Name of the food
The product name must accurately describe what you are selling. Honey legislation also protects specific reserved descriptions such as blossom honey, honeydew honey, comb honey and filtered honey.
UK HONEY LABELLING GUIDE
UK Honey Labelling Requirements: What Must Be on a Honey Label?
Selling jars of honey? Use this practical guide to understand the key information commonly required on a honey label, including the food name, country of origin, net quantity, best-before information, business details and lot identification.
✓ Mandatory label information
✓ Origin & honey descriptions
✓ Legibility & label planning
SUFFOLK
WILDFLOWER
HONEY 454g
HONEY 454g
Example only — your exact wording depends on your honey and how it is sold.
QUICK ANSWER
What information should be on a honey label?
For prepacked honey, your label will normally need to identify the food, who is responsible for it, where the honey was harvested, how much honey is in the pack and its durability. Traceability information such as a lot mark may also be required. Exact requirements depend on the product and how and where it is sold.
01Name of the food
Use an appropriate legal or reserved description for the honey.
02Country of origin
State where the honey was harvested, using the applicable rules for single-origin or blended honey.
03Net quantity
Show the quantity of honey in metric units, excluding the jar, lid and label.
04Best-before information
Provide the appropriate durability indication for the product.
05Business name & address
Identify the responsible food business operator as required.
06Lot / batch identification
Include traceability information where required; in some cases a sufficiently precise date can serve as the lot mark.
HONEY LABEL CHECKLIST
A practical honey jar label layout
A honey label does not have to look crowded. Good hierarchy lets the branding remain prominent while the required product information stays clear and readable.
YOUR APIARY
WILDFLOWER
HONEY
HONEY
Product of England
Best before end: see lid
Lot: L260915
Your Business Name
Town, County, Postcode
454g
Illustrative layout only — check the wording and requirements that apply to your product before printing.
Country or countries of origin
Honey has specific origin-labelling rules. For a single-origin honey, identify the country in which it was harvested. Different wording can apply to honey blended from more than one country.
Net quantity
Prepacked honey should show its net quantity in metric units. For a solid food such as honey, this is normally expressed as mass in grams or kilograms.
Durability / best-before
Prepacked food generally requires a date of minimum durability. Honey will normally use a best-before indication rather than a use-by date.
Food business operator
Include the required name and postal address of the responsible food business operator or importer, as applicable to your product and market.
Lot identification & storage
Use an appropriate lot or batch mark for traceability. Add any storage conditions needed to maintain the honey's quality through its stated durability.
NAME OF THE FOOD
Can I simply call it “Honey”?
“Honey” is a protected food description and the product must meet the applicable compositional standards. Honey rules also define a number of more specific reserved descriptions relating to its source, how it is obtained and how it is presented.
Examples include blossom honey, honeydew honey, comb honey, chunk honey, drained honey, extracted honey, pressed honey, filtered honey and baker's honey.
Do not choose a description just because it sounds good.
If you use a reserved honey description, the product must satisfy the criteria that apply to that description.
DESIGN TIP
Give the product name room to breathe
The legal name and your brand do not need to compete. A clear front label can make “Honey” or the relevant description immediately identifiable while keeping your branding distinctive.
How to design honey jar labels →COUNTRY OF ORIGIN
Honey origin must be shown on the label
Honey is one of the foods subject to specific country-of-origin requirements. Make sure the wording accurately reflects where the honey was harvested and whether it comes from one country or is a blend.
Honey harvested in one country
State the country of origin clearly. For example, if the honey was harvested in England, the label needs an accurate origin declaration appropriate to the applicable rules.
Honey from more than one country
Specific alternatives exist for blends. In England and Wales, current government guidance allows wording such as “blend of honeys from more than one country” instead of listing every country, where applicable.
Rules are not identical everywhere
There are differences between Great Britain, Northern Ireland and EU-market requirements. Check the rules for the market where the honey will be placed on sale.
NET WEIGHT & LEGIBILITY
Make the mandatory information easy to read
Mandatory food information must be clear, legible and not hidden or obscured. General food-labelling rules also set minimum character-size requirements, so avoid squeezing important information into an undersized label.
Show the net quantity in metric
For honey, use an appropriate mass declaration such as 227g, 340g, 454g or 500g, based on the actual net contents.
Do not include the weight of the jar, lid or label.
Do not make legal copy microscopic
General food information rules normally require mandatory text to meet a minimum x-height. Smaller packaging can qualify for a reduced minimum, but the information must still remain clear and legible.
Choosing a sensible label size makes compliance and good design much easier.
Not sure what will fit your jar?Compare practical stock sizes for common honey jar capacities.
Honey Label Size Guide
DATE & TRACEABILITY
Best-before dates, lot numbers and storage information
Date of minimum durability
Honey is normally marked with a best-before date. The exact date format and any associated wording should follow the current food-labelling rules that apply to the product.
Identify the production batch
A lot code helps trace a jar back to a particular batch. Depending on how the date is expressed, a sufficiently precise date can in some circumstances fulfil the lot-marking function.
