This article is for information only and is not legal advice. As a seller, you are responsible for making sure your food product listings follow current UK and EU regulations. We recommend regularly reviewing updates to applicable regulations and consulting legal counsel as needed.🚨 Seller Onboarding Requirements: Food and beverage items are classified as 'Invite Only Products' and can only be sold by sellers who complete an invite-only onboarding process. Required documentation includes:

• Food Business Operator (FBO) Registration: All sellers must register with their local authority. Valid Food Standards Agency hygiene ratings are also accepted. For more details, visit UK Government Guidance.
• HACCP Plan: Manufacturers must submit a Hazard Analysis and Critical Control Point (HACCP) plan to ensure product safety from biological, chemical, and physical hazards.

UK Requirements

From 1 January 2021, an amended version of the EU Food Information to Consumers Regulation (EU FIC) applies in the UK under the Food (Amendment) (EU Exit) Regulations 2019/529. Different rules apply in:

• Great Britain (England, Scotland, Wales)
• Northern Ireland

For distance selling (e.g. online), mandatory food information must be provided both:

• At the point of sale (e.g. product detail page via images or text), and
• At the point of delivery

📍Note: Product images and descriptions must be clear, consistent, and not contradict each other.

Scope of UK Food Regulations

UK food regulations apply to all products sold within the UK, but requirements differ between Great Britain (England, Scotland, and Wales) and Northern Ireland. The term "food" (or "foodstuff") includes any substance or product processed, partially processed, or unprocessed, that is intended or reasonably expected to be consumed by humans.

Pre-packed Food Products Requirements

Pre-packed foods are products packaged before being offered for sale, where the contents cannot be altered without opening or changing the packaging. Examples include frozen foods, tinned fruit, and pantry staples like cereals and biscuits.
The following details must appear on the product detail page and/or physical label:

• All required information must be provided in the official language of the country where the product is sold (e.g., English for the UK)
• Information must be clearly visible, easy to read, and meet the minimum font size requirements set by applicable regulations.

Mandatory Labelling Requirements for Pre-packed Products

Depending on the product, certain information must be included on the label:

Allergen Labelling

Ingredients known to cause allergic reactions must be clearly indicated within the ingredients list.
If a product contains any of the allergens listed in Annex II of Regulation (EU) No 1169/2011, these must be distinctly highlighted (e.g., using uppercase letters, bold font, or a contrasting typeface) to draw consumer attention. The following allergens, as listed in Annex II of Regulation 1169/2011/EC, must be declared, in the 'Attributes' section, if present in a product:
The recognised allergens include:

• Cereals containing gluten (e.g., wheat, rye, barley, oats, spelt, kamut, and hybrids thereof), with exceptions such as wheat-based glucose syrups and certain distillates.
• Crustaceans and their derivatives
• Eggs and egg-based products
• Fish and fish-based products (excluding specific gelatines and isinglass)
• Peanuts and derivatives
• Soybeans and related products (excluding fully refined oils and specified derivatives)
• Milk and milk-based products (including lactose, with some exceptions)
• Tree nuts (e.g., almonds, hazelnuts, walnuts, cashews, pecans, Brazil nuts, pistachios, macadamia nuts)
• Celery and products derived from it
• Mustard and its derivatives
• Sesame seeds and products
• Sulphur dioxide and sulphites (>10 mg/kg or 10 mg/L in the finished product)
• Lupin and related products
• Molluscs and products thereof

Per UK legal requirements, food and beverage items must declare accurate allergen information, including the presence or absence of specific regulated allergens.

Country of Origin Requirements

Country of origin labelling is mandatory for certain foods, such as beef, honey, fruits, vegetables, fish, and olive oil. Specific rules include:

• Unprocessed meats must state where the animal was reared and slaughtered
• The country of origin must be disclosed if omitting it could mislead consumers. For example, if branding suggests the product is Italian but it is actually made in the UK.
• If the primary ingredient comes from a different country than where the final product is manufactured, this must be clearly indicated (e.g., "Made in England using pork from Denmark").
• Only one country can be listed as the official origin at a time, per EU Regulation 1169/2011 (retained in UK law).
• If origin varies (e.g., seasonal sourcing), explain this on the product page and list possible countries. The accurate origin must appear on the physical label upon delivery.

