Food labels
What are labels for?
Food product packages must have a label that
contains important information for us
consumers.
This information allows us to know the
characteristics of the product and therefore to
make an informed choice when buying it.
The label is mandatory by law and, in addition
to the information required by regulations, it
may include further details that are useful to
describe the product.
Why are food labels important?
Food labels help people:
• choose healthy food
• avoid allergies and intolerances
• know where food comes from
• store and prepare food safely
For other foods, such as pasta, it is
sufficient to indicate the origin of the
1. Product name *
primary ingredient (for example, wheat in
The product name tells us what the food
the case of pasta)
is. It must be clear and not confusing. For
example: orange juice, milk chocolate, 5. Barcode
tomato sauce. The barcode is a series of black lines and
numbers. It is used in shops to identify
2. Ingredients
the product and its price.
This is a list of all the ingredients used to
make the food. Ingredients are written 6. Name and address of the producer*
from the highest quantity to the lowest. This information tells us which company
Ingredients that can cause allergies or made the product and where the
intolerances (like milk, eggs, nuts, gluten) company is located. It is useful if
must be clearly highlighted. consumers need to contact the producer
and helps authorities find the producer if
3. Net weight*
the food is unsafe.
The net weight shows how much food
there is inside the package, without the 7. Expiry date or best before date*
packaging. It is usually written in grams The expiry date tells us until when the
(g) or kilograms (kg). food is safe to eat. After this date, the
food may be dangerous. The best before
4. Country of origin*
date means the food is still safe but may
The country of origin tells us where the
not be at its best quality.
food comes from. Sometimes it is
different from the country where the food 8. Storage instructions*
is produced or processed. Indicating the These instructions explain how to keep
country of origin is mandatory for certain the food in good condition. For example:
foods, such as oil, milk, meat, and honey.
keep in a cool and dry place, keep
refrigerated after opening.
9. Packaging disposal
This part explains how to throw away or
recycle the packaging correctly, to help
protect the environment.
10. Nutritional information*
Nutritional information tells us what
nutrients are in the food, such as energy,
fats, sugars, proteins, and salt. It helps
people choose healthy food.
11. Production batch (lot)
The production batch is a code that
shows when and where the product was
made. It is important for product control
and safety.
12. Preparation instructions
These instructions explain how to prepare
or cook the food before eating, for
example cooking time or temperature.
*Items marked with an asterisk are
mandatory.