Food Labeling Regulations

Mandatory Labeling of Prepackaged Foods

• Exemptions from date of minimum durability: fresh fruits and vegetables, wines, bakers' or pastry-cooks' wares, beverages containing 10% or more by volume of alcohol, etc.
• Special storage conditions must be declared on the label if the validity of the date depends on them.

Instructions for Use

• Instructions for use, including reconstitution, must be included on the label as necessary to ensure correct utilization of the food.

Quantitative Ingredients Declaration

• A reference in the name of the food to an ingredient or category of ingredients does not require quantitative ingredient declaration if it would not mislead or deceive the consumer.
• The information required must be declared on the product label as a numerical percentage.
• The ingoing percentage, by weight or volume, of each ingredient must be given on the label in close proximity to the emphasized ingredient.

Date Marking and Storage Instructions

• The "date of minimum durability" must be declared, consisting of at least the day and month for products with a minimum durability of not more than three months, and the month and year for products with a minimum durability of more than three months.
• The date must be declared by the words "Best before..." or "Best before end...".
• The day, month, and year must be declared in uncoded numerical sequence, except that the month may be indicated by letters in those countries where such use will not confuse the consumer.

Presentation, Packaging, and Labeling of Fishery Products

• The product shall be presented as live, and chilled or frozen whole, whole-gutted tilapia, and chilled or frozen tilapia fillet with or without skin.
• Individual retail or bulk container shall contain only one species of tilapia, which are relatively uniform in size.
• The product shall be packed in food-grade packaging materials which are clean and free from any foreign matter or contaminant.
• The product shall be labeled according to the provisions of the Codex General Standard for the Labeling of Prepackaged Foods.

Retail Package/Container

• Each retail product package shall be labeled and marked with the following information:
  • The name of the product, including the scientific name in parentheses.
  • The net content by weight in metric system and/or number of pieces per pack.
  • The label shall state the storage conditions to maintain the best quality during transport, storage, and distribution.
  • The name and address of either of the following: manufacturer, packer, distributor, importer, exporter, or vendor.
  • The lot identification code/number.
  • The country of origin.
  • The pictorial presentation (optional).
  • The expiry date (DD/MM/YYYY) for Chilled and Frozen tilapia only.

Non-Retail Container

• Information on the provisions stated in Clause 9.3.1 shall be indicated either on the container or in accompanying documents, except that the name of the product, lot identification, and the name and address of the manufacturer or packer, as well as storage instructions, shall appear on the container.