The basic rule
The food information rules require the quantity of an ingredient to be shown when it:
- appears in the name of the food (“Turmeric & Black Pepper”)
- is usually associated with the name by consumers
- is emphasised on the label in words, pictures or graphics (“with real strawberry”, a picture of blueberries)
- is essential to characterise the food.
The quantity is normally a percentage, shown in the ingredients list or next to the name.
How it works for supplements
Food supplements already have to show the amount of each nutrient or active substance per daily dose. Where the law already requires an ingredient’s quantity on the label, QUID isn’t needed for it, so for the active ingredients the nutrient table usually covers this. “Turmeric extract 500 mg” per daily dose tells the shopper how much they’re getting.
Where QUID still catches supplements
It applies to ingredients you emphasise that aren’t in the nutrient table, for example:
- “with real fruit” or a picture of fruit on a gummy or greens powder
- “with added ginger” or “with MCT oil” when those aren’t declared in the table
- a hero botanical in a flavoured protein powder sold as ordinary food.
In these cases, add the percentage in the ingredients list: “Strawberry powder (2%)”.
Flavours and small amounts
An ingredient used in small amounts purely as flavouring doesn’t need a QUID declaration, and neither does one that appears in the name but doesn’t influence why people buy it. “Chocolate flavour” protein, flavoured with flavourings rather than actual chocolate, is a naming issue: call it “chocolate flavour”, not “chocolate”.
Extracts and equivalents
Extract claims like “equivalent to 10,000 mg turmeric root” are a related trap. Show the actual extract amount as the main figure and give the equivalent clearly as secondary information, so it doesn’t mislead. See botanical and herbal supplement labels.
Not sure whether your label needs a QUID? We’ll flag it in our compliance check.
Not legal advice. This guide covers the general rules for food supplements sold in Great Britain. Check your own product with a regulatory adviser, your local Trading Standards team or your Primary Authority partner.