Statutory Rules of Northern Ireland
1997 No. 432
FOOD
Processed Cereal-based Foods and Baby Foods for Infants and Young Children Regulations (Northern Ireland) 1997
Made
24th September 1997
Coming into operation
31st March 1999
The Department of Health and Social Services in exercise of the powers conferred on it by Articles 15(1)(a), (e) and (f), 16(1), 25(1)(a) and (3), 26(3) and 47(2) of the Food Safety (Northern Ireland) Order 1991(1) and of all other powers enabling it in that behalf and after consultation in accordance with Article 47(3) of the said Order with such organisations as appear to it to be representative of interests likely to be substantially affected by the Regulations, hereby makes the following Regulations:—
Citation, commencement and interpretation
1.—(1) These Regulations may be cited as the Processed Cereal-based Foods and Baby Foods for Infants and Young Children Regulations (Northern Ireland) 1997 and shall come into operation on 31st March 1999.
(2) In these Regulations—
“baby foods” means foods for particular nutritional use fulfilling the particular requirements of infants and young children in good health and intended for use by infants while they are being weaned, and by young children as a supplement to their diet or for their progressive adaptation to ordinary food other than processed cereal-based foods;
“the Order” means the Food Safety (Northern Ireland) Order 1991;
“processed cereal-based foods” means foods for particular nutritional use within the categories in Part I of Schedule 1 fulfilling the particular requirements of infants and young children in good health and intended for use by infants while they are being weaned, and by young children as a supplement to their diet or for their progressive adaptation to ordinary food; and
“sell” includes possess for sale, and offer, expose or advertise for sale.
(3) Other expressions used in these Regulations and in Commission Directive 96/5/EC(2) on processed cereal-based foods and baby foods for infants and young children have the same meaning as they have in that Directive.
Exemption
2. These Regulations shall not apply to any baby food which is a milk intended for young children.
Conditions for the sale of processed cereal-based foods and baby foods
3. No person shall sell any processed cereal-based food or baby food unless—
(a)it is labelled in accordance with regulation 4; and
(b)it complies with the requirements as to manufacture and composition set out in regulation 5.
Labelling
4.—(1) Processed cereal-based food and baby food shall be labelled with the following particulars—
(a)a statement as to the appropriate age (which shall be not less than four months) from which the food may be used, regard being had to its composition, texture or other particular properties;
(b)information as to the presence or absence of gluten if the age stated pursuant to sub-paragraph (a) is less than six months;
(c)the available energy value expressed in kJ and kcal, and the protein, carbohydrate and fat content, expressed in numerical form, per 100 g or 100 ml of the food as sold and, where appropriate, per specified quantity of the food as proposed for consumption;
(d)the average quantity, expressed in numerical form, per 100 g or 100 ml of the food as sold and, where appropriate, per specified quantity of the food as proposed for consumption, of each mineral substance and of each vitamin in respect of which a maximum or a minimum compositional requirement is specified in—
(i)Part II of Schedule 1 in the case of processed cereal-based foods; and
(ii)Schedule 2 in the case of baby foods; and
(e)if preparation of the food is necessary, appropriate instructions for preparation and a statement as to the importance of following those instructions.
(2) Subject to paragraph (1)(d), no person shall label processed cereal-based food or baby food with the average quantity of any nutrient specified in Schedule 4 unless—
(a)that average quantity is expressed in numerical form, per 100 g or 100 ml of the food as sold and, where appropriate, per specified quantity of the food as proposed for consumption; and
(b)in the case of a mineral substance or vitamin, it is a mineral substance or vitamin other than one referred to in paragraph (1)(d).
(3) Where, pursuant to paragraph (1)(d) or paragraph (2), processed cereal-based food or baby food is labelled with the average quantity, per 100 g or 100 ml of the food as sold, and where appropriate, per specified quantity of the food as proposed for consumption, of any vitamin or mineral which is specified in Schedule 5, the labelling of the food shall not express that average quantity as a percentage of the reference value specified in Schedule 5 in relation to that vitamin or mineral unless the quantity present is equal to 15% or more of the reference value.
