Category: Uk regulations

In April 2022, new legislation came into effect in England, requiring food businesses with over 250 employees to display calorie information on menus and food labels. This was part of a government initiative to help tackle rising obesity levels by giving consumers more transparent nutritional information.

According to a recent study by the UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA), a very small percentage of raw flour samples tested in the UK contained harmful bacteria like Salmonella and E. coli, confirming that while thoroughly cooked UK flour is safe, consumers should always avoid tasting or consuming it raw. This highlights the importance of understanding the journey your flour takes from field to kitchen and the safety standards in place to protect you.

In December 2023, UK Trading Standards officers seized thousands of pounds worth of illegally imported American sweets and soft drinks, including certain Mountain Dew products. This action highlights the core reason why Mountain Dew is banned in the UK: its American formula contains ingredients not authorized under British food safety legislation. This has led to widespread confusion and raids on shops selling the unapproved version of the popular soda.

In the UK, roasted coffee can only be labelled 'decaffeinated' if it contains no more than 0.1% caffeine by dry weight. This means that contrary to popular belief, decaf coffee does have caffeine, albeit in very small amounts, and is not truly caffeine-free.

Since the 1940s, most non-wholemeal wheat flour sold in the UK has been legally required to be fortified with specific nutrients to boost public health. This leads many home bakers to ask: Can I buy unfortified flour in the UK? The answer involves understanding the exceptions to these regulations and knowing where to source specialist alternatives.

A 2024 study on calorie-labelled menu items in England found an average absolute percentage difference of 21% from their actual energy content. So, just how accurate are calorie labels in the UK? The reality is more complex than it appears, with legal margins and calculation methods playing a significant role in the figures consumers see.

Since 1941, it has been mandatory in the UK to fortify all non-wholemeal wheat flour with certain nutrients, including calcium and iron, to improve public health. This practice, now codified in the Bread and Flour Regulations, was first introduced during the Second World War to combat dietary deficiencies.

As of October 2025, official Skittles ingredient lists from the manufacturer's UK website and major retailers confirm that titanium dioxide (E171) is not used in the formulation available in Great Britain. This directly answers the question: Do Skittles contain titanium dioxide in the UK?

While the United States recently announced a total ban on the food colourant E127 (Erythrosine, also known as Red 3), its legal status in the UK is different, sparking confusion among consumers. Contrary to a full prohibition, the UK heavily restricts the use of E127 to only a handful of specific food products.