeled 'custard creams', but under that name an explanation would be needed as to what the product actually is, for example: plain biscuits sandwiched around a custard-flavoured centre. There are some food names that are controlled by certain standards to ensure that consumers are not misled about what is actually included. Expiration date The expiration date of a food product is often referred to as the “recommended use by date”.
This must be displayed on the labels of food products to inform the consumer when the product has ceased to be safe to eat, and is often found on perishable products and foods with a short shelf life such as meat, cheese, dairy and ready meals. Non-perishable and long-lasting foods may have a 'use by' date, but are more likely to have a 'best by' date instead. This tells you when the food will be at its best quality. Most food products are perfectly safe to eat after they have passed their 'best by' date, this date is simply used by the manufacturer to say that the product may not be of the same quality as when it was purchased. In some cases, a product's 'use by' or 'best by' date may be stamped on the packaging (such as a can), but in most scenarios these dates need to be added to the label.
