Category: Uk law

The UK's legal framework for organic food is based on a retained version of EU law, establishing strict standards for production, processing, and labelling. This regulatory system ensures that any product marketed as 'organic' meets specific, verifiable criteria, protecting both consumers and producers.

Despite common misunderstandings, E127, also known as Erythrosine, is not completely banned in the UK; its use is strictly limited to certain products like cocktail cherries. A high-profile 2021 incident dubbed "Sprinklegate" highlighted the stringent regulations in place for the red food additive, underscoring significant health and safety concerns.

According to the Food Standards Agency (FSA), any food product consisting of or containing genetically modified organisms (GMOs) sold in Great Britain must undergo a rigorous authorisation process. While you can find products containing GM ingredients, they are not common and are subject to mandatory labelling rules.

A widespread misconception suggests Allura Red, or E129, is banned in the UK, yet it remains on the approved list of food colorings. While permitted, its use is heavily regulated, requiring a specific warning label on product packaging, a policy shaped by significant research into its health effects on children.

Saccharin, the first commercially produced low-calorie sweetener, has been in use in the UK since sugar shortages during World War I. Today, it remains a permitted food additive, but its usage is subject to stringent regulations to ensure consumer safety.

Food supplements in the UK are regulated as food, not medicine, so a product license is not needed for sale. A seller's primary requirement is to register their business as a Food Business Operator (FBO) with their local authority. This is a critical distinction that shapes the regulatory framework and responsibilities.

According to a September 2025 FSA survey, 89% of respondents were confident that the food they buy is safe to eat, though questions persist about how good are UK food standards following recent changes. This trust is built on a robust system, but recent shifts, particularly since Brexit, have introduced new complexities and potential vulnerabilities.

According to a 2019 survey, 79% of respondents believed that menus should include calorie counts. The reason why are calories on menus in the UK is largely due to new government legislation aimed at tackling obesity and promoting public health.

Since April 2022, a UK law has required large food businesses with over 250 employees to display calorie information on menus and food labels, including on third-party delivery apps like Just Eat. However, many smaller, independent restaurants are exempt from this mandatory requirement, which is why calorie counts are often missing from their menus on the app.

According to a 2021 RASFF notification, Diindolylmethane (DIM) was not authorised as a novel food in the EU, a regulation the UK largely follows. This means that while the **DIM supplement is banned in the UK** is a misnomer, its sale is restricted under novel food laws.