What should a product label contain?
Before introducing a product to the market, it is advisable to thoroughly familiarize oneself with the applicable regulations. Lack of labeling, inappropriate form, or incomplete information expose your business to a fine. What should a product label contain to avoid negative consequences?
Label on the packaging – mandatory product marking
The product label, information on the packaging, or instructions included with the product must be written in Polish. On one of these three items, the manufacturer's details, such as the company name, registered office address, and information about the country of origin of the product, must be included as mandatory information. It is also necessary to specify the purpose of the product. This does not apply to products whose purpose is obvious, such as vegetables or fruits.
These are general rules. Additional regulations apply to food, chemical, and cosmetic products, among others. We will focus on these three groups later in our post. It is worth knowing that additional information should also be included on toys or pre-packaged goods, for example.
What should a food product label contain?
Food product labels are regulated by Regulation (EU) No 1169/2011 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 25 October 2011 on the provision of food information to consumers. In this document, you will find detailed guidelines regarding the appearance of food labels.
What should a food product label contain? It must include, among other things, information about:
- the product name, which indicates its type,
- the composition of the product, with the indication that the ingredient present in the largest quantity should be listed first,
- the nutrient content,
- allergens, which should be highlighted in the list of ingredients, e.g., by font, bolding, or color,
- net content (weight of the product without packaging),
- the date of minimum durability or the use-by date,
- storage instructions,
- the company manufacturing the product.
Food labeling should be clear and legible to the consumer. The label must be durable and impossible to remove. It is also important that it provides only true information and is as detailed as possible.
