EU Food Information to Consumers (Reg. 1169/2011)

1. Mandatory particulars (Art. 9) drive the layout. Name of the food; ingredients list; allergen indication (Annex II) emphasised in the ingredients list; QUID when required; net quantity; date mark (“best before” or “use by” per Annex X); storage/conditions of use; FBO name & address; origin/provenance when required; instructions for use (if applicable); alcoholic strength for >1.2% vol; and nutrition declaration (since 13 Dec 2016). [1]
2. Allergens must be clearly emphasised in the ingredients list.Where there’s no ingredients list, use “Contains [allergen]”. Use Annex II allergen names (e.g., “casein (milk)”). [2]
3. Nutrition formats. Mandatory “Big 7” per 100 g/ml in tabular form if space permits; optional per-portion/% RI; follow Annex XV order; use Annex XIV energy conversion factors; apply EU tolerances. [3]
4. Language. Mandatory info must be in a language easily understood by consumers in the Member State of marketing (practically, the official language(s)). Multi-language packs are fine if all particulars are present in required language(s). [4]
5. Distance selling (e-commerce). Before purchase, most mandatory particulars must be online (except the date mark); all must accompany the food at delivery. [5]
6. Origin/primary ingredient. If origin/provenance is stated and differs from the primary ingredient’s origin, clarify the primary ingredient origin (Reg. (EU) 2018/775). [6]
7. Watch adjacent regimes & updates. Alcohol >1.2% vol exempt from ingredients & nutrition under FIC, but EU wine now has energy on-label and ingredients/nutrition via e-label (since 8 Dec 2023). [7]

• Build FIC check-layers in artwork: Art. 9 checklist; allergen emphasis; nutrition table vs Annex XV; language coverage; primary ingredient origin logic.
• For multi-market SKUs, design a language panel strategy and a repeatable online PDP template that meets Article 14.
• Maintain a QUID decision log (why %, where shown, calculation basis) and allergen rationale file (ingredients, derivatives, Annex II mapping).
• Use GS1 specs for barcodes (X-dimension, quiet zones) to prevent scan issues that force late layout compromises. [8]

• PPWR interactions with labels (sorting info/data carriers): entered into force 11 Feb 2025; many provisions apply 12 Aug 2026. [9]
• PAL harmonisation pressure—plan wording/risk assessment pathways as EU discussions evolve; follow UK PAL guidance for direction. [10]

• FIC scope → Mandatory particulars (Art. 9) → Layout/legibility (Art. 13) → Language (Art. 15) → Online (Art. 14)
• Ingredients list (Art. 18) → Allergen emphasis (Art. 21; Annex II) → QUID (Art. 22; Commission QUID Notice)
• Date marking (Annex X) → Storage/Use (Art. 25–27) → Origin/provenance (Art. 26) → Primary ingredient origin (Reg. 2018/775)
• Nutrition declaration (Art. 30–35; Annex XIII–XV) → EC tolerances guidance
• Special sectors: Alcohol (>1.2% vol), Wine (Reg. 2021/2117)

• Regulation (EU) 1169/2011 (FIC): adopted 25 Oct 2011; in force 12 Dec 2011; general rules applied 13 Dec 2014; nutrition declaration mandatory 13 Dec 2016. [13]
• Regulation (EU) 2018/775: primary ingredient origin when origin stated. [6]
• Wine labelling reform (Reg. (EU) 2021/2117): energy on label; ingredients & full nutrition via e-label, effective 8 Dec 2023. [7]
• EC nutrition tolerances guidance (Dec 2012): control tables used by authorities. [3]

Required on prepacked foods: name, ingredients list, allergen indication (Annex II), QUID where required, net quantity, date mark, storage/conditions of use, FBO name & address, origin/provenance as required, instructions for use when needed, alcoholic strength (>1.2% vol), nutrition declaration. [1]

• Minimum x-height: ≥ 1.2 mm (or ≥ 0.9 mmwhen largest surface <80 cm²). Provide good contrast. [14]
• Nutrition declaration: tabular with aligned numbers if space permits; linear if not; per 100 g/ml; optional per-portion; order per Annex XV. [3]
• Same field of vision rules apply to certain particulars; keep the block intact. [3]

Mandatory info in a language easily understood in the Member State. [4]

Before purchase online, provide all mandatory particulars except the date mark; all particulars must accompany the food at delivery. [5]

PPWR lifecycle rules will interact with labels (sorting marks, re-use, recyclability comms). Entered into force 11 Feb 2025; general application 12 Aug 2026; watch implementing acts. [9]