Manufacture and composition of processed cereal-based foods and baby foods
5. No person shall manufacture any processed cereal-based food or baby food—
(a)from any ingredient other than one whose suitability for particular nutritional use by infants and young children has been established by generally accepted scientific data;
(b)which does not comply with the compositional requirements specified in Part II of Schedule 1, as read with Schedule 3 in the case of processed cereal-based foods and Schedule 2 in the case of baby foods;
(c)which contains any added nutritional substance other than a nutritional substance listed in Schedule 4; or
(d)which contains any substance in such quantity as to endanger the health of infants or young children.
Offences and penalties
6. If any person contravenes regulation 3, 4 or 5 he shall be guilty of an offence and liable on summary conviction to a fine not exceeding level 5 on the standard scale.
Enforcement
7. Each district council shall enforce and execute these Regulations within its district.
Defence in relation to exports
8.—(1) In any proceedings for an offence under these Regulations it shall be a defence for the person charged to prove—
(a)that the food in respect of which the offence is alleged to have been committed was intended for export to a country which has legislation analogous to these Regulations and it complies with that legislation; and
(b)that the legislation complies with the provisions of Commission Directive 96/5/EC on processed cereal-based foods and baby foods for infants and young children, in the case of export to an EEA State.
(2) In this regulation—
“EEA State” means a state which is a contracting party to the EEA Agreement; and
“EEA Agreement” means the Agreement on the European Economic Area(3) signed at Oporto on 2nd May 1992 as adjusted by the Protocol(4) signed at Brussels on 17th March 1993.
Application of various provisions of the Order
9. The following provisions of the Order shall apply for the purposes of these Regulations which application shall, in the case of Article 20, be as that Article applies for the purposes of Article 7, 13 or 14 of the Order and any reference in them to the Order shall be construed as a reference to these Regulations—
(a)Articles 2(4) and 3 (extended meaning of ‘sale' etc.);
(b)Article 4 (presumption that food intended for human consumption);
(c)Article 19 (offences due to fault of another person);
(d)Article 20 (defence of due diligence);
(e)Article 21 (defence of publication in the course of business);
(f)Article 30(8) (which relates to documentary evidence);
(g)Article 34 (obstruction, etc, of officers).
Sealed with the Official Seal of the Department of Health and Social Services on
L.S.
J. R. Kearney
Assistant Secretary
24th September 1997.
Regulation 1, 4(1)(d)(i) and 5(b)
SCHEDULE 1Processed Cereal-based Foods for Infants and Young Children
Part ICategories of Processed Cereal-Based Foods for Infants and Young Children
1. Simple cereals which are or have to be reconstituted with milk or other appropriate nutritious liquids.
2. Cereals with an added high protein food which are or have to be reconstituted with water or other protein-free liquid.
3. Pastas which are to be used after cooking in boiling water or other appropriate liquids.
4. Rusks and biscuits which are to be used either directly or after pulverisation with the addition of water, milk or other suitable liquids.
Part IIEssential Composition of Processed Cereal-Based Foods for Infants and Young Children
The requirements concerning nutrients refer to the products ready for use, marketed as such or reconstituted as instructed by the manufacturer.
Cereal content
1. Processed cereal-based foods are prepared primarily from one or more milled cereals and/or starchy root products.
The amount of cereal and/or starchy root shall not be less than 25% of the final mixture on a dry weight for weight basis.
Protein
2.—2.1. For products mentioned in paragraphs 2 and 4 of Part I the protein content shall not exceed 1.3 g/100 kJ (5.5 g/100 kcal).
2.2. For products mentioned in paragraph 2 of Part I the added protein shall not be less than 0.48 g/100 kJ (2 g/100 kcal).
2.3. For biscuits mentioned in paragraph 4 of Part I made with the addition of a high protein food, and presented as such, the added protein shall not be less than 0.36 g/100 kJ (1.5 g/100 kcal).
