If you are launching a supplement brand in the UK, you have probably spent weeks getting the formula right. The blend, the dosage, the sourcing.
But the packaging? That has its own set of regulations, and getting them wrong can mean pulled products, fines, or worse.
Supplement packaging regulations cover everything from what words you can put on the food label to what materials the packaging itself is made from.
This guide breaks down what you actually need to know, in plain English, so you can get your supplement packaging right before it reaches the shelf.
How food supplements are regulated in the UK
In the UK, food supplements are classified as food products, not medicines.
Your food supplement must comply with the general food labelling requirements that apply to all packaged food and drink, plus specific labelling requirements for supplements on top of those.
The practical effect of this classification is that supplements must follow the same food safety and labelling rules as any other food product.
You need to register as a Food Business Operator (FBO) with your local authority before your food business can sell anything.
No pre-market authorisation is required (unlike medicines), but you are legally responsible for making sure your products are safe, correctly labelled, and not misleadingly described.
The provision of food information to consumers is governed by the Food Information Regulations (FIC), which set out exactly what labelling information must appear on your packaging.
The Food Standards Agency oversees food supplement regulation across the UK, while the Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency (MHRA) deals with anything that crosses into medicinal territory.
If your product makes claims about treating or preventing disease, it is a medicine in the eyes of the law, regardless of what is inside the packaging.
Labelling requirements for prepacked food supplements
Every food supplement sold in the UK must be prepacked and labelled with specific information.
There is no flexibility on this. If any of the following is missing or incorrect, your food product is non-compliant.
What must appear on your food label or package
- The name of the food, which must describe the nature of the food and include “food supplement” (not “dietary supplement”, which is the US term)
- A full ingredients list with two or more ingredients in a food listed in descending order of weight, with allergenic ingredients emphasised within the list (usually in bold)
- The names and amounts of each vitamin or mineral or other substance with a nutritional or physiological effect per recommended daily dose
- Conditions for use, including information about the use of the product, the recommended daily dosage, and a warning not to exceed it
- A statement that the product should not be used as a substitute for a varied diet
- A warning that the product should be stored out of the reach of young children
- Storage instructions stating how the product should be stored where relevant
- A best before or use by date
- The business name and address for the FBO (the food business operator responsible for the product). If sold in GB must include a UK, Channel Islands or the Isle of Man address
- Net quantity
- Batch or lot number for traceability
All of this must be clearly legible, easy to understand, and printed in a conspicuous place on the packaging.
These labelling rules also apply to food packed and prepacked for direct sale, not just products distributed through retail.
If your label is too small to fit the required information, you need to rethink your format. Never cut corners on the labelling.
Allergenic ingredients and allergen declarations
The 14 major allergens recognised under UK food law must be declared on your food label if your product contains them. This is particularly important for people with food allergies who rely on accurate labelling information to avoid ingredients that could harm them.
The allergen must be emphasised in the ingredients list (typically by using bold text) so that consumers can identify it at a glance.
Common allergens in food supplements include milk, soya, gluten-containing cereals, fish oils, and nuts.
If your supplement is produced in a facility that also handles allergens, speak to your manufacturer about what needs to be included.
Food contact material regulations
Your supplement packaging is not just a container.
It is a food contact material, and it has its own set of regulations separate from what goes inside it.
It must not transfer substances that could make the food unsafe, change the composition of the food, or affect its taste or smell.
For plastic packaging, this means the materials must undergo migration testing to confirm that chemicals from the plastic do not leach into the supplement at unsafe levels. This applies to bottles, pouches, blister packs, sachets, and any inner liners or seals that touch the product.
If you are using sustainable packaging the same rules apply.
Recycled plastics, compostable films, and paper-based packaging all need to be food-safe and certified for direct food contact. Not every “eco-friendly” material on the market meets this standard, so always ask for documentation before committing to a supplier.
At Custom Pack Studio, we understand packaging. You can be confident that anything we produce is compliant with food contact material regulations from the start.
Plastic Packaging Tax
Since April 2022, any plastic packaging manufactured in or imported into the UK that contains less than 30% recycled plastic is subject to the Plastic Packaging Tax.
If your supplements come in plastic bottles, tubs, pouches, or sachets, this tax applies to you unless the packaging meets the 30% recycled content threshold.
The tax is paid by the manufacturer or importer of the packaging, but the cost is usually passed on through the supply chain.
The simplest way to avoid the tax is to use packaging with at least 30% recycled content.
Or even better, switch to non-plastic alternatives like paper-based cartons. We can advise on which options work for your product and help you avoid unnecessary tax liability.
Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR)
The UK’s EPR scheme makes businesses financially responsible for the end-of-life management of their packaging. If you place packaging on the UK market, you are likely covered by these regulations.
For supplement brands, this means that multi-material packaging (like laminated sachets or blister packs with mixed plastic and aluminium) will become more expensive to use.
Mono-material pouches, recyclable bottles, and paper-based packaging will attract lower EPR fees because they are easier to recycle through kerbside collection.
If you are choosing packaging for a new supplement, it is worth factoring in EPR costs alongside the unit price.
A slightly more expensive recyclable pouch could end up cheaper overall than a non-recyclable alternative once EPR fees are applied.
Custom Pack Studio is deeply committed to the environment, and is happy to help businesses choose environmentally friendly packaging that keeps EPR costs down.
Get compliant supplement packaging from the start with Custom Pack Studio
The world of supplement packaging is difficult to navigate with strict rules on how to label nutrition and health.
Meet the legal requirements and get it right the first time with Custom Pack Studio.
As eco-friendly packaging suppliers we can guide you through you the processes for food supplement packaging in the UK. And with no minimum order, we can scale up your packaging as you grow your brand.
If you are looking for guidance on the labelling of food supplements and packaging, our trusted team would be more than happy to chat with you. Simply, reach out now on 01294 314 919 for a free consultation.
