Northern Ireland supplement labelling
Food sold in Northern Ireland follows EU food law under the Windsor Framework, so a label that's right for Great Britain isn't always right for Northern Ireland. ProofMyLabel checks your packaging for Northern Ireland on its own, or for the whole UK on one label.
What's different in Northern Ireland
- Business address: food sold in Northern Ireland needs an NI or EU address for the food business, or for its NI or EU importer. A GB-only address doesn't meet this under the standard route.
- Health claims: they must be authorised on the EU register. Most match the GB register, but the two can differ for newer decisions.
- Ingredients: novel foods must be authorised on the EU Union list, and vitamin and mineral forms must be on the current EU list, which has gained forms since 2021 that GB hasn't added.
- Supplement rules: the Food Supplements Regulations (Northern Ireland) 2003, alongside the EU rules on additives and labelling.
Two routes for GB brands
The standard route: your label meets EU rules, including an NI or EU address, and can be sold in Northern Ireland and the EU.
The retail movement route: prepacked retail goods moved from GB through the Northern Ireland Retail Movement Scheme can meet GB standards instead, with the scheme's labelling where it requires it. Check with your distributor or retailer which route your products use.
How ProofMyLabel helps
- Choose Northern Ireland when you start a check, and Rocky checks against the rules that apply there, with a finding that explains both routes.
- Choose Whole UK for one label sold across GB and NI, and Rocky checks GB rules in full, then adds what changes for Northern Ireland.
- Rocky reads the current EU texts, including the latest consolidated food supplements directive, and checks them nightly for changes.
Questions
Can I use one label for GB and Northern Ireland?
Often, yes, if it meets the stricter of the two sets of rules, including an address that works for Northern Ireland. Run a "Whole UK" check to see what needs to change.
Does my GB register claim work in Northern Ireland?
Usually, as most claims are on both registers, but check any claim authorised or changed since 2021. Rocky flags claims that may only be authorised in one of the two.
Is this legal advice?
No. It's an automated pre-check from official sources. For your supply route, speak to your distributor, retailer or a food law specialist.
Check your packaging for Northern Ireland
Choose Northern Ireland or Whole UK when you start a check, and get your report in minutes.
ProofMyLabel is an automated pre-check, not regulatory sign-off or legal advice. The food business operator remains responsible for the packaging.