Citation, extent and commencement1
1
These Regulations may be cited as the Food Information (Scotland) Regulations 2014 and extend to Scotland only.
2
Except as provided for in paragraphs (3) and (4), these Regulations come into force on 13th December 2014.
3
The specified FIC provisions in Part 2 of Schedule 3 come into force on 13th December 2016.
4
Part 2 of Schedule 4, and regulation 13 so far as it relates to that Part of Schedule 4, come into force on 13th December 2018.
Interpretation2
1
In these Regulations—
“the Act” means the Food Safety Act 1990;
F2“Directive 1999/2/EC” means Directive 1999/2/EC of the European Parliament and of the Council on the approximation of laws of the Member States concerning foods and food ingredients treated with ionising radiation.
“final consumer” has the meaning given in point 18 of Article 3 of Regulation (EC) No 178/2002 of the European Parliament and of the Council laying down the general principles and requirements of food law, establishing the European Food Safety Authority and laying down procedures in matters of food safety;
“FIC” means Regulation (EU) No 1169/2011 of the European Parliament and of the Council on the provision of food information to consumers, amending Regulations (EC) No 1924/2006 and (EC) No 1925/2006 of the European Parliament and of the Council, and repealing Commission Directive 87/250/EEC, Council Directive 90/496/EEC, Commission Directive 1999/10/EC, Directive 2000/13/EC of the European Parliament and of the Council, Commission Directives 2002/67/EC and 2008/5/EC and Commission Regulation (EC) No 608/2004;
“food authority” means a council constituted under section 2 of the Local Government etc. (Scotland) Act 1994 M1;
“food business operator” has the meaning given in point 3 of Article 3 of Regulation (EC) No 178/2002 of the European Parliament and of the Council laying down the general principles and requirements of food law, establishing the European Food Safety Authority and laying down procedures in matters of food safety;
“mass caterer” has the meaning given in Article 2(2)(d) and “mass caterers” must be construed accordingly;
“means of distance communication” has the meaning given in Article 2(2)(u);
“prepacked for direct sale” has the same meaning as in Article 2(2)(e);
“prepacked food” has the meaning given in Article 2(2)(e) F3and “prepacked” is to be construed accordingly
F11“Regulation 828/2014” means Commission Implementing Regulation (EU) No 828/2014 on the requirements for the provision of information to consumers on the absence or reduced presence of gluten in food;F52...
F21“Regulation 2018/775” means Commission Implementing Regulation (EU) 2018/775 laying down rules for the application of Article 26(3) of Regulation (EU) No 1169/2011 of the European Parliament and of the Council on the provision of food information to consumers, as regards the rules for indicating the country of origin or place of provenance of the primary ingredient of a food;
F42“relevant food” means for the purposes of regulations 5 and 5A(1)(b), a food in which an ingredient or processing aid listed in Annex II, or derived from a substance or product listed in Annex II, has been used in its manufacture or preparation and that is still present in the finished product (even if in an altered form);
“specified FIC provision” means a provision specified in column 1, as read with column 2, F12the tables in Parts 1 and 2 of of Schedule 3 to these Regulations.
F13“specified Regulation 828/2014 provision” means a provision specified in column 1, as read with column 2, of the table in Part 1A of schedule 3F22and
F23“specified Regulation 2018/775 provision” means a provision specified in column 1 as read with the provisions in column 2, of the table in Part 3 of schedule 3
2
Except as otherwise provided for—
a
any reference in these Regulations to an Article is a reference to an Article of FIC; and
b
any reference in these Regulations to an Annex is a reference to an Annex to FIC.
3
F103A
Any reference to Regulation 828/2014 or a provision of Regulation 828/2014 in a provision of these Regulations listed in paragraph (4), is a reference to Regulation 828/2014 or that provision of Regulation 828/2014 as amended from time to time.
F203B
Any reference to Regulation 2018/775 or a provision of Regulation 2018/775 in a provision of these Regulations, is a reference to Regulation 2018/775 or that provision of Regulation 2018/775 as amended from time to time.
4
The provisions referred to in paragraph (3) are—
a
regulation 2(1) (interpretation), except for the definition of “FIC” F14and “Regulation 828/2014";
b
regulation 3 (derogation relating to milk and milk products);
F5c
regulation 4(1) and (3) (derogation relating to minced meat);
ca
d
regulation 6(1) (foods F45other than prepacked or prepacked for direct sale – general requirement to name them);
e
regulation 7(1), (4) and (6) (insofar as this relates to “offered for sale”) (Products that are not prepacked etc. containing meat and other ingredients);
f
regulation 8(4)(b) (irradiated foods);
g
regulation 10 (offences);
h
paragraph 3 of Part 2 of Schedule 1(font size for national mark to be used in case of prepacked food); and
i
Schedule 3 F15(specified provisions of FIC and Regulation 828/2014).