• Article 9 & Annexes (what to print); Articles 30–35 & Annex XV (nutrition); Annex X (date marks); Article 21 & Annex II (allergens). [1–3,12]
• EC tolerances guidance (Dec 2012): accepted variances for declared nutrients. [3]
• QUID Commission Notice (2017): triggers & calculation bases. [11]
• Allergen emphasis norms: national technical guidance. [2,10]
• Barcode performance: GS1 General Specifications for EAN-13 (magnification, quiet zones). [8]

• Nutrition declaration: “Big 7” order, units, rounding & tolerance ranges (use EC guidance tables; keep lab method & variability notes).
• Legibility: x-height ≥1.2 mm (≥0.9 mm small packs); adopt house contrast thresholds and proof on substrate.
• Barcode: typical EAN-13 X-dimension 0.264–0.66 mm (80–200%); quiet zones must be clear.

• Ingredients + allergens: Map Annex II allergens to ingredient names/derivatives; for technical names (e.g., sodium caseinate), append “(milk)” and emphasise. [2]
• QUID: Show % immediately with/near the ingredient name where it characterises the food, is in the name/imagery, or is essential to distinguish. [11]
• Nutrition: Keep the Big 7 together in one block, tabular if possible, per 100; add per-portion/%RI only if portions are quantified and stated. [3]
• Language: For multi-market packs, print all mandatory particulars in required official language(s) for each target market. [4]
• Online PDP: Mirror pre-purchase info (Art. 14) including ingredients and allergen emphasis; date mark may be omitted pre-purchase but must be on-pack at delivery. [5]

• Text near 1.2/0.9 mm: proof on actual substrate/varnish to confirm legibility. [14]
• Barcodes: respect quiet zones and X-dimension; avoid seams/varnish steps; test to GS1 verification grades. [8]
• Colour: rich black/low-contrast tints can compromise legibility; adopt internal contrast targets and validate.

• Final ingredient & nutrition text with locked line breaks and language mapping per market.
• QUID calculations & allergen mapping signed off by regulatory.
• GS1 symbol spec (EAN-13 magnification, placement, background), and print process notes with min line weights.

• Article 9 all items present for SKU/market set. [1]
• Allergens emphasised in ingredients; if no list → “Contains [allergen]”. [2]
• QUID triggers assessed; % placed correctly and computed per recipe. [11]
• Nutrition: Big 7, order, per 100, tabular, units; % RI text if used; energy factors. [3]
• Language(s) correct per Member State(s). [4]
• Primary ingredient origin check against any origin/provenance claims. [6]
• Date mark type & format per Annex X; storage conditions present where needed. [12]
• Alcohol >1.2% vol handled (ABV declared; sectoral exemptions checked). [7]
• Barcode: GS1 dims & quiet zones verified. [8]

• Allergen communication: If ingredients list present → emphasise Annex II items; No list → use “Contains [allergen]”. Consider PAL only when risk remains after controls; avoid generic catch-alls.
• QUID trigger: Ingredient in name/imagery or characterises the food? → Declare % with ingredient name.
• Nutrition formatting: Space? → Tabular; else linear; always per 100; per-portion only if portion is quantified & stated; add %RI statement when using %RI.

• Energy per 100: compute using Annex XIV factors (fat 37 kJ/g; carbs 17; protein 17; fibre 8; polyols 10; alcohol 29). Output kJ and kcal; show RI line when %RI used.
• %RI: nutrient / RI × 100; rounding per EC tolerances guidance.
• QUID: % ingredient by weight at mixing/fill; maintain basis documentation (pre-/post-processing) per Notice examples.
• Barcode sizing: choose magnification to meet X-dimension ≥ 0.264 mm (80%); compute width/height from GS1 tables; enforce quiet zones.

• Markets/languages; pack surfaces; mandatory panel sizes; storage claims.
• Origin claims; QUID triggers; allergen map; barcode spec (symbology, magnification, placement).
• Substrate & varnish; print process; legibility proofing plan.

• Hot spots: composite foods with small type area; QUID for depicted ingredients; spice/allergen derivatives (e.g., mustard powder). [2],[11]
• Distance selling: replicate ingredients & allergen emphasis online; show storage/instructions. [5]

• Front-of-pack energy or energy + 4 nutrients allowed (Art. 30(3)); back panel must carry full table. [19]

• >1.2% vol: exempt from ingredients & nutrition under FIC (except ABV); EU wine must show energy and may use QR e-label for ingredients/nutrition (since 8 Dec 2023). Plan QR + label real estate. [7]