The short answer: read a food label in this order. Start with the name of the food, then the ingredients list (ingredients appear in descending order of weight), look for any percentages, check the allergens in bold or a different style, read any “may contain” note, then the date mark, storage advice and net quantity. A genuinely simple pantry product usually has a short list you can understand at a glance.
“Natural”, “pure” and “raw” are words you will see on many packs. They tell you how a product is marketed, but the facts you can actually compare are on the label itself. This guide walks through each part of a typical European food label, using a few products from our own pantry shelf as real examples, so you can choose simple, single-ingredient foods with confidence.
Why labels in the EU look the way they do
Across the European Union, the information on prepacked food is set by Regulation (EU) No 1169/2011 on the provision of food information to consumers, often called the FIC Regulation. According to the European Commission, it has applied since 13 December 2014, with the nutrition declaration required since 13 December 2016. It also sets the same labelling requirements for food bought online or in a shop.
So when you shop online, read the product page as carefully as you would read the back of a pack.
Step 1: the name of the food
The legal name of the food describes what it actually is. “Sea salt”, “peanut butter” and “dried green vegetable blend” are clear names. If a pack only gives you a fancy brand name, look further for a plain description.
Step 2: the ingredients list
The ingredients list is the most useful part of any label. Three rules make it easy to read:
- Order by weight. Ingredients are listed in descending order of weight at the time they were used. The first ingredient is the main one.
- Additives are named by their job. Additives are shown with their function (for example “anti-caking agent”, “emulsifier” or “preservative”) followed by their specific name or E number.
- Single-ingredient foods may have no list at all. If a food consists of one ingredient and its name already says what it is, an ingredients list is not required.
What a short list looks like in practice
Our Celtic Sea Salt is a good example of a single-ingredient food: it is unrefined sea salt with no anti-caking agents and no additives. It is also not kiln-dried, so it stays slightly moist and can clump, which is normal for this kind of salt. Our guide to why grey sea salt is moist and how to store it explains this in more detail.
Our Crunchy Peanut Butter is made from roasted peanuts, with no added sugar, no added salt and no palm oil. If you compare it with a mass-market spread, the difference shows up immediately in the ingredients list, and in the jar: the natural oil separates and rises to the top. See why natural peanut butter separates and how to store the jar.
Step 3: percentages of key ingredients
When an ingredient is mentioned in the name of a food or emphasised on the pack, its quantity normally has to be shown as a percentage. This is sometimes called QUID (quantitative ingredient declaration).
For example, the product information for our green blend with young barley lists “young barley grass (30%), parsley, dill, spinach, leek, chives, alfalfa, broccoli”. The percentage tells you exactly how much of the headline ingredient is in the bag, and the order tells you how the rest is made up.
Step 4: allergens and “may contain” notes
EU law lists 14 allergens that must be declared when used as ingredients: cereals containing gluten, crustaceans, eggs, fish, peanuts, soybeans, milk, nuts, celery, mustard, sesame seeds, sulphur dioxide and sulphites (above a set level), lupin and molluscs. On prepacked food, they are emphasised within the ingredients list, for example in bold, a different font or a background colour.
What “may contain” means
Statements such as “may contain traces of…” are a separate, precautionary note. They are given voluntarily by the producer and refer to the possibility of unintentional cross-contact during growing, processing or packing, not to an ingredient that was added on purpose. Our green blend, for instance, carries a note that it may contain traces of cereals containing gluten, celery, mustard, sesame seeds, peanuts and nuts.
If you or someone you cook for has a food allergy, read both the bold allergens and the “may contain” note every time, even on a product you have bought before, because recipes and packing lines can change.
Step 5: “best before” and “use by”
These two date marks look similar but mean different things:
- “Best before” is about quality. Until that date, the food keeps its expected taste and texture if stored as described. Dry pantry foods such as salt, dried herbs or powders usually carry a “best before” date.
- “Use by” is about safety and appears on highly perishable foods such as fresh meat or chilled ready meals. Do not eat these foods after the date.
The European Commission notes that confusing the two dates can contribute to household food waste. Salt itself does not spoil, for example, but its texture can change if it is stored badly, which is what the “best before” date and storage advice are there to protect.
Step 6: storage advice, quantity and the producer
Storage instructions such as “store in a cool, dry place” or “keep tightly closed after opening” are not small print to skip. For natural products without preservatives or anti-caking agents, how you store them has a big effect on how long they keep their colour, aroma and texture.
The label also shows the net quantity (in grams, kilograms or millilitres) and the name and address of the business responsible for the food. Some foods must also state their country of origin. Together, these details let you compare price per kilogram and know exactly who stands behind the product.
A quick checklist for choosing simple pantry foods
- Is the descriptive name clear about what the food is?
- How long is the ingredients list, and what is the first ingredient?
- Are any additives listed, and what is their function?
- If one ingredient is emphasised, what percentage is it?
- Which allergens are in bold, and is there a “may contain” note?
- Is it a “best before” or a “use by” date?
- Can you follow the storage advice in your kitchen?
You can browse our simple, short-label staples in the Grocery category.
Frequently asked questions
In what order are ingredients listed on a food label?
In the EU, ingredients are listed in descending order of weight at the time they were used to make the food. The first ingredient is the one used in the largest amount.
Why do some foods have no ingredients list?
A food that consists of a single ingredient, where the name already makes clear what it is, does not need a separate ingredients list. Unrefined sea salt without additives is a typical example.
What is the difference between “best before” and “use by”?
“Best before” relates to quality: the food keeps its expected taste and texture until that date if stored correctly. “Use by” relates to safety and is used for highly perishable foods, which should not be eaten after that date.
What does “may contain traces of” mean?
It is a voluntary precautionary note from the producer. It warns that an allergen could be present through unintentional cross-contact during production or packing, even though it is not an added ingredient.
Please note: this article is general information about reading food labels and is not legal, medical or dietary advice. The foods mentioned are foods, not medicines, and do not replace a varied and balanced diet. If you are pregnant, breastfeeding, taking medication or have a food allergy or a medical condition, consult a doctor before changing your diet. Always follow the label of the product you buy and keep food products out of reach of children.
Sources
- EUR-Lex, Regulation (EU) No 1169/2011 on the provision of food information to consumers (ingredients order, additives, single-ingredient foods, quantitative ingredient declaration, allergens, date marking)
- European Commission, Food information to consumers – legislation (dates of application, allergen emphasis, online selling)
- European Commission, Date marking and food waste prevention
- Product information for our Celtic Sea Salt, Crunchy Peanut Butter and green blend with young barley