Trading Standards Fact Sheet 03
The Food Labelling Regulations 1996
The Bread And Flour Regulations 1995
- What does this fact sheet cover?
- What is meant by bread?
- How should the bread be labelled?
- Where should the the details appear?
- How should prepacked bread be marked?
- What should a loaf of bread weigh?
- What happens if the products or labels are incorrect - will I commit an offence?
What does this fact sheet cover?
The labelling of bread which is:-
- displayed for sale in a loose or unwrapped state
- bread prepared by retailer on the premises where it is to be sold, or from a vehicle or stall used by him.
- prepacked by a producer who is also selling the bread at other premises which have the same name as the business where it was made.
What is meant by bread?
Food made from a flour and water dough, fermented by yeast, or otherwise leavened, and subsequently baked or partly baked. It may be any size, shape or form. Other ingredients are permitted but only specified additives are allowed.
Buns, bun loaves, chapatis, chollas, pitta bread, potato bread or bread specifically prepared for coeliac suffers are not classed as bread.
How should the bread be labelled?
The food must be labelled with its name.
Bread may be described as (a) "Wholemeal" or (b) "Wheatgerm" only if:-
- the flour used as an ingredient in the preparation of the bread is wholemeal;
- the bread has an added processed wheatgerm content of not less than 10%. This percentage being calculated on the dry matter of the bread.
There is no longer a meaning given for "White ", "Brown" or "Soda" bread.
Bread which has been 'aerated' or 'partially baked' must include this in the name of the food.
If none of the aforementioned names apply, the name of the bread may be one that is customary in the area where it is sold, or a name which is sufficiently precise to describe the food. (Food Labelling Regulations, 1996).
Trade names eg Hovis or Granary cannot be used on their own, but may be included with other words in the name.
Bread, which contains any of the following types of additives:- antioxidant, all sweeteners, colour, flour improvers, flavour enhancer, flavouring, preservative must have a notice on it, which clearly tells customers which of these additives are present in that bread.
Where should the details appear?
The name and additives (if any) must be shown on a ticket or notice attached to the bread or in immediate proximity to the bread.
How should pre packed bread be marked?
The labelling requirements are more comprehensive. Reference should be made to Factsheet 1. The labelling of prepacked foods.
What should a loaf of bread weigh?
A loaf of bread should weigh 400g or a multiple of 400g (small loaf is 400g and a large loaf 800g)
What happens if the products or labels are incorrect - will I commit an offence?
Yes. Failure to comply can result in a fine of up to £5,000 for each conviction.
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This fact sheet is not comprehensive and may be subject to amendment from time to time. For more detailed information and guidance, please contact your local Trading Standards Office. We are here to help you. |
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