Add conditions when needed
If particular storage conditions are necessary to maintain the stated durability or quality of the honey, include suitable storage instructions on the label.
INGREDIENTS & NUTRITION
Does pure honey need an ingredients list?
General UK food-labelling guidance requires an ingredients list where a food contains two or more ingredients. A product consisting solely of honey is therefore different from a flavoured or mixed product containing honey plus other ingredients.
One ingredient
A jar containing only honey does not generally need a conventional multi-ingredient list simply repeating “honey”. Other mandatory honey and food information still applies.
More than one ingredient
If you add ingredients, the product may need an ingredients list, allergen information and potentially different naming or compositional treatment. Check the rules for the finished food rather than assuming standard honey rules alone apply.
Nutrition information can depend on the product and exemption status.
Do not assume every honey business or every honey-based product is treated identically. Check current official food-information guidance for your circumstances.
COMMON MISTAKES
Honey label problems to avoid
Missing the country of origin
Honey has specific origin requirements, so do not treat origin as optional decorative copy.
Using an inaccurate honey description
Reserved descriptions have defined meanings. Make sure your product qualifies for the wording used.
Using the jar's gross weight
The net quantity is the amount of honey, not the combined weight of honey, glass, lid and label.
Making mandatory text too small
A beautiful label still needs to be readable and meet applicable minimum legibility requirements.
Forgetting traceability
Plan space for the best-before and lot/batch information before artwork is signed off.
Copying another producer's label
Their honey, business structure, origin, market and exemptions may be different from yours.
PLAN THE LABEL
Choose enough label space for branding and legal information
The easiest time to plan compliance is before the artwork is finished. Measure the usable straight-sided area of the jar, choose a practical label size and reserve space for variable information such as lot and best-before details.
1
Measure the jar
Measure the usable width and height rather than relying on jar capacity alone.
2
Choose the label size
Pick a stock size that gives the design breathing room and keeps important text readable.
3
Build the artwork
Position branding, product information, weight, origin and traceability details logically.
4
Check before printing
Verify the final wording and current requirements before committing to a production run.
READY TO PRINT?
Honey labels for small batches through to production runs
Once your artwork and wording are ready, choose blank A4 sheets to print yourself, have us print your labels, or move to professionally printed rolls for larger quantities and specialist materials.
MORE HONEY LABEL HELP
Continue building your honey labels
Use the rest of our honey label guides to choose the right size and material, prepare artwork and decide how you want the labels supplied.
Honey Labels
Explore the main honey label hub and compare blank, printed and roll-label options.
Explore honey labels →Honey Jar Label Size Guide
Compare practical label sizes for 227g, 340g, 454g and 500g honey jars.
Choose a size →Best Materials for Honey Labels
Compare paper, waterproof, transparent, kraft and other label materials.
Compare materials →Print Your Own Honey Labels
Learn how to choose and print blank honey jar labels using an inkjet or laser printer.
Print your own →How to Design Honey Jar Labels
Plan a clean, practical label layout around your chosen jar and label size.
Design your label →Custom Honey Labels on Rolls
Professional roll labels for larger runs, custom sizes, premium materials and finishes.
Explore roll labels →HONEY LABELLING FAQS
UK honey label questions
What information must be on a honey label in the UK?
For prepacked honey, key information normally includes the name of the food, country of origin, net quantity, durability information and the responsible food business operator's name and address. Lot identification and storage information may also be required. Requirements vary according to the product and market.
Do I need to put the country of origin on honey?
Yes. Honey is subject to specific country-of-origin labelling requirements. The wording differs depending on whether the honey comes from one country or is blended from honey harvested in more than one country.
Does pure honey need an ingredients list?
General UK guidance requires an ingredients list where a food has two or more ingredients. A product consisting solely of honey does not generally need a conventional multi-ingredient list, although the other mandatory honey and food information still applies.
Does honey need a best-before date?
Prepacked honey will normally carry a date of minimum durability expressed as a best-before indication. Check current food-labelling guidance for the appropriate format for your product.
Does honey need a lot number?
Food traceability rules normally require lot identification. In some circumstances a date expressed with sufficient precision can fulfil the lot-marking requirement; otherwise a separate lot or batch code can be used.
Can I put “English Honey” on the label?
Origin claims must be truthful and not misleading. Only use wording that accurately reflects where the honey was harvested and complies with the origin rules applying to your product and market.
How small can the text be on a honey label?
General food-information rules set minimum x-height requirements for mandatory information, with a reduced minimum available for certain small packs. The information must remain clear and legible, so allow enough physical label space when designing the artwork.
Can Go2Products check whether my honey label is legally compliant?
We can help with label sizes, materials, print and artwork production requirements, but this guide is not legal advice and we do not replace Trading Standards or a food-law specialist. The seller or food business remains responsible for checking the final label wording and legal compliance.
Important:
This page is a practical general guide, not legal advice. Food and honey labelling rules can change and can differ between England, Wales, Scotland, Northern Ireland and export markets. Always check current official guidance and, where necessary, your local Trading Standards service before printing your final labels.