Post-Brexit food labelling changes delayed
18th January 2023
Food Business Operators (FBOs) have been granted an extra 15 months to comply with post-Brexit food labelling requirements. Following the UK’s departure from the European Union, food labelling changes were implemented requiring a UK FBO to be listed on food imported from the EU. The Food Information (Amendment of Transitional Provisions) (England) Regulations 2022 extend the transitional periods for some food labelling changes.
The extension means businesses can use an EU, Great Britain or Northern Ireland address for the FBO on pre-packaged food in England until 31 December 2023. In addition, animal products placed on the market in England can continue to use ‘UK/EC’ identification marks until the same date. FBOs can also refer to the ‘non-EU’ origin of beef and veal on food labelling if the animal it came from was born, reared, or slaughtered outside of the EU until 1 January 2024.
How we can help
Although these regulations give FBOs more time to comply with the changes to food labelling following Brexit, it makes sense to get ready for the changes well in advance of the cut-off date. FBOs should continue to deplete existing stocks of labels, wrapping and packaging but then introduce new labelling and packaging ready for the new rules to come into force. If you need any help understanding the regulations and how they apply to your business, just give Richard Naish or any of the other members of the Food and Drink team a call.