Derogation relating to milk and milk products3
The requirements laid down in Articles 9(1) and 10(1) do not apply to milk or milk products presented in a glass bottle where the glass bottle is intended for reuse.
Derogation relating to minced meat4
1
The requirements laid down in point 1 of Part B of Annex VI do not prevent minced meat that does not comply with those requirements being placed on the market using the designation ‘minced meat’ if the national mark in Part 1 of Schedule 1 appears on the labelling.
2
Part 2 of Schedule 1 applies to the form of the national mark.
3
In paragraph (1)—
“on the labelling” has the same meaning as in point 2 of Part B of Annex VI as read with the definition of “labelling” in Article 2(2)(j); and
“placed on the market” is to be construed taking into account the meaning of “placing on their national market” as used in point 3 of Part B of Annex VI.
Foods F27other than prepacked or prepacked for direct sale containing an allergenic substance or product etc.5
1
A food business operator who offers for sale a relevant food to which this regulation applies may provide the particulars specified in Article 9(1)(c) in relation to that food in any manner that they choose, including, subject to paragraph (3), orally.
2
This regulation applies to a relevant food that is offered for sale to the final consumer or to a mass caterer otherwise than by means of distance communication F28and that—
F33c
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
3
Where a food business operator intends to provide the particulars specified in Article 9(1)(c) relating to a relevant food orally, they must indicate that details of the Annex II substance or product used as an ingredient or processing aid in the manufacture or preparation of the food, or derived from such a substance or product, can be obtained by asking a member of staff.
4
The indication mentioned in paragraph (3) must be given—
a
on a label attached to the food; or
b
on a notice, menu, ticket or label that is readily discernible by an intending purchaser at the place where they choose that food.
5
In relation to a relevant food to which this regulation applies, the Article 9(1)(c) particulars provided by a food business operator must be provided with a clear reference to the name of the substance or product listed in Annex II where—
a
the relevant ingredient or processing aid is F6listed in or derived from a substance or product listed in Annex II; and
b
the particulars are made available otherwise than by means provided in FIC.
F346
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
F48Foods that are prepacked for direct sale – duty to list ingredients5A
1
A food business operator who offers for sale a food to which this regulation applies must provide directly on the packaging or on a label attached to the packaging the particulars required by—
a
Article 9(1)(b) (list of ingredients), as read with—
i
Article 13(1) to (3) (presentation of mandatory particulars), as read with any regulations made in accordance with Article 13(4),
ii
Article 15 (language requirements),
iii
Article 16(2) (omission of certain mandatory particulars), so far as it relates to the particulars required by Article 9(1)(b),
iv
Article 17 (name of the food), as read with Parts A and C of Annex VI (mandatory particulars accompanying the name of the food) and, in the case of an ingredient using a minced meat designation as a name, the following points of Part B of Annex VI—
aa
point 1, and
bb
point 3, as read with regulation 4 (derogation relating to minced meat) and schedule 1 (mark to be used on minced meat to which the derogation in regulation 4 applies),
v
Article 18 (list of ingredients), as read with Annex VII (indication and designation of ingredients) and paragraph (1)(a)(iv) of this regulation,
vi
Article 19(1) (omission of the list of ingredients), as read with any regulations made in accordance with Article 19(2), and
vii
Article 20 (omission of constituents of food from the list of ingredients),
b
where a food is a relevant food, Article 9(1)(c) (certain substances or products causing allergies or intolerances), as read with Article 21(1) (labelling of certain substances or products causing allergies or intolerances) and Annex II (substances or products causing allergies or intolerances).
2
This regulation applies to a food that—
a
is offered for sale to a final consumer or to a mass caterer otherwise than by means of distance communication, and
b
is prepacked for direct sale.
Foods F35other than prepacked or prepacked for direct sale– general requirement to name them6
1
A food business operator who offers for sale a food to which this regulation applies at premises where sales are made to final consumers must provide the particulars required by Article 9(1)(a) (the name of the food) as read with—
a
Article 17(1) to (4) and Part A of Annex VI; and
b
in the case of food offered for sale using a minced meat designation as a name—
i
Article 17(5) and point 1 of Part B of Annex VI; and
ii
point 3 of Part B of Annex VI as read with regulation 4 and Schedule 1.
