The Food Labelling (Amendment) (Wales) Regulations 2005

Explanatory Note

(This note is not part of the Regulations)

1.  These Regulations further amend the Food Labelling Regulations 1996 in so far as they apply in relation to Wales. The 1996 Regulations extend to the whole of Great Britain. These Regulations implement in Wales Commission Directive 2004/77/EC which amends Directive 94/54/EC as regards the labelling of certain foods containing glycyrrhizinic acid and its ammonium salt (OJ No. L162, 30.4.2004, p.76).

2.  Glycyrrhizinic acid occurs naturally in the liquorice plant, and its ammonium salt is manufactured from aqueous extracts of that plant. These Regulations require confectionery and drinks containing certain levels of that acid or salt to be labelled with the indication “contains liquorice” and for this to be coupled with a warning in certain cases (regulation 7). There are exemptions from these labelling requirements in the case of food which is not prepacked, food which is prepacked for direct sale, fancy confectionery products, small packages and certain indelibly marked glass bottles (regulations 4 to 6). These Regulations also contain a transitional provision (regulation 8) and update the definition of “Directive 94/54” (regulation 3).

3.  A regulatory appraisal pursuant to section 65 of the Government of Wales Act 1998 has been prepared for these Regulations and placed in the Library of the National Assembly for Wales together with a Transposition Note setting out how the main elements of Directive 2003/120/EC are transposed in these Regulations. Copies may be obtained from the Food Standards Agency, 11th Floor, Southgate House, Wood Street, Cardiff, CF10 1EW.