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As a manufacturer of any food or related product looking to register with the NAFDAC, you must comply with the NAFDAC labelling requirements before your registration will be completed. This article covers NAFDAC requirements for prepackaged foods, drinks and water. The categories of food products that need to meet this requirement includes but are not limited to all kinds of processed foods, packaged dairy products, soft drinks, alcoholic beverages, ingredients and spices, sachet water, bottled water etc. These requirements apply to food, drinks and water manufactured, imported, distributed and sold in Nigeria.
NAFDAC Labelling Requirements for Pre-packaged Foods, Drinks and Water
Name of the Product
- The name of the product should be written boldly or indicated on the Principle Display Panel (PDP) in the label, describing the true nature of the food and not a generic name.
- The name of the product may also be the brand or trademarked name provided it is not misleading or confusing to consumers. Also, where a brand name is used, the type of product should also be included beneath. E.g. “CARDBURY BOURNVITA…CHOCOLATE DRINK”.
- The name must also not be couched in a way that creates an unrealistic impression in the minds of consumers about the safety of the product.
- The name should also not encourage consumption of food products that are detrimental to the health of children.
- The name of the product must conform to the Codex Standards for pre-packaged food labelling.
List of Ingredients
- The list of every ingredient used in preparation of the food must be on the label and the weight of each in mass (m/m).
- If a particular ingredient is a mixture of two or more ingredients, each of the ingredients must be stated in brackets.
- Ingredients known to be allergens or known to cause hypersensitivity must also be particularly indicated.
- Added water should also form part of the ingredients except where water forms part of the ingredient such as syrup or broth, brine etc.
- Food additives carried over from raw materials to perform a processing function in the food when it is used must be listed.
Net Content of Pre-packaged Foods
- The average net content of every pre-packaged food must be described on the label as follows:
- Liquid food or water – in volume.
- Solid food or ice – by weight or number count
- Semi-solid or viscous food – by weight or volume
- If a food item is sold but contains liquid (like canned fruit in syrup or beans in water), and the liquid is usually poured out before you eat the food, the package must state the weight of the food without the liquid.
- if a product is sold in multi-unit packages (e.g., a box containing several smaller packages inside), the outer packaging must clearly display:
- The number of individual units inside.
- The net content (weight, volume, etc.) of each unit.
- The total content of the entire multi-unit package.
Details of the Manufacturer
- The name and address of a manufacturer, packer, re-packer, distributor, import, exporter or vendor of a pre-packaged food should be included on the label.
- The corporate head office address of the manufacturer should also be included on the label, provided that the label also contains a mark that a consumer can use to easily identify the processing facility.
Date of Manufacture and Expiry
- The date of manufacture must be written clearly on the label in a (DD/MM/YYYY) format and should be introduced with the words “Date of Manufacture”.
- There should also be a Best Before date in the (DD/MM/YYYY) format. A Best Before date is not necessary for foods like fresh fruits; vegetables; tubers that have not been peeled or cut; non-fortified solid sugar; non-iodized food salts; vinegar and baked goods or pastries.
- A Bar code with all vital and traceable information should also be included on the label.
- if the product has multiple items inside an outer wrapper (which the customer might throw away), the important date (like the expiration or best-before date) must be displayed both on the outer packaging and on the individual items that the customer keeps.
Storage Conditions
The required storage conditions for each food product must be specified on the label.
Batch Number specification
The batch number of each product must be specified on the label. A batch number is a unique identification code assigned to a specific group of products that were made at the same time and under similar conditions. This helps with quality control and allows for quick identification in case of recalls or safety concerns.
Registration Number
The NAFDAC registration number (NAFDAC Reg No.) as issued in the certificate should be included on the label. Usually, during NAFDAC registration, businesses submit labels with a placeholder for the registration number, which is issued after successful registration. Once received, the label must be updated with the official number before the product is released. This ensures compliance while allowing for post-registration label adjustments.
Language
The primary language for any writing on the label should be in English. Any other language may be included to enhance accessibility and ease of reference for a broader audience.
Ionizing Radiation
A pre-packaged food which has been treated with ionizing radiation must be stated on the label, as well as the nature of the treatment, very close to the name.
If an irradiated food is used as an ingredient in the food product, it must be indicated. Also, the international food irradiation symbol shall be indicated on the label of all irradiated foods, close to the name.
If a single ingredient product has been processed from a raw material which has been irradiated, the label must contain a statement indicating the treatment.
Direction for Use
There must also be appropriate and clear directions for the use of the product where necessary.
Frozen Foods
The form of freezing the food product must be indicated on the label.
