The Food Labelling Regulations 1996

The Meat Products And Spreadable Fish Products Regulations 1984
Uncured Whole Meat Products

• What types of meat are covered by this fact sheet?
• How should these products be labelled?
• Where should the details appear?
• How should prepacked meat products be marked?

What types of meat are covered by this fact sheet?

All whole meat products, whether prepacked or non-prepacked, including those with added ingredients, which have the appearance of a cut, joint, slice, portion or carcass of raw meat, or cooked meat. But not:-

1. Raw meat to which no ingredients other than proteolytic enzymes have been added;
2. Uncooked chickens, turkeys etc. with or without added water, self-basting preparations, additives or seasonings.

How should these products be labelled?

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

1. With the name of the food.
2. An indication of added water and/or minimum meat content.
3. Categories of certain additives contained in the product.

(A) Name Of The Food

The name must accurately describe the product and if certain ingredients have been used in the product's preparation they must be given in the name ie minced beef with soya protein.

Ingredients which do not have to be given in the name of a cooked product are:-

Additives, salt, herbs or spices used as seasoning, water (added water has to be stated - see below for details).

(B) Added Water Content/Minimum Meat Content

1. (i) Cooked meat products which have added ingredients included in the name (e.g. minced beef with soya protein) and
   (ii) Raw meat which has added ingredients included in the name (ie pork with soya protein),
   
   must be labelled with the declaration 'with added water' and a minimum meat content percentage e.g. 'Minced Beef with Soya Protein, with added water, minimum X% meat' or 'Pork with Soya Protein, with added water, minimum X% Meat'.
   
   
2. Meat products not bearing an indication of added ingredients in the name will not require any further details to be given e.g. Roast Beef, Roast Pork etc BUT if the meat product contains added water, it must be labelled as follows:-
   
   With a declaration of the maximum added water content in the form:- 'with not more than X% added water' e.g. 'Roast Pork with not more than 13% added water', OR 'Tenderised Beef with not more than 4% water'.

(C) Category Of Additives

Any of the following additives contained in the product:-

Antioxidant, sweetener, colour, flavour enhancers, flavourings, preservative, must be declared.

Where should the details appear?

On a notice or ticket displayed next to the product or on a label attached to the product.

Products prepacked on the premises from where they are sold have to be marked with an appropriate metric quantity indication.

How should prepacked meat products be labelled?

They must be marked with:-

1. An added water content - to appear in the name of the product or in the immediate proximity thereto
2. A minimum meat content in certain cases - to appear in immediate proximity to the list of ingredients, or if only one type of meat is used it may appear in the list of ingredients in immediate proximity to the name of that meat.
3. Name of the food
4. List of ingredients
5. A 'best before' or 'use by' date
6. Any special storage conditions and conditions of use
7. The name and address of the packer, manufacturer or seller
8. Particulars of place of origin in certain circumstances
9. Instructions for use
10. An appropriate quantity marking

Please note these products require comprehensive labels to ensure compliance with the law. You should therefore consult Fact Sheet No 1 - Labelling of Prepacked Foods and your local Trading Standards Office before having any labels printed unless you are sure they are correct.

Contact Information
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