The Food Labelling (Amendment) Regulations 1998

Amendment of the Food Labelling Regulations 1996

9.  There shall be substituted for regulation 19 (ingredients given special emphasis: indication of minimum or maximum percentage of ingredients) the following regulation—

“Quantities of certain ingredients or categories of ingredients

Indication of quantities of certain ingredients or categories of ingredients

19.— (1) Subject to paragraph (2) of this regulation, the quantity of an ingredient or category of ingredients used in the preparation of a food shall be indicated where—

(a) that ingredient or category of ingredients appears in the name of the food or is usually associated with that name by the consumer;

(b) that ingredient or category of ingredients is emphasised on the labelling in words, pictures or graphics; or

(c) that ingredient or category of ingredients is essential to characterise a food and to distinguish it from products with which it might be confused because of its name or appearance.

(2) Paragraph (1) of this regulation shall not apply—

(a) in respect of an ingredient or category of ingredients—

(i) the drained net weight of which is indicated in accordance with Article 8(4) of Directive 79/112;

(ii) the quantities of which are already required to be given on the labelling under European Community provisions;

(iii) which is used in small quantities for the purposes of flavouring; or

(iv) which, though it appears in the name of the food, is not such as to govern the choice of the consumer because the variation in quantity is not essential to characterise the food or does not distinguish it from similar foods;

(b) where specific European Community provisions stipulate precisely the quantity of an ingredient or category of ingredients without providing for the indication thereof on the labelling; or

(c) in the cases referred to in regulation 13(5).

(3) The indication of quantity of an ingredient or category of ingredients required by paragraph (1) of this regulation shall—

(a) be expressed as a percentage, which shall be determined as at the time of use of the ingredient or category of ingredients in the preparation of the food; and

(b) appear—

(i) in or next to the name of the food, or

(ii) in the list of ingredients in connection with the ingredient or category of ingredients in question.”.