The Food Labelling Regulations 1996

The Meat Products And Spreadable Fish Products Regulations 1984
Chopped Meat, Corned Meat, Luncheon Meat

• What types of food are covered this fact sheet?
• What meat content should these products contain by law?
• How should these products be labelled?
• Where should the details appear?
• How should pre packed products be marked?
• What happens if the product or labels are not correct - will I commit an offence?

What type of food are covered by this fact sheet?

• All chopped meat products containing a single meat, cured meat or a mixtures of meats with or without cured meat.
• All corned meat containing only a single meat or meat with food other than meat.
• Luncheon meat containing cured or uncured meat.

What meat content should these products contain by law?

• Chopped Meat Products Minimum meat content 90%. At least 65% of this required, meat content must be lean meat.
• Corned Meat (or the corned meat part of food containing corned meat). Minimum meat content 120% based on raw meat. At least 96% of this required meat content must be lean meat.
• Luncheon Meat Minimum meat content 80%. At least 65% of this required meat must be lean meat.

How should these products be labelled?

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

Chopped Meat Products and Luncheon Meat

• With the name (e.g. Chopped Pork and Ham, Pork Luncheon Meat).
• With a declaration of the minimum meat content (e.g. minimum 90% meat for chopped meats).
• With a declaration of any of the following additives contained in the meat products - antioxidant, artificial sweetener, colour, flavour enhancer, flavouring, preservative.

Corned Meat

• With the name (eg Corned Beef).
• With a declaration of minimum corned meat content (e.g. minimum 100% Corned Beef where product is all Corned Beef, minimum 80% Corned Beef where product contains 20% of other ingredients such as Corned Beef with gelatine).
• With a declaration of any of the additives mentioned for chopped meat and luncheon meat.

Where should the details appear?

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

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

How should prepacked foods be marked?

They must be marked with:-

1. Name of the food
2. List of ingredients
3. Minimum meat content declaration
4. An indication of minimum durability
5. Any special storage conditions and conditions of use
6. The name of packer, manufacturer or seller
7. Particulars of the place of 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 consult Fact Sheet No 1 on Labelling of Prepacked Foods and your local Trading Standards Office before having any label printed.

What happens if the product 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
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