This guidance note applies to the price marking of food. IT DOES NOT apply to food and drink sold and consumed on the premises from which it is sold. A separate guidance note covers this. Separate guidance notes also apply to the price marking of cheese, meat and fruit and vegetables.

Food sold from shops, kiosks, market stalls, mobile shops etc., is covered by this guidance note.

SELLING PRICE

All food, which is offered or exposed for sale, must have its selling price indicated in writing.

HOW MUST THE PRICE INDICATIONS BE GIVEN?

The selling price has to be given in writing by reference to a single item or to a specified quantity of the goods.

In the case of goods sold from bulk the selling price, in writing, has to be by reference either to a unit of measurement or to a single item or to a specified quantity.

UNIT PRICE (PRICE PER KG, ETC)

In addition to the selling price all food offered or exposed for sale, from bulk or pre-packed in variable quantities must have a written notice displayed indicating the price per kg or per 100g. However, there are some exceptions listed below.

WHAT FOOD DOES NOT REQUIRE A UNIT PRICE?

(a) Food weighing less than 50g or more than 10kg.

(b) Food which forms part of meal ready for immediate consumption.

(c) Perishable food sold at a reduced price on account of the danger of its deterioration.

(d) Fancy products being food made in the form of a novelty.

(e) An assortment of different items sold in a single pack.

WHAT ABOUT FOOD SOLD FROM BULK?

Food sold from bulk can be unit price marked in imperial or metric units up to 1 January 2024 but if marked in metric units then you must also indicate unit price in imperial units. Alternatively, you could display a conversion chart (clearly, legible and in a conspicuous position) on at least one part of the premise in which the goods are displayed.

WHAT IF THERE ARE DIFFERENT PRICES PER UNIT QUANTITY WHICH DEPENDS ON THE AMOUNT OF GOODS TO BE SOLD?

Where the unit price may vary depending on the quantity of goods which is being sold then a clear indication is necessary to identify the range of quantities to which a particular unit price applies. Alternatively, it may be acceptable to have sufficient other information to enable the purchaser to calculate what the selling price of any quantity of the goods is.

WHAT ABOUT GOODS NOT ON DISPLAY?

On retail premises the written indication of the price of goods not on display, which are brought to the counter at the request of the customer, must be either marked on the goods or shown to the customer by means of a catalogue, price list, visual display unit or other electronic visual display.

WHAT ABOUT VAT?

Where sales from premises are mainly to private consumers, prices must be shown inclusive of VAT.

Where the customer has to pay for ancillary goods or services in order to obtain the goods (eg delivery of food to the dealers' premises) their price must be included in the price of the goods or shown with equal prominence to it.

ARE ADVERTISEMENTS FOR FOOD COVERED?