VI. What You MUST Include on Food Labels in the UK

A Guide for Aspiring Spice Mix & Seasoning Makers

If you’re planning to launch your own spice mixes or seasoning blends in the UK, one of the first hurdles you’ll face is food labelling compliance.

Getting your labels right isn’t just good practice — it’s the law. The rules are designed to protect consumers and make sure everyone has the information they need to make safe, informed choices.

Below is a clear breakdown of the essential information you must include on food labels and packaging, especially for spices and seasonings.

1. Name of the Food

Your product must clearly display the name of the food (e.g. “Smoky BBQ Seasoning” or “Cumin & Coriander Blend”) on the label. The name must be accurate and not misleading about what’s inside. If a defined legal name exists for certain foods, you must use it; otherwise a customary or descriptive name should be used.

Official guidance:

Food labelling – what you must show (GOV.UK)

2. Full Ingredients List

If your product contains two or more ingredients, you must list them in descending order by weight (heaviest first). Spices mixed with salt, sugar, herbs, or additives all count here.

• This list goes under a clear heading like “Ingredients:”

• If you are selling a single-ingredient product (e.g., pure ground turmeric), an ingredients list isn’t required—but can still be helpful.

  
  

Official guidance:

Food labelling and packaging – Ingredients list (GOV.UK)

3. Allergen Information

Some spices and seasonings may include or come into contact with allergens (e.g., mustard, celery, sesame). UK law lists 14 allergens that must be declared if present. These include cereals containing gluten, milk, nuts, peanuts, soybeans, mustard, sesame seeds and sulphites above certain levels.

Allergens must be emphasised within your ingredients list — for example, by bolding or using a contrasting font or colour.

Official guidance:

Allergen labelling for food manufacturers (Food Standards Agency)

4. Net Quantity (Weight or Volume)

Your label must state the net quantity of the product (e.g., “Net weight: 100 g”). This is mandatory for most packaged foods, including spices and seasoning mixes.

Official guidance:

Food information: net quantity labelling (GOV.UK)

5. Date Marking (Shelf Life)

You must include either a “Best before” date (common for dried spices and mixes) or, where relevant, a “Use by” date if safety could be a concern.

This tells customers how long the product is expected to retain quality.

6. Business Name & Address

Mention your name, your website, your social media presence, how to get in touch etc.

But the packaging must also include the name and address of the food business responsible for the product (e.g., manufacturer, packer, or importer). This must be a physical postal address, not just a phone number or email.

7. Country of Origin or Place of Provenance (When Required)

Country of origin must be shown if omitting it could mislead consumers — for example, if packaging or product names imply a certain origin (like “Moroccan Spice Mix”).

Even though UK rules don’t always require origin labelling for all foods, it is good practice — especially if your branding hints at a specific origin.

8. Storage & Usage Instructions (Optional but Helpful)

If your spice mix performs best under certain conditions (e.g., “Store in a cool, dry place”), include clear storage guidance. You should also add usage or preparation instructions when necessary to help customers get the best out of your product.

9. Nutritional Information (When Applicable)

Nutrition labelling is usually required if:

• You make a nutrition or health claim (e.g., “High in antioxidants”),

• You add vitamins/minerals, or

• You sell pre-packed food where nutrition info is mandatory.

Otherwise, spices and seasonings are often exempt unless they contain notable additives.

Final Tips for food labelling UK

✔ Labels must be clear, legible, and in English.

✔ Make sure your packaging complies not only with food labelling law but with marketing claims too.

✔ If you sell online or via mail order, information must be available before purchase.

Important Disclaimer

This blog post is intended as general informational guidance only and not legal advice. Food labelling rules can be complex and change over time, and requirements may vary depending on product type and how you sell it.

Always consult the official UK government and Food Standards Agency resources, and consider seeking professional regulatory advice before selling food products to ensure full compliance with current law.

Official resources you can refer to:

• GOV.UK guidance on food labelling: https://www.gov.uk/food-labellingand-packaging

• Food Standards Agency business guidance: https://www.food.gov.uk/business-guidance

Thinking about your new range of seasonings? Get in touch — we’ll help you define and create a truly outstanding product your customers will love.

Sanita Spices UK — Your Development Partner From Idea to Shelf

Whether you’re starting with a rough idea or already have a clear vision in mind, Sanita Spices UK is here to support you through every stage of creating your blend.

We can help with:

• Concept brainstorming and flavour direction

• Custom recipe development

• Prototyping and revisions

• Technical guidance and ingredient expertise

• Bulk supply or fully bespoke blends

• Private-label and white-label packaging

• Scalable production for both retail and manufacturing

Explore our full step-by-step guide:

How to Start Your Own Seasoning Brand in the UK

I. Should You Create a Custom Seasoning Blend? Understand when bespoke blends, proprietary mixes, or customised seasonings make sense commercially

II. How to Create Your Custom Spice Blend A practical blueprint for developing flavour profiles, balancing ingredients, and refining your blend through sampling.

III. How to Choose the Right Name for Your Seasoning Brand Learn how successful food brands approach naming — whether launching from scratch or extending an existing business.

IV. How to Choose the Right Packaging for Your Seasoning Brand Compare packaging strategies for online sales, retail shelves, and direct-to-consumer channels.

V. How to Position Your Seasoning Brand in the Right Market & Segment Define your market, analyse competitors, and carve out a clear positioning for long-term growth.

VI. What You MUST Include on Food Labels in the UK. A Guide for Aspiring Mix & Seasoning Makers If you're planning to launch your own spice mixes or seasoning blends in the UK, one of the first hurdles you’ll face is food labelling compliance.

VII. Private Label Spice & Seasoning Co-Packing: Your Legal and Food Safety Responsibilities as a Brand Owner A practical overview of your legal, health and safety, and compliance obligations when working with a co-packer in the spice and seasoning sector.

Discover our full capabilities across Spices & Seasonings, Custom Blend Development, White and Private Label Services

• Custom spice blend development for meat, plant-based, and ready-to-sell products

• White label & custom-size packaging tailored to your sales channels

• Private label solutions to build and scale your own brand

• Low MOQs, sampling, and refinement, supported by our in-house blending and packing facilities

If you’re ready to move beyond theory and start building, get in touch to discuss sampling, low MOQs, and how to bring your seasoning brand to market with confidence.