2.4. The chemical index of the added protein shall be equal to at least 80% of that of the reference protein (casein as defined in Schedule 3), or the protein efficiency ratio, (PER) of the protein in the mixture shall be equal to at least 70% of that of the reference protein. In all cases, the addition of amino acids is permitted solely for the purpose of improving the nutritional value of the protein mixture, and only in the proportions necessary for that purpose.
Carbohydrates
3.—3.1. If sucrose, fructose, glucose syrups or honey are added to products mentioned in paragraphs 1 and 4 of Part I:
the amount of added carbohydrates from these sources shall not exceed 1.8 g/100 kJ (7.5 g/100 kcal),
the amount of added fructose shall not exceed 0.9 g/100 kJ (3.75 g/100 kcal).
3.2. If sucrose, fructose, glucose syrups or honey are added to products mentioned in paragraph 2 of Part I:
the amount of added carbohydrates from these sources shall not exceed 1.2 g/100 kJ (5 g/100 kcal),
the amount of added fructose shall not exceed 0.6 g/100 kJ (2.5 g/100 kcal).
Fat
4.—4.1. For products mentioned in paragraphs 1 and 4 of Part I the fat content shall not exceed 0.8 g/100 kJ (3.3 g/100 kcal).
4.2. For products mentioned in paragraph 2 of Part I the fat content shall not exceed 1.1 g/100 kJ (4.5 g/100 kcal). If the fat content exceeds 0.8 g/100 kJ (3.3 g/100 kcal):
(a)the amount of lauric acid shall not exceed 15% of the total fat content;
(b)the amount of myristic acid shall not exceed 15% of the total fat content;
(c)the amount of linoleic acid (in the form of glycerides = linoleates) shall not be less than 70 mg/100 kJ (300 mg/100 kcal) and shall not exceed 285 mg/100 kJ (1200 mg/100 kcal).
Minerals
Sodium
5.—5.1. sodium salts may only be added to processed cereal-based foods for technological purposes
the sodium content of processed cereal-based foods shall not exceed 25 mg/100 kJ (100 mg/100 kcal).
Calcium
5.2 5.2.1. For products mentioned in paragraph 2 of Part I the amount of calcium shall not be less than 20 mg/100 kJ (80 mg/100 kcal).
5.2.2.For products mentioned in paragraph 4 of Part I manufactured with the addition of milk (milk biscuits) and presented as such, the amount of calcium shall not be less than 12 mg/100 kJ (50 mg/100 kcal).
Vitamins
6.—6.1 For processed cereal-based foods the amount of thiamin shall not be less than 25μg/100 kJ (100 μg/100 kcal).
6.2 For products mentioned in paragraph 2 of Part I:
Per 100 kJ
Per 100 kcal
Minimum
Maximum
Minimum
Maximum
1
RE = all trans retinol equivalents
2
In the form of cholecalciferol, of which 10 μg = 400 i.u. of vitamin D
These limits are also applicable if vitamins A and D are added to other processed cereal-based foods.
Vitamin A (μg RE)1
14
43
60
180
Vitamin D (μg)2
0.25
0.75
1
3
Regulation 4(1)(d)(ii) and 5(b)
SCHEDULE 2Essential Composition of Baby Foods for Infants and Young Children
The requirements concerning nutrients refer to the products ready for use, marketed as such or reconstituted as instructed by the manufacturer.
Protein
1.—1.1. If meat, poultry, fish, offal or other traditional source of protein are the only ingredients mentioned in the name of the product, then:
the named meat, poultry, fish, offal or other traditional protein source, in total, shall constitute not less than 40% by weight of the total product,
each named meat, poultry, fish, offal or other traditional source of protein shall constitute not less than 25%, by weight, of total named protein sources,
the total protein from the named sources shall not be less than 1.7 g/100 kJ (7 g/100 kcal).
