Trading Standards Fact Sheet 05
The Food Labelling Regulations 1996
The Meat Products And Spreadable Fish Products Regulations 1984
Meat Pies, Including Meat Puddings, Meat And Potato Pies, Sausage Rolls, Potato And Meat Pies etc.
- What meat content are these products required to contain by law?
- How should the product be labelled?
- Where should the details appear?
- How should prepacked pies be marked?
- What happens if the products or labels are not correct - will I commit an offence?
What meat content are these products required to contain by law?
The requirements are given in the table below: -
| Food | Weight Of Food | Meat Content Required | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Cooked | Uncooked | ||
| Meat Pie Meat Pudding Melton Mowbray Pie Game Pie Any other pie or pudding qualified by the name of meat or cured meat |
Less than 100g | 19% minimum | 16% minimum |
| 100g to 200g | 21% minimum | 18%minimum | |
| Over 200g | 25% minimum | 21%minimum | |
| Sausage Roll, Pastry or Pastie, Bridie Any pie or pudding qualified by the word "meat" or the name of a type of meat or cured meat and also by the name of a food other than meat or cured meat eg. Steak and Onion, Meat and Potato, Chicken and Mushroom |
Any Weight | 12.5% minimum | 10.5% minimum |
| Any pie or pudding qualified by the word "meat" or the name of a type of meat or cured meat preceded by the word "vegetable" or the name of a type of vegetable e.g. Potato and Meat | Any Weight | 10% minimum | 8% minimum |
| Scottish Pie Scotch Pie |
Any Weight | 20% minimum | 17% minimum |
In All Cases, Whether Cooked Or Uncooked, At Least 50 % Of The Required Meat Content Must Be Lean
How should the product be labelled?
Non-prepacked pies and pies prepacked on the premises where they are sold should be labelled with: -
- Name e.g. Chicken and Mushroom Pie
- A declaration of minimum meat content e.g. minimum 12.5% meat
- If the pies contain any of the following additives - antioxidant, artificial sweetener, colour, flavour enhancer, flavouring, preservative, their presence must be declared.
Where should the details appear?
On a notice or ticket displayed next to the food or on a label attached to the food.
How Should Prepacked Pies Be Marked?
With the following information: -
- A minimum meat content declaration
- Name of food
- List of ingredients
- An indication of minimum durability
- Any special storage condition and condition for use
- The name and address of packer, manufacturer or seller
- Particulars of place of origin in certain circumstances
- Instruction for use
Please note that these products require comprehensive labels to ensure compliance with the law. You should therefore, consult the Fact Sheet No 1 on the labelling of prepacked foods and your local Trading Standards Office before having any labels printed.
What happens if the products or labels are not correct - will I commit an offence?
Yes. Failure to comply could result in a fine of up to £5,000 for each contravention.
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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. |
| Contact Information | |
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 Trading Standards Tameside MBC Council Offices Wellington Road Ashton under Lyne Lancs OL6 6DL View local map 
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 0161 342 8355
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