Nutritional Information
Any nutritional claim should be justified clearly in the nutritional information part of the label. Nutritional Information per 100g/100ml/ should be indicated on the label as follows:
- Energy value (in Kj/kcal)
- Amounts of fat whether saturated fat or trans-fat; carbohydrate; quantity of sugar; protein; salt
- Any other nutrient with a nutrition or health claim
For Products Containing Fats and Oils:
Amount/type of fatty acids or cholesterol should be indicated as follows:
- Saturated fatty acids (in grams); monounsaturated fatty acids (in grams); polyunsaturated fatty acids (in grams); Cholesterol (in milligrams); and trans fatty acids (in grams).
Vitamins and Minerals:
Vitamins and minerals should be expressed both per 100g/ml and as a percentage of the Nutrient Reference Value. If present in amounts less than 5% of the Nutrient Reference Value per 100g/100ml or per serving, they do not need to be declared.
Quantitative Ingredients
If a label highlights one or more valuable or characterizing ingredients, the percentage of these ingredients by mass in the final product must be declared. Similarly, if the label emphasizes the low content of certain ingredients, their percentage by mass must also be declared. Note that, merely mentioning an ingredient in the food’s name or using it as a flavoring does not constitute special emphasis.
Bulk Stock Labeling:
Bulk stock containers must be labeled according to the same standards as individually packaged foods, with legible and conspicuous lettering. If the bulk stock is individually packed and labeled, the bulk container does not need to comply with these labeling requirements.
Also, re-packaged food should have the expiration date from the bulk stock label.
Grade Designations:
Where there are grade designations, they should be clear and not misleading or deceptive.
NAFDAC Labelling requirements for Malt Drinks
In addition to the above labelling requirements, malt drinks should specifically comply with the following labelling requirements:
Manufacturer’s Details
Where a manufacturer has facilities in many cities or towns, the corporate head office would suffice provided every malt drink has a code or mark to identify the processing facility, where it was manufactured.
Flavouring
Where a flavouring has been added to malt drink to render a distinctive flavour to it, the product name concerned shall come before the descriptive name for the distinctive flavour.
Nutritional Information
Nutritional facts per 100ml or per serving of the product should be provided on the label containing the following:
- energy value in KJ/kcal
- carbohydrate with specification of the quantity of sugar
- vitamins and minerals shall be expressed per 100ml and/or as a percentage on Nutrient Reference Value.
- the amount of any other nutrient for which a nutrition or health claim is made.
NAFDAC Labelling Requirements For Soft Drinks
Soft drinks include all carbonated and non-carbonated drinks; diet and energy drinks; flavored and tonic water etc. The above general labelling regulations should be complied with, where applicable. In addition to those, the following requirements are also applicable:
Appropriate Wordings
Labelling of soft drinks should not bear the word “fruit juice” unless:
- the fruit content is as prescribed in NAFDAC’s Fruit Juice Nectar Regulations
- the fruit juice content is 5% and above
Also, ensure that the package of the soft drink does not show any pictures, images and likeness of fruits, unless the fruit juice content is not less than 5%.
Fruit Information
Every package containing fruit squash, fruit cordial or fruit crush of the standard of composition prescribed by NAFDAC should be part of the labelling, indicating the nature of the contents and the fruits from which they have been prepared.
In the same vein, every package containing imitation, synthetic or artificial squash, or cordial or crush with their synonymous names or of same composition should carry a label with the words “flavoured…” and in close proximity to this, in the same letter and colour type should bear the words “contain no natural fruit juice.”
NAFDAC Labelling Requirements for Spirits Drinks
Spirits drinks include champagne, whiskeys, liquors, brandy, rum, gin, vodka etc. Again, the general regulation on labelling applies, and in addition to those, the following requirements also apply to all kinds of spirit drinks:
Name of the Product
The name of the product should be presented in a way that protects the geographical indications and designation of the Spirits drink. This means that if the drink is linked to a specific region (like Champagne from France or Tequila from Mexico), the labeling should respect and preserve this connection.
Packaging requirement
Spirit drinks that are packaged in PET bottles, sachets, or foils must follow the general labelling guidelines and other guidelines set by the NAFDAC from time to time. It is pertinent to know that the production of spirits drinks in bottles and sachets below 200ml is prohibited and will not be approved for registration with the NAFDAC.
Age Restriction
All kinds of spirit drinks must boldly indicate the age restriction of “18+” on its label.
Health Claims
There should be no health claims of any sort on the label of all kinds of spirit drinks.
Lastly, the classification of food addtives are expressed below to help with appropriate labelling:
Conclusion
As a manufacturer of any pre-packaged food, drink or water, you are to expected to comply strictly with these requirements; avoid dishonesty or forgery; and ensure that no product that is expired or without appropriate labelling is in circulation for public consumption.
Failure to comply with the above requirements will be deemed an offence punishable with one (1) year imprisonment term, and will also attract a penalty fee of N800,000 (for an individual) and N5,000,000,000 (for companies).
We hope that this article has been useful. Kindly contact us to get your products registered with the NAFDAC.