The brand owner is responsible
Under food law, the business responsible for the food information is the one whose name the food is marketed under. If it’s your brand on the pack, that’s you, not the manufacturer. You answer for the claims, the ingredients list, the nutrient amounts and the warnings, even if the manufacturer supplied the artwork.
Which name and address
The label must show the name and a UK address of the responsible business for products sold in Great Britain. It must be a physical postal address, not a PO box, email or phone number. If the business isn’t based in the UK, show the UK importer’s address. For Northern Ireland, an NI or EU address is needed. You can add “Manufactured for [your brand] by [manufacturer]” if you want, but it isn’t required.
Register as a food business
Register with your local council at least 28 days before you start trading. This applies even if you work from home and never touch the product, because you’re placing food on the market. Registration is free.
What to get from your manufacturer
- the full formula and specification, including carriers, capsule shells and allergens
- a certificate of analysis for each batch
- the shelf-life rationale or stability data
- evidence of the manufacturer’s quality certification
- confirmation that every ingredient is permitted in the UK, and not a novel food without authorisation
Don’t trust supplied artwork blindly
Manufacturers’ stock label templates are a starting point, not a sign-off. We often see templates with US wording, claims stronger than the register, outdated addresses and per-capsule figures where the dose is two. Your brand name on it means your liability. See 12 mistakes we see every week.
Launching quickly
A white label launch can go from formula to shelf in a few weeks. Send us the manufacturer’s specification and your brand assets: we’ll design the label around the legal panel, check it and print short runs from 250. See the labelling timeline for a new brand.
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.