Labelling of seasonings

Labelling of seasonings response from FSS to Douglas Scott (SFMTA)

Regulation (EU) No 1169/2011 on the provision of food information to consumers (FIC) brought together EU rules on general food labelling and nutrition labelling into one piece of legislation. The Food Information (Scotland) Regulations 2014 enable local authorities in Scotland to enforce the requirements of FIC. The majority of the requirements of the new legislation came into force on 13 December 2014.

Regarding the labelling of seasonings, I would refer to Annex VII of FIC which deals with the Indication and designation of ingredients and can be found using the following link:
http://eur-lex.europa.eu/legal-content/EN/TXT/PDF/?uri=CELEX:02011R1169-20140219&qid=1436199443342&from=EN

In Part A it states that:
5. Mixtures of spices or herbs, where none significantly predominates in proportion by weight – May be listed in different order provided that that list of ingredients is accompanied by an expression such as 'in variable proportion'
6. Ingredients constituting less than 2 % of the finished product – May be listed in a different order after the other ingredients

Part B then adds the information that:
7. All spices not exceeding 2 % by weight of the food may be designated by the category name 'Spice(s)' or 'mixed spices'
8. All herbs or parts of herbs not exceeding 2 % by weight of the food may be designated by the category name 'Herb(s)' or 'mixed herbs'

However, if the seasoning could be considered as a compound ingredient, the information from Part E may be applicable:
2. “¦.. the list of ingredients for compound ingredients shall not be compulsory:
(b) for compound ingredients consisting of mixtures of spices and/or herbs that constitute less than 2 % of the finished product,”¦”¦”¦

I hope this information is useful.

The advice contained in this document should not be taken as an authoritative statement of the law or its interpretation. Only the courts can decide whether in particular circumstances an offence has been committed.

Stephen Hendry
Senior Policy Advisor – Food Labelling & Standards
3rd Floor Pilgrim House, Old Ford Road, Aberdeen, AB11 5RL
01224 285153

[email protected]
foodstandards.gov.scot