Is This Actually the Product Label or Do We Know How It Should Look?

Product labelling is one of the elements of the food safety policy to which the government and the food manufacturer are responsible. The label should be the most reliable information about the product that is on our table. Due to the different rules in the European Union and the Regulation on labelling of foodstuffs and permitted additives, the Commission has decided to harmonise the rules on food labelling and the new rules governing the appearance and consumption of fishery products from other countries. The product labelling should be one of those elements to which food safety is the responsibility of the Government and the producer of food. The labelling must be the fairest information on the product which is on the table. Given the various regulations in the EU market, the EU has decided that it is necessary to unify rules on the labeling of food and other food products from the country where the product is intended to be consumed.

A compliant food product label must present all mandatory information in Polish, formatted in a manner that is legible, unambiguous, and prominently displayed. This includes: the **precise designation of the food product**; **identification details of the manufacturer or importer**, including the full registered address; a **comprehensive ingredient list**, with **allergenic components clearly emphasized** (such as soy, gluten, sesame, tree nuts, lactose-containing milk, eggs); either the **"use-by" date** („consume by: [day/month/year]“) for perishable items or the **"best-before" date** („best before end: [month/year]“) for longer-shelf-life products; the **net quantity** expressed in grams/kilograms (for solids) or milliliters/liters (for liquids), reflecting the weight/volume excluding packaging; the **batch/lot number** (optionally prefixed with „L“); a **barcode (EAN/UPC)**; **preparation or usage instructions**, provided in textual or pictorial form; **storage conditions** specifying the environment required to preserve sensory and nutritional quality (e.g., „store at 4–8°C“, „protect from moisture“, „refrigerate after opening and consume within 3 days“); a **nutrition facts panel** detailing energy value and nutrient content (proteins, fats—including saturates, carbohydrates—broken down into sugars, fiber, salt, vitamins, minerals); **nutrition and health claims**, which must be scientifically substantiated (e.g., „high in fiber“, „low sodium“) and exclude any suggestions of medicinal benefits, weight-loss efficacy, or third-party endorsements. Additional elements may include: **Guideline Daily Amounts (GDA)**, comparing the product’s nutrient content per serving to daily reference intakes; **shelf-life indicators**, differentiated by durability (under 3 months: exact date; 3–18 months: month/year; over 18 months: year only). Mastering label literacy empowers consumers to make informed choices that align with health-conscious and balanced dietary habits.