4. Labeling Requirements

Quick-frozen Foodstuffs
EU

This section provides information on labeling requirements and the label approval process.

4.1 Mandatory Labeling Parameters

Category

Quick-frozen foodstuffs

Please refer to Section 4.1 of the "General Foods" guidebook of the European Union (EU).

Additionally, the below mandatory parameters apply to the category of "Quick-frozen Foodstuffs" [1]:

1. The word “quick-frozen” shall be added to the sales name.
2. In addition to the date of minimum durability, the period during which quick-frozen products may be stored by the purchaser and the storage temperature and/or type of storage equipment required must be indicated.
3. The labeling of any quick-frozen foodstuff must include a reference from which the batch may be identified.
4. The label of any quick-frozen foodstuff must bear a clear message of the type 'do not refreeze after defrosting'.

Product

Frozen Potato Products - Deep Fried

Same as "Category" above.

Frozen Cheese Snack Products - Deep Fried

Same as "Category" above.

4.2 Languages

Please refer to Section 4.2 of the "General Foods" guidebook of the European Union (EU).

4.3 Mandatory Information on Stickers

Please refer to Section 4.3 of the "General Foods" guidebook of the European Union (EU).

4.4 Product Legal Name

Please refer to Section 4.4 of the "General Foods" guidebook of the European Union (EU).

4.5 Product-specific Labeling Statements

Category

Quick-frozen foodstuffs

N/A

Product

Frozen Potato Products - Deep Fried

Same as "Frozen Cheese Snack products - Deep Fried" below.

Frozen Cheese Snack Products - Deep Fried

When a product uses protected designations of origin (PDOs) or protected geographical indications (PGIs) as ingredients (e.g. Halloumi cheese), the EU Guidelines [2] are highly recommended to be observed. Among the recommendations:

• The foodstuff in question should not contain any other ‘comparable ingredient’, i.e. any other ingredient that may partially or totally replace the ingredient benefiting from a PDO or PGI. For instance, a blue-veined cheese (commonly known as ‘blue cheese’) could be considered comparable to ‘Roquefort’ cheese. 
• This ingredient should also be used in sufficient quantities to confer an essential characteristic on the foodstuff concerned.  
• The percentage of incorporation of an ingredient with a PDO or PGI should ideally be indicated in or in close proximity to the trade name of the relevant foodstuff or, failing that, in the list of ingredients, in direct relation to the ingredient in question.

Note the above recommendations are in the process of becoming mandatory [3]. 

4.6 Authority Approval

N/A

4.7 Additional Notes on Labeling

Please refer to Section 4.7 of the "General Foods" guidebook of the European Union (EU) for additional notes on the:

1. Presentation of mandatory particulars
2. Voluntary information
3. Labeling of organic food
4. Labeling relating to recycling
5. Labeling of Halal, Kosher, Vegan

4.8 References

1. Council Directive 89/108/EEC of 21 December 1988 on the approximation of the laws of the Member States relating to quick-frozen foodstuffs for human consumption

https://eur-lex.europa.eu/legal-content/EN/TXT/?uri=celex%3A31989L0108 

2. Guidelines on the labelling of foodstuffs using protected designations of origin (PDOs) or protected geographical indications (PGIs) as ingredients

https://eur-lex.europa.eu/legal-content/EN/TXT/?uri=CELEX%3A52010XC1216(01)

3. EU Council reached final approval on new regulation to protect geographical indications

https://www.consilium.europa.eu/en/press/press-releases/2024/03/26/council-adopts-law-to-strengthen-protection-for-geographical-indications-for-foods-and-drinks/