Labelling requirements for spices in the UK and allergen labelling for spice blends in the EU rest on the same idea: the pack must show what is in it, who is responsible and which allergens it contains. The detail differs, because the UK now sets its own law. Whoever places the pack on the market is responsible for the label, so confirm your final text with a food law adviser or trading standards before printing.
What a spice label must carry
Both systems expect a product name, a list of ingredients in descending order of weight, net quantity, a durability date and storage conditions, and the name and address of a food business operator in that market. Allergens must be emphasised in the ingredients list, for example in bold. Labelling rules for spice blends in the UK, EU and US sets out the common points.
A single-ingredient spice has a simpler list. A blend must name every component, and any sub-ingredient with an allergen.
One more check: durability wording. A best-before date is normal for dried spices, but the format and the way storage conditions are given should follow the market's rules. Print the date on the unit, not only on the outer carton, and make sure the lot code on the pack matches the code on your documents so a recall could be traced quickly.
Which allergens matter in spice blends?
Mustard, celery, sesame and cereals containing gluten are common in blends. Others, such as nuts, soya or milk, appear in coating agents, carriers or anti-caking agents. Under EU law there is a list of fourteen allergens that must be declared, and the UK list is similar, with the UK having moved on some points since leaving the EU. Check the current lists with the regulators. Declaring allergens like mustard and celery in spice blends covers the practical side.
Cross-contact needs thought. If the plant also grinds sesame or mustard on a shared line, the supplier should say so and show its cleaning control. Precautionary wording is a business choice, and it does not replace control.
Where the UK and EU differ
The differences are practical. The UK requires a UK address on the pack for products sold in Great Britain, and the EU requires an address in the EU. Northern Ireland follows the EU rules for many food matters. The UK has its own rules on how origin is shown for certain products and its own Food Information regulations as retained and amended. Language is English for the UK. In the EU, the language must follow the member state's rule. Organic claims follow their own schemes in each market.
These rules change, so use the Food Standards Agency and the European Commission pages as your reference, not an old guide.
What your Indian supplier should do
Give the supplier the final label text, not a rough idea. Ask it to print to your artwork, check the allergen emphasis, and send a pre-print proof. Have a person check the first packed units against the specification. For bulk lots that you pack yourself, ask for a clear ingredient and allergen statement with each lot. Costs depend on the print, the pack and the volume, and a quote comes from a sourcing review.
Next step
We check labels against your specification when we supervise packing. Book a free sourcing review.