New European Union food labelling rules come into force today. The aim is to ensure consumers get clearer, more comprehensive and more accurate details on food content.
The regulations will be phased in and mean that font sizes on labels will be larger.
Information on allergens must be clearly displayed on food, including by restaurants.
Any products which have been defrosted will be labelled accordingly - as will those which contain 'formed meat' or 'formed fish'.
Mandatory nutrition labelling on processed will not be brought in for another two years.
Food business operators have been given three years to ensure a smooth transition towards the new labelling regime.
The changes also mean that there will be the same labelling requirements for online, distance-selling or buying in a shop.
They will also have to have a list of engineered nanomaterials in the ingredients and specific information on the vegetable origin of refined oils and fats.
