UK Government has issued updated guidance on food and drink labelling in the event of leaving the EU with a ‘no deal’.

While food businesses will have a 21 month transition period for the most significant changes to food labels, in the event of ‘no deal’ Brexit there are some technical changes to labels that will be required from day one. 

For products placed on the UK market after 29th March 2019, these changes include:

• The EU emblem must not be used on goods produced in the UK unless a company has been authorised by the EU to do so;
• The EU organic logo must not be used on any UK organic products, unless the UK and EU reach an equivalency arrangement – where both still recognise each other’s standards - before exit day; and
• It will be inaccurate to label UK food as origin ‘EU’. Additional information such as signage in shops and online information will help clarify to the consumer the origin of the food.

Food and drink products that have already been placed on the UK market on or before 29th March 2019 can continue to be sold through until the stocks are exhausted.