The Food Labelling Regulations 1996

The Meat Products And Spreadable Fish Products Regulations 1984
Pastes, Pates And Spreads

• What types of food are covered by this fact sheet?
• What meat/fish etc content are these products required to contain by law?
• How should the products be labelled?
• Pastes, pates and spreads containing other foods
• Where should the details appear?
• How should prepacked products be marked?
• What happens if the products or labels are not correct - will I commit an offence?

What types of food are covered by this fact sheet?

All pastes, pates and spreads containing meat, fish, cured meat or cured fish.

What meat/fish etc content are these products required to contain by law?

Meat (or cured meat) paste - At least 70% meat (or cured meat) of which a minimum of 65% of this meat content must be lean meat.

Fish (or cured fish) paste - At least 70% fish (or cured fish)

Meat (or cured meat) pate - At least 70% meat (or cured) of which a minimum of 50% of the declared meat content must be lean meat

Fish (or cured fish) pate - At least 70% fish (or cured fish)

Meat and Fish paste - At least 70% meat and fish of which a minimum of 65% of the meat content must be lean meat.

Meat and Fish pate - At least 70% meat and fish of which 50% of the meat content must be lean meat.

If the name 'Paste' or 'Pate' is preceded by the name of a type of meat or fish, cured meat or cured fish, the food must be characterised by this named type eg Crab Paste or Pate must contain and taste of crab.

Spread - This name must be preceded by the name of a type of meat or fish, cured meat or cured fish eg Beef Spread, Chicken Spread etc and at least 70% of the food must consist of the named meat, fish or cured fish AND in the case of meat products a minimum of 65% of the required meat content must be lean meat.

If the term spread is preceded by the name of a cured meat eg Ham Spread, at least 70% of the spread must consist of meat of the type from which the name type of cured meat is prepared eg Ham Spread requires at least 70% pork meat not 70% ham.

How should the products be labelled?

For non-prepared products and products prepacked on the premises from where they are sold, they should be labelled as follows:-

1. With the name eg Beef Paste, Liver Pate, Salmon Spread
2. With a declaration of the minimum meat (or fish) content eg minimum 70% meat (or fish). The word meat (or fish) may be replaced by the name of the type of meat (or fish) used in the products.
3. With the declaration of any of the following categories of additives contained in the product - Antioxidant, Sweeteners, Colour, Flavour enhancer, Flavourings, preservative.
4. Products prepacked on the premises from where they are sold have to be marked with an appropriate quantity marking.

Pastes, pates and spreads containing other foods

Products with no meat content are not covered by this fact sheet ie Cheese Spread, Tomato Paste etc. But if products contain meat/fish with other food then the above requirements apply. For example:-

Sardine and Tomato Spread must contain a minimum of 70% sardine. Beef and Onion Spread must contain a minimum of 70% beef. Liver and Onion Pate must contain a minimum of 70% meat. But Cheese Spread with Ham or Tomato Paste with Beef do not have to comply with the requirements for minimum meat content but they do have to be labelled or marked with their minimum meat/fish content eg Cheese Spread with Ham minimum 15% meat.

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 products be marked?

They must be marked with:-

1. A minimum meat content declaration
2. Name of food
3. List of ingredients
4. The appropriate durability indication
5. Any special storage condition and condition for use
6. The name and address of packer, manufacturer or seller
7. Particulars of place or origin in certain circumstances
8. Instructions for use
9. An appropriate quantity marking

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 label 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