Food Labelling
Food labelling and food standards
Our officers enforce the regulations that cover food standards, i.e. food labelling and compositional requirements.
The food standards that are set
- enable consumers to know what they are eating and to make informed choices
- help to prevent misleading food labels, adulteration of food and other food scams
Through
- inspection
- sampling and
- advice to business backed by enforcement action where required
We ensure that
- Labelling and descriptions of food accurately and fairly describe the nature, substance and quality of that food
- Declarations are made as required for ingredients, date marking, nutritional information, additives, processing and allergens
- Compositional standards and minimum legal requirements are complied with
- Materials and articles supplied for food use do not adversely affect the food
- Animal feedingstuffs are wholesome and contain no deleterious substances and/or ingredient which would be dangerous to the animal or humans consuming the animal or its by products
Guidance on food labelling requirements
Detailed guidance on food labelling requirements are available at
- Food Standards Agency
- Healthy Eating - understanding the new Traffic Light system of labelling
- Eatwell
- Trading Standards
Educate yourself on what foods to buy in order to eat a balanced diet
Visit 'Vision ' (Virtual Interactive Shopping Information Online). It is a web based three-dimensional virtual food hall created by Gloucestershire Trading Standards which provides information on food labelling, health and nutrition to consumers in an easy to understand format, as well as highlighting the detrimental affects of consuming too many ready prepared foods and snacks which contain high levels of sugar, fat and salt.
The food hall, which contains over 90 different food items within its aisles, also has a butchery, fish counter, and delicatessen. Visitors have the option to explore the hall and read short messages about each item of food, or undertake a challenge entitled 'Are you balanced?' which aims not to create winners or losers, but get people thinking about a balanced diet.
The website is www.visionfoodhall.com
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