Be sure your label meets all requirements

Does your product's label comply with all laws and regulations? And what claims are you allowed to make on the label? These are questions that occupy many producers and retailers. Complying with labelling requirements requires ready knowledge of the applicable legislation, and the current European and Dutch labelling laws are quite specific and extensive, as there are different requirements and exceptions for each product group. Moreover, Regulation (EU) 1169/2011 can be interpreted differently in each country, where different national legislation also applies.

This presents a challenge because an incorrect label can lead to (re)labelling or product recalls, which costs time and money, and, more importantly, incorrect allergen information poses a risk to consumer health. Eurofins Food Safety Solutions therefore offers the perfect solution: our specialists will check your product labels and help you to comply with all requirements, including in other languages, within the Netherlands and for export.

Our expertise ranges from food and pet food, to non-food products. Find out below what we can do for you.

Check: Label compliance

Our labelling specialists check whether your product’s Dutch label meets all the requirements. Does it include everything it needs to, from nutritional value, best before date and producer, to net weight and allergens, which are all mandatory fixed items for every product label? We also calculate the nutritional values per portion or reference intake – are these names and figures correct? 

Claims and images
We also check whether any claims made on the label meet the necessary requirements, otherwise such labels could be unintentionally misleading; for example, sometimes the name of the product may only be used when specific ingredients have been added.

Laws and interpretation
These and other requirements are laid down in food legislation Regulation (EU) 1169/2011. In the Netherlands, the requirements of the Dutch law also apply. Is there something on the label that is prohibited under these laws and regulations? In this case, our specialists will note any violations, always providing an explanation. Legislation and regulations sometimes raise questions about the interpretation of the law; our labelling specialists regularly consult with industry associations to get the latest insights.

Check: Retail guidelines

Retailers regularly impose additional specific requirements for labels, especially when it comes to their own private label products; for example, they may require icons related to waste or environmental friendliness. Upon request, our labelling specialists check these additional requirements during the label check.

Check: Ready for export?

We understand that it is difficult to know and understand the laws of every country. Fortunately, we also offer our label checking service for your worldwide exports, and can even provide you with advice before the label is created. We are happy to engage with our colleagues in the Eurofins network around the world; they have the labelling expertise and knowledge of local food labelling regulations required to ensure your label’s claims are sound and information complete. And that makes introducing your product in a new country a lot easier. We can also provide the reports in English.

Check: Translations

Based on the product specifications, our specialists can advise on the label requirements in the Netherlands or the country of import. Or – if you are already one step ahead – they can translate the label and check its content to see if, for example, additives and allergens are correctly described. Our extensive Eurofins network offers a solution for this service as well.

Just check: Advice

Our labelling specialists also provide customised advice for label compliance. Does the label check indicate that something is incorrect on your product label? Perhaps you’re wondering how to make sure your product may legally be labelled as 'jam' or 'mayonnaise', for example? Then you can contact us for additional advice on what is permitted and how you can solve the problem. Or maybe you have an individual question, without using our label check service – then you have also come to the right place. We can also provide an ingredient checker service, based on a product specification or analysis of nutritional values. In short, we are a one-stop shop for all your product-labelling questions.

Check: Nutri-Score for pilot participants

Some retailers and producers are participating in the Nutri-Score labelling pilot initiative. For these participants, we can check the calculation on which the Nutri-Score A to E is determined, to give you that extra certainty that everything tallies with what is written on the packaging. If Nutri-Score is rolled out from 2022, Eurofins Food Safety Solutions will be ready with extensive experience in Nutri-Score labelling.

Don’t forget pet food

In addition to a food label check, you can also opt for a pet food label check for the Dutch market. Our labelling specialists have knowledge of the FEDIAF guidelines, against which they check the labels of dog, cat or fish food, for example. This is specialist work, in which the raw materials used play a major role. With our expertise, you can be sure that your pet food label meets all the necessary requirements.

Non-food products, too

Eurofins is not only active in the food business; toilet paper, straws, sanitary towels, nappies and plasters are just a few examples of product packages with product specifications on the labels. Our customers regularly use our label check for these non-food products. We offer a total package for retailers: a one-stop-shop for all your label questions and checks.

Want to find out more?

Do you also want to be sure that your food, pet food or non-food label is correct and meets all the requirements, without the stress of working it out for yourself? We are happy to help! Please contact us at +31(0)888 31 03 30 or Orders-nl-fss@ftbnl.eurofins.com.