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Regulation Guide

🇪🇺 Ingredient List Order: Descending Order by Weight in EU

Yes — in the European Union, ingredients must be listed in descending order by weight as recorded at the time of their use in manufacture, with limited exceptions.

Check My Label for EU CompliancePaste Ingredients List
What the Rule Is

The ingredients list is one of the most important parts of a food label. In the European Union, ingredients must be listed in descending order of weight. Article 18(1) of Regulation (EU) No 1169/2011 (the FIC Regulation) requires the ingredients list to include all ingredients of the food "in descending order of weight, as recorded at the time of their use in the manufacture of the food". Annex VII sets out the exceptions, such as added water, volatile ingredients, and ingredient mixes used at less than 2%.

What You Must Include
  • All ingredients listed by their specific name
  • Descending order by weight at time of manufacture
  • Quantitative Ingredient Declarations (QUID) for characterizing ingredients
  • Proper designation of additives with functional class
Common Violations
  • Ingredients listed in wrong order by weight
  • Missing QUID for characterizing ingredients
  • Vague terms like "spices" without specifics
Examples: Compliant vs Non-Compliant

Compliant Examples

Ingredients: Tomatoes (45%), Water, Sugar, Vinegar, Salt

Non-Compliant Examples

Ingredients listed alphabetically
Just "spices" without specifying which ones
How LabelGuard Checks This

LabelGuard analyzes your ingredients list for proper ordering and required declarations.

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Frequently Asked Questions

Which regulation requires ingredients to be listed in descending order by weight in EU?

Article 18(1) of Regulation (EU) No 1169/2011 (the FIC Regulation) requires the ingredients list to include all ingredients of the food "in descending order of weight, as recorded at the time of their use in the manufacture of the food". Annex VII sets out the exceptions, such as added water, volatile ingredients, and ingredient mixes used at less than 2%.

Do all ingredients have to follow descending order by weight?

No. Common exceptions include added water and volatile ingredients (declared by final weight), ingredient mixes below small-percentage thresholds, and spice or herb blends, depending on the market. Everything else must follow descending order by weight as used in manufacture.

What is QUID and when is it required?

QUID is required when an ingredient is mentioned in the product name or emphasized on the label.

Regulation Sources

Last updated: 2026-07-20

Disclaimer: This information is for guidance only and does not constitute legal advice. Always consult official regulations and seek professional legal advice for specific compliance questions.

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