Claims on Food Products

All claims must comply with applicable UK regulations, including the retained and amended EU Regulation (EC) No. 1924/2006, as implemented in the UK by Nutrition (Amendment etc.) (EU Exit) Regulations 2019/651.
Claims must not mislead consumers about:

• Quality, quantity, or size
• Price
• Ingredients or composition
• Date, place, or method of manufacture
• Effects or benefits of the product
• Endorsements by individuals or organisations

🚨 Important: Claims that a food or ingredient can treat, prevent, or cure a disease or medical condition are prohibited.

Claims on Nutrition and Health Products

What Are Nutrition Claims?

Nutrition claims refer to statements that suggest a food has specific nutritional benefits due to the presence, absence, or altered levels of energy or nutrients (e.g. "low fat", "high fibre", "source of calcium").
Only claims listed in the Annex of EU Regulation (EC) No. 1924/2006 are permitted and may be used only if the product meets the defined conditions (e.g. “low fat” = ≤ 3g fat per 100g for solids)

What are Health Claims?

Health claims describe a relationship between a food (or ingredient) and health (e.g., “calcium supports bone health”).

Health Claims: What’s Not Allowed

• Be misleading or imply harm if the product is not consumed
• State a specific rate or amount of weight loss
• Reference individual endorsements from medical professionals
• Encourage excessive consumption
• Suggest that alternative foods are unsafe or inferior
• Exploit fear or anxiety about health or bodily functions

Product Detail Page: What to Include

At the point of sale, the following mandatory information must be displayed on the product detail page. All information must be clear and accurate to ensure compliance:

• Clear images of product front and back packaging
• Images and text information must be consistent
• Provide text descriptions listing ingredients and allergens, or a statement if allergen labeling is not applicable in the 'Attributes' section in Seller Center (see video below)
• Indicate whether the product is classified as HFSS (High in Fat, Salt, or Sugar)
• The same mandatory information must be provided upon delivery to the buyer

📍To learn more, visit TikTok Shop Restricted Product Policy

Packed Food

Other Possible Food Labelling pictures

Product pictures with a single label

Food & Beverage Product Labelling Information

Sellers must provide food and beverage product labelling and nutritional information upon request, clearly showing the following:

• Product name
• Ingredients list
• Allergens (or a declaration if allergen labelling is not required)
• Picture of the product label or packaging with clear ingredients list
• Durability Indication: Indicate either:
  • The "best before" date for products with a longer shelf life, or
  • The "use by" date for highly perishable foods that may pose a risk to health if consumed after that date.
• Nutritional information
• Net quantity
• Country of origin (if applicable)
• Storage conditions (if applicable)
• Usage instructions and/or warnings (if applicable)

🚨Important: Please ensure that the label in the uploaded image is from the actual physical product. Digitally rendered images will not be accepted.

Product Detail Page Requirements for Non-Alcoholic Drinks

Sellers must comply with UK regulations for non-alcoholic drinks before listing on TikTok Shop:

• Non-alcoholic drinks can contain up to 0.5% Alcohol By Volume (ABV). Products exceeding 0.5% ABV are prohibited.
• The label “Non-alcoholic” must not be used with names typically associated with alcoholic beverages, except for non-alcoholic wine made from unfermented grape juice exclusively for communion or sacramental use, which must be clearly labelled as such.
• The label “Alcohol-Free” is reserved for products containing no more than 0.5% ABV. These products must display their ABV% on the product image or clearly state they contain no alcohol.
• The label “De-alcoholised” applies to drinks where alcohol has been removed, containing up to 0.5% ABV. These must indicate their alcohol content or clearly state they contain no alcohol.

Mandatory Listing Requirements:

• Product Image: Must display the ABV% on the packaging and product image. All listings must comply with TikTok Shop Community Guidelines
• Product Description: Must include detailed, accurate descriptions with the ABV%, matching the information shown in the product image.

Unsupported Food and Beverage Products

TikTok Shop UK does not support certain food and beverage products, including but not limited to:

• Alcoholic drinks
• Baby formula (powdered and liquid)
• Food and beverage additives such as potassium bromate, olestra, and brominated vegetable oil

For a full list of restricted or unsupported products, please refer to the TikTok Shop Restricted Products Guidelines or contact your Account Manager.