2
This regulation applies to a food that is offered for sale to a final consumer or a mass caterer F36and—
F41c
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
3
This regulation does not apply to a food prepared to be ready for consumption by a final consumer that is offered for sale to a final consumer by a mass caterer (whether at a mass catering establishment where sales are made in person to a final consumer or by means of distance communication) as part of their business as a mass caterer.
4
The particulars must appear—
a
on a label attached to the food; or
b
on a notice, ticket or label that is readily discernible by an intending purchaser at the place where they choose that food.
5
In this regulation “offered for sale” has the same meaning as in Article 44 and “offers for sale” shall be construed accordingly.
6
Paragraph (4) does not apply in the case of an offer for sale made by means of distance communication.
F49Foods that are prepacked for direct sale – general requirement to name them6A
1
A food business operator who offers for sale a food to which this regulation applies must provide the particulars required by Article 9(1)(a) (the name of the food), as read with—
a
Article 17(1) and (4),
b
Part A of Annex VI, and
c
in the case of a food offered for sale using a minced meat designation as a name—
i
Article 17(5),
ii
point 1 of Part B of Annex VI, and
iii
point 3 of Part B of Annex VI, as read with regulation 4 and schedule 1.
2
This regulation applies to a food that—
a
is offered for sale to a final consumer or to a mass caterer, and
b
is prepacked for direct sale.
3
The particulars mentioned in paragraph (1) must be provided directly on the packaging or on a label attached to the packaging, except in the case of an offer for sale made by means of distance communication.
4
In this regulation “offered for sale” has the same meaning as in Article 44 and “offer for sale” must be construed accordingly.
Products that are not prepacked etc. containing meat and other ingredients7
1
A food business operator who offers for sale a product to which this regulation applies at premises where sales are made to final consumers must provide the particulars required by Article 9(1)(d) (quantity of certain ingredients), as read with Article 22 and Annex VIII in respect of the ingredients in the product that are meat.
2
This regulation applies to a product (other than a food specified in Schedule 2) that contains meat and any other ingredients and that is—
a
not prepacked;
b
packed on the operator's premises at the consumer's request; or
c
prepacked for direct sale.
3
This regulation does not apply to a product that is offered for sale by a mass caterer at a mass catering establishment in the course of their business as a mass caterer.
4
The quantity of meat specified in the particulars mentioned in paragraph (1) must be determined taking into account the provisions relating to total fat and connective tissue content in point 17 of Part B of Annex VII, including any downward adjustment needed in a case where the total fat and connective tissue content in the product exceeds the values indicated in the table in that point.
5
The particulars must appear—
a
on a label attached to the product; or
b
on a notice, ticket or label that is readily discernible by an intending purchaser at the place where they choose that product.
6
In this regulation—
“offered for sale” has the same meaning as in Article 44 and “offers for sale” shall be construed accordingly;
“meat” means the skeletal muscles of mammalian and bird species recognised as fit for human consumption with naturally included or adherent tissue but does not include mechanically separated meat; and
“mechanically separated meat” has the meaning given in point 1.14 of Annex I to Regulation (EC) No 853/2004M2 of the European Parliament and of the Council laying down specific hygiene rules for food of animal origin.
Irradiated foods8
1
Any person who places on the market, in bulk, a product to which this paragraph applies must ensure that the relevant indication appears, together with the name of the product, on a display or notice above or beside the container in which the products are placed on the market.
2
Paragraph (1) applies to—
a
a product intended for the F7final consumer or mass caterers that has been treated with ionising radiation; and
b
a product intended for the F7final consumer or mass caterers that contains an ingredient that has been treated with ionising radiation.
3
Any person who places on the market a product to which this paragraph applies must ensure that the relevant indication appears in the list of ingredients of that product to indicate the irradiated ingredient.
4
Paragraph (3) applies to a product intended for the F8final consumer or mass caterers—
a
containing a compound ingredient in a case where an ingredient of that compound ingredient has been treated with ionising radiation; and
b
to which in relation to that compound ingredient the provisions of point 2 of Part E of Annex VII (setting out cases where a list of ingredients for compound ingredients is not compulsory) would, but for the requirement in paragraph (3), apply.
5
The relevant indication is the word ‘irradiated’ or the words ‘treated with ionising radiation’.
