8.—(1) Without prejudice to the generality of Part II of the Food Labelling Regulations (Northern Ireland) 1996(1), processed cereal-based foods and baby foods shall be labelled with the following particulars –
(a)a statement as to the appropriate age (which shall be not less than four months) from which the food may be used, regard being had to its composition, texture or other particular properties;
(b)information as to the presence or absence of gluten if the age stated pursuant to sub-paragraph (a) is less than six months;
(c)the available energy value expressed in kJ and kcal, and the protein, carbohydrate and fat content, expressed in numerical form, per 100g or 100ml of the food as sold and, where appropriate, per specified quantity of the food as proposed for consumption;
(d)the average quantity, expressed in numerical form, per 100g or 100ml of the food as sold and, where appropriate, per specified quantity of the food as proposed for consumption, of each mineral substance and of each vitamin in respect of which a maximum or a minimum compositional requirement is specified in –
(i)Part II of Schedule 1 in the case of processed cereal-based foods; and
(ii)Schedule 3 in the case of baby foods; and
(e)if preparation of the food is necessary, appropriate instructions for preparation and a statement as to the importance of following those instructions.
(2) Subject to paragraph (1)(d), no processed cereal-based food or baby food shall be labelled with the average quantity of any nutrient specified in Schedule 4 unless –
(a)that average quantity is expressed in numerical form, per 100g or 100ml of the food as sold and, where appropriate, per specified quantity of the food as proposed for consumption; and
(b)in the case of a mineral substance or vitamin, it is a mineral substance or vitamin other than one referred to in paragraph (1)(d).
(3) Where, pursuant to paragraph (1)(d) or paragraph (2), any processed cereal-based food or baby food is labelled with the average quantity, per 100g or 100ml of the food as sold and, where appropriate, per specified quantity of the food as proposed for consumption, of any vitamin or mineral which is specified in column 1 of Schedule 8, the labelling of the food shall not express that average quantity as a percentage of the reference value specified in column 2 of Schedule 8 in relation to that vitamin or mineral unless the quantity present is equal to 15 per cent or more of the reference value.
S.R. 1996 No. 383; the relevant amending Regulations are S.R. 1998 No. 253, S.R .1999 Nos. 143, 244 and 286, S.R. 2000 Nos. 189 and 303, S.R. 2001 No. 45 and S.R. 2003 Nos.159 and 448