Food Supplement Compliance: Your Questions Answered
With over 30 years of food industry expertise, we answer the most common questions about UK food labelling regulations, allergen declarations, nutrition panels, and international compliance. Our food labeling software automates these checks so you can focus on growing your business.
Who is responsible for the accuracy of a food supplement label?
Under UK law, the Food Business Operator (FBO) bears ultimate legal responsibility for label accuracy. This includes the manufacturer, packer, or the first seller placing the product on the UK market. The Food Information Regulations 2014 (FIR 2014) require that all mandatory information — including the product name, ingredient list, allergen declarations, net quantity, nutrition declaration, and business address — is accurate, legible, and not misleading. Even if you outsource label design or printing, the FBO remains liable for any non-compliance. Our food labeling software helps you verify every element before your label goes to print.
What is the difference between a Nutrition Facts panel and a Supplement Facts panel?
A Nutrition Facts panel is required on conventional food products sold in the United States under FDA regulations (21 CFR 101.9). It displays calories, macronutrients, and micronutrients per serving. A Supplement Facts panel, governed by 21 CFR 101.36, is specifically for dietary supplements and must list each active ingredient, the amount per serving, and the % Daily Value. In the UK, the equivalent is the nutrition declaration required under the Food Information Regulations 2014, which uses a per-100g format alongside an optional per-serving column. Our nutrition label generator can produce compliant panels for both UK and US markets.
How does your allergen detection tool work?
Our allergen declaration tool cross-references your ingredient list against a comprehensive database of the 14 major allergens that must be declared under UK and EU law (Annex II of Regulation (EU) No 1169/2011, retained in UK law). The system checks for direct allergen ingredients, allergen derivatives (such as lecithin from soya), and 407 known synonyms and alternative names. It flags any ingredient that matches or partially matches an allergen, including less obvious sources like casein (milk), albumin (egg), or hydrolysed vegetable protein (which may contain wheat). The tool also checks for correct emphasis formatting — allergens must appear in bold, italics, or CAPITALS within the ingredient list as required by the Food Standards Agency (FSA).
Do I need laboratory testing to create a nutrition table for my food supplement?
Laboratory testing is not always mandatory for creating a nutrition declaration, but it is strongly recommended for accuracy and legal defensibility. Under UK law, you may calculate nutritional values using recognised food composition databases (such as McCance and Widdowson's The Composition of Foods) or supplier certificates of analysis. However, the FSA and local Trading Standards expect that declared values are accurate within legally defined tolerances. For novel ingredients, proprietary blends, or products making specific nutrition claims, independent laboratory analysis from a UKAS-accredited facility provides the most reliable data. Our supplement label review tool can work with both calculated and laboratory-tested values.
What are the key differences between UK and US food supplement labels?
UK and US food supplement labels differ in several fundamental ways. The UK requires a nutrition declaration per 100g (with optional per-serving), allergens emphasised in the ingredient list, a registered business address, lot/batch marking, and compliance with the Food Supplements (England) Regulations 2003. The US requires a Supplement Facts panel with per-serving values, different Daily Value percentages, a "Dietary Supplement" statement, and compliance with DSHEA (Dietary Supplement Health and Education Act 1994). Health claims also diverge significantly: the UK follows the GB Nutrition and Health Claims Register (derived from EU Regulation 432/2012), while the US permits structure/function claims with a mandatory FDA disclaimer. Our FDA compliant supplement facts generator handles the conversion between both formats.
What information is legally required on a food label in the United Kingdom?
Under the Food Information Regulations 2014 (FIR 2014) and retained EU Regulation 1169/2011, every pre-packed food product sold in the UK must display: the name of the food (legal, customary, or descriptive), a full list of ingredients in descending order of weight, allergen information emphasised within the ingredient list, net quantity in metric units, a date of minimum durability (best before or use by), storage conditions, the name and address of the food business operator, country of origin (where required), nutrition declaration per 100g, instructions for use (if necessary), and an alcoholic strength (for beverages over 1.2% ABV). Food supplements must additionally include a "food supplement" designation, the names and amounts of active ingredients, a recommended daily dose, a warning not to exceed the stated dose, a statement that supplements should not be used as a substitute for a varied diet, and a "keep out of reach of children" warning. Our UK food compliance checker verifies all of these requirements automatically.
Our Compliance Data Sources
Every answer on this page is grounded in current UK and international food law. Our compliance checking tools cross-reference data from these authoritative sources:
Explore More Compliance Resources
Ultimate Guide to Label Compliance
Our comprehensive pillar guide covering UK, EU, and US food supplement label compliance in one resource.
Compliance Blog
In-depth articles on UK food labelling, health claims, allergen regulations, HFSS rules, and more.
Our Compliance Services
12 AI-powered compliance tools including allergen checking, health claims verification, and label building.