F96
In this regulation—
“in bulk”, “ionising radiation” and “product” have the same meaning as in Directive 1999/2/EC;
“places on the market” is to be construed taking into account the meaning of “placed on the market” as used in Article 2 of Directive 1999/2/EC; and
7
This regulation does not apply to—
a
a product exposed to ionising radiation generated by measuring or inspection devices, provided the dose absorbed is not greater than 0.01 Gy for inspection devices which utilise neutrons and 0.5 Gy in other cases, at a maximum radiation energy level of 10 MeV in the case of X-rays, 14 MeV in the case of neutrons and 5 MeV in other cases; and
b
a product which is prepared for patients requiring sterile diets under medical supervision.
Enforcement9
It is the duty of each food authority to enforce these Regulations within its area.
Offences10
A person is guilty of an offence if the person fails to comply with—
a
any specified FIC provision;
F19aa
any specified Regulation 828/2014 provision;
F25ab
any specified Regulation 2018/775 provision, subject to regulation 10A;
b
regulation 5(3), (4) or (5);
F46ba
regulation 5A(1);
c
regulation 6(1) as read with 6(4);
F47ca
regulation 6A(1) and (3);
d
regulation 7(1) as read with 7(5); or
e
regulation 8(1) or (3).
F24Transitional Provision10A
A person is not guilty of an offence under regulation 10(ab) if food placed on the market or labelled does not comply with any specified Regulation 2018/775 provision, provided that—
a
it was placed on the market or labelled prior to 19th June 2020, and
b
it complies with these Regulations as they applied prior to 19th June 2020.
F26Transitional provision: withdrawal from the EU10B
1
A person is not considered to have failed to comply with Articles 7(1), 8(1), 9(1)(h) or 36(2)(a) or (b) of FIC if—
a
the alleged failure relates to a product that was placed on the market before the last day of the period beginning on 27 May 2021 and ending on F5031 December 2023, and
b
the matter constituting the alleged failure to comply would not have constituted a failure to comply with FIC as that Regulation had effect immediately before F5130 September 2022.
2
Products to which paragraph (1) applies may continue to be marketed until stocks are exhausted.
Penalty11
A person guilty of an offence under regulation 10 is liable on summary conviction to a fine not exceeding level 5 on the standard scale.
Application of provisions of the Act12
1
The following provisions of the Act apply for the purposes of these Regulations with the modification that any reference in those provisions to the Act or Part of the Act is to be construed as a reference to these Regulations—
a
section 3 (presumptions that food intended for human consumption);
b
section 30(8) (which relates to documentary evidence);
c
section 33 (obstruction etc. of officers);
d
e
section 36 (offences by bodies corporate);
f
section 36A (offences by Scottish partnerships) M5; and
g
section 44 (protection of officers acting in good faith).
2
The following provisions of the Act apply for the purposes of these Regulations with the modifications specified—
a
section 20 (offences due to fault of another person) for “any of the preceding provisions of this Part” substitute “
regulation 10 of the Food Information (Scotland) Regulations 2014
”
;
b
section 21 (defence of due diligence) M6—
i
in subsection (1) for “any of the preceding provisions of this Part” substitute “regulation 10 of the Food Information (Scotland) Regulations 2014; and
ii
subsections (2) to (4) apply in relation to an offence under regulation 10 as they apply in relation to an offence under section 14 or 15;
c
section 22 (defence of publication in the course of business) for “any of the preceding provisions of this Part” substitute “
regulation 10 of the Food Information (Scotland) Regulations 2014
”
.
3
In section 32 (powers of entry) the modifications in sub-paragraphs (a) and (b) below apply for the purposes in sub-paragraph (c)—
a
in section 32(1)(a) for “this Act, or of regulations or orders made under it” substitute “
Regulation (EU) No 1169/2011 of the European Parliament and of the Council on the provision F16of information to consumers F17, or Commission Implementing Regulation (EU) No 828/2014 on the requirements for the provision of information to consumers on the absence or reduced presence of gluten in food, specified in Schedule 3 to the Food Information (Scotland) Regulations 2014
”
;
b
omit section 32(1)(c);
c
the purposes are enabling an authorised officer of a food authority—
i
to exercise a power of entry to ascertain whether there is, or has been, any contravention of a specified FIC provision F18or a specified Regulation 828/2014 provision;
ii
to exercise a power of entry to ascertain whether there is any evidence of any contravention of such a provision; and
iii
where exercising a power of entry under the applied section 32 provisions, to exercise the associated powers in subsections (5) and (6) relating to records;
d
this paragraph is without prejudice to the application of the provisions of the Act for purposes other than those specified; and
e
the purposes in (c) do not include any powers of entry relating to a contravention of Article 9(1)(e) of FIC.
Revocations13
The Regulations specified in Schedule 4 are revoked to the extent specified.
Consequential and other amendments14
Schedule 5 has effect.