Food standards in the supply of food and drink
The law says anybody importing, manufacturing or supplying, food or drink must ensure the products meet a set of standards including matters relating, but not limited to:
- Labelling
- Allergens and allergen management
- Ingredients
- Compositional standards
- Health and nutritional claims
- Misleading descriptions verbally, written or pictorial on packaging, websites and advertising
- Food contact materials e.g. food packaging, plates
- Best before and use by dates
- Traceability of ingredients and products
- Novel or innovative food stuffs e.g. CBD
For matters relating to food hygiene, food borne illness and foreign bodies in food, contact your local Environmental Health Service.
If you have any food standards concerns to report, please contact the Citizens Advice Consumer Service on 0808 223 1133.
Food incidents and recalls
Get details of the latest news and food alerts from the Food Standards Agency.
Operating a food business
If you operate a food business, you are required to register it with your Local Authority.
Please note, the term 'supply' includes, in most circumstances, items given away for free. If you are importing foods from outside of Great Britain, you become responsible for that product and its labelling.
All food products on sale on the British market must bear the labelling in English. Other languages may also be present.
A business is also required to notify their local authority of any food incidents which have taken place. This can be done in Nottinghamshire by emailing trading.standards@nottscc.gov.uk.
Get information and guidance relating to food incidents and corrective actions that may be required.
Guidance and further information for businesses
We want to work with businesses to help get things right first time and to effectively and efficiently focus resources. If you have any questions please don’t hesitate to contact our business advice team.
The Food Standards Agency has further guidance for food businesses. You can also get more information on running a food business from Business Companion.
Please note that whilst this information page gives an overview of matters, it is important to not view these in isolation and to consider other requirements and guidance applicable to your products, e.g. weights and measures, how you weigh or measure length, liquid, or weight "green claims" e.g. organic; and selling food for delivery e.g. via website or social media.
Many food businesses supply surplus food stuffs into the animal feed chain. You will need to register to do this and ensure that you are compliant with legislative requirements. Please visit the appropriate animal feed pages on our site for further details.
