Cracking the code: UK food labelling regulations for Indian spice exporters

The India-UK FTA opens a major opportunity for Indian spice exporters with zero-duty access. However, success depends on strict UK food labelling requirements to avoid shipment rejections and recalls. Accurate labels covering allergens, additives, importer details, and date formats ensure market access, consumer trust, and regulatory compliance. Exporters must treat labelling as a trade enabler to fully benefit from this high-potential market.

The United Kingdom is one of the largest destinations for Indian spices. With the upcoming India-UK Free Trade Agreement (FTA) expected to grant zero-duty access to over 95% of Indian agri-food exports, the market opportunity is immense.

But tariff advantages alone don’t guarantee success. Non-compliance with labelling laws is one of the biggest causes of shipment rejections. In 2024, the UK Food Standards Agency (FSA) tightened border checks on Indian spices after ethylene oxide contamination incidents and recalled products with undeclared allergens like mustard.

To succeed in this high-potential market, Indian spice exporters must master the UK’s food labelling requirements.

Why food labelling matters in the UK

Food labels are more than a regulatory checkbox—they are a legal requirement under the UK Food Information Regulations (FIR) 2014. Labels serve three vital purposes:

1. Food safety – helping consumers avoid allergens and unsafe products.
2. Market access – ensuring shipments pass border inspections.
3. Consumer trust – building confidence in authenticity and quality.

Key labelling requirements for spices in the UK

Every spice pack entering the UK must display the following details clearly and accurately:

1. Name of the Food

• Use a legal or customary name (e.g., Ground Turmeric).
• Should not mislead consumers about nature, quality, or origin.

2. Ingredients List

• Mandatory for spice blends; exempt for single-ingredient packs.
• Must list ingredients in descending weight order.

3. Allergen Declarations

• UK law covers 14 allergens (mustard, sesame, celery are relevant for spices).
• Allergens must be:
  • Highlighted in the ingredients list (bold/italics/caps), or
  • Declared as “Contains: …” if no list is present.
• Cross-contamination may be indicated voluntarily with a “may contain …” statement.

4. Additives

• Only GB-authorised additives may be used.
• Must be declared by functional class + name/E-number (e.g., Colour: Curcumin (E100)).
• Note: Some additives legal in India are banned in the UK.

5. Nutrition Information

• Exempt: herbs, spices, and spice blends.
• Mandatory if fortified or if a nutrition/health claim is made.
• Must follow UK’s fixed order: Energy → Fat (saturates) → Carbohydrate (sugars) → Protein → Salt.

6. Net Quantity

• Declared in metric units (g or kg) on the main display panel.

7. Country of Origin

• “Product of India” must be mentioned to prevent origin fraud.

8. Date Marking & Batch Code

• Spices generally carry a “Best Before” date, not “Use By.”
• Formats vary by shelf life:
  • <3 months: DD/MM
  • 3–18 months: MM/YYYY
  • 18 months: YYYY
• Lot or batch number is mandatory for traceability.

9. Name & Address of Importer

• A UK-based importer’s details must appear on every pack.
• Missing this is a common reason for rejection.

India vs UK: Key differences in labelling