The Food Labelling Regulations 1996

Flour Confectionery

• What types of food are covered by this fact sheet?
• How should the products be labelled?
• How should pre packed flour confectionery be marked?
• What happens if the product or labels are not correct - will I commit an offence?

What types of food are covered by this fact sheet?

Any cooked food which is ready for consumption without further preparation (other than reheating) of which a characterising ingredient is ground cereal. It includes shortbread, sponges, crumpets, muffins, macaroons, ratafias, pastry and pastry cases, meringues, petit fours and uncooked pastry and pastry cases BUT DOES NOT include bread, pizzas, biscuits, crispbread, extruded flat bread, or any food containing a filling which has an ingredient any cheese, meat, offal, fish, shellfish, vegetable protein material or microbial protein material.

How should the products be labelled?

For

1. Unwrapped flour confectionery or
2. Flour confectionery prepacked by a retailer on the premises where it is sold, or from a vehicle or stall used by him or
3. Flour confectionery prepacked by a producer who is also selling the food at other premises which have the same name as the business where it is made or
4. Flour confectionery in a crimp case or in wholly transparent packaging which is unmarked or only marked with a price label and lot number. The food only has to be marked or labelled with an indication of any of the following categories of additives it contains:- Antioxidant, sweetener, colour, flavour enhancer, flavouring, preservative. Alternatively you can display in a prominent position near the food a notice stating that flour confectionery sold at the premises may contain such categories of additives.

For example - 'Food Labelling Regulations 1996'; Flour Confectionery sold on these premises may contain:- Antioxidant, sweetener, colour, flavour enhancer, flavouring, preservative.

How Should Prepacked Flour Confectionery Be Marked?

With the following information:-

1. Name of food
2. List of ingredients
3. The appropriate durability indication
4. Any special storage condition and condition of use
5. The name and address of packer, manufacturer or seller
6. Particulars of place of origin in certain circumstances
7. Instructions 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.

Contact Information
Send us a Message	Trading Standards Tameside MBC Council Offices Wellington Road Ashton under Lyne Lancs OL6 6DL View local map
0161 342 8355
0161 342 2288