1.2. If meat, poultry, fish, offal or other traditional source of protein, singularly or in combination, are mentioned first in the name of the product, whether or not the product is presented as a meal, then:
the named poultry, fish, offal or other traditional protein source, in total, shall constitute not less than 10% by weight of the total product,
each named meat, poultry, fish, offal or other traditional source of protein shall constitute not less than 25%, by weight, of total named protein sources,
the protein from the named sources shall not be less than 1 g/100 kJ (4 g/100 kcal).
1.3. If meat, poultry, fish, offal or other traditional source of protein, singularly or in combination are mentioned, but not first, in the name of the product, whether or not the product is presented as a meal, then:
the named meat, poultry, fish, offal or other traditional protein source, in total, shall constitute not less than 8% by weight of the total product,
each named meat, poultry, fish, offal or other traditional source of protein shall constitute not less than 25%, by weight, of total named protein sources,
the protein from the named sources shall not be less than 0.5 g/100 kJ (2.2 g/100 kcal).
the total protein in the product from all sources shall not be less than 0.7 g/100 kJ (3 g/100 kcal).
1.4. If the product is designated on the label as a meal, but does not mention meat, poultry, fish, offal or other traditional source of protein in the name of the product, the total protein in the product from all sources shall not be less than 0.7 g/100 kJ (3 g/100 kcal).
1.5 The addition of amino acids is permitted solely for the purpose of improving the nutritional value of the protein present, and only in the proportions necessary for that purpose.
Carbohydrates
2. The quantities of total carbohydrates present in fruit and vegetable juices and nectars, fruit-only dishes, and desserts or puddings shall not exceed:
10 g/100 ml for vegetable juices and drinks based on them,
15 g/100 ml for fruit juices and nectars and drinks based on them,
20 g/100 g for fruit-only dishes,
25 g/100 g for desserts and puddings,
5 g/100 g for other non-milk-based drinks.
Fat
3.—3.1. For products referred to in paragraph 1.1 of this Schedule if meat or cheese are the only ingredients or are mentioned first in the name of a product the total fat in the product from all sources shall not exceed 1.4 g/100 kJ (6 g.100 kcal).
3.2. For all other products the total fat in the product from all sources shall not exceed 1.1 g/100 kJ (4.5 g/100 kcal).
Sodium
4.—4.1. The final sodium content in the product shall be either not more than 48 mg/100 kJ (200 mg/100 kcal) or not more than 200 mg per 100 g. However, if cheese is the only ingredient mentioned in the name of the product, the final sodium content in the product shall not be more than 70 mg/100 kJ (300 mg/100 kcal).
4.2. Sodium salts may not be added to products based on fruit, nor to desserts, puddings except for technological purposes.
Vitamins
5. Vitamin C—
In a fruit juice, nectar, or vegetable juice the final content of vitamin C in the product shall be either not less than 6 mg/100 kJ (25 mg/100 kcal) or not less than 25 mg per 100 g.
Vitamin A—
In vegetable juices, the final content of vitamin A in the product shall be not less than 25 μg RE/100 kJ (100 μg RE/100 kcal) and, for the purposes of this paragraph, RE = all trans retinol equivalents.
Vitamin A shall not be added to other baby foods.
Vitamin D—
Vitamin D shall not be added to baby foods.
Regulation 5(b) and paragraph 2.4 of Schedule 1
SCHEDULE 3Amino Acid Composition of Casein
Amino Acid
(g per 100g of protein)
Arginine
3.7
Cystine
0.3
Histidine
2.9
Isoleucine
5.4
Leucine
9.5
Lysine
8.1
Methionine
2.8
Phenylalanine
5.2
Threonine
4.7
Tryptophan
1.6
Tyrosine
5.8
Valine
6.7
Regulation 4(2) and 5(c)
SCHEDULE 4Nutritional Substances
Vitamins
1. Vitamin A—
Retinol
Retinyl acetate
Retinyl palmitate
Betacarotene
Vitamin D—
Vitamin D2 (= ergocalciferol)
Vitamina D3 (= cholecalciferol)
Vitamin B1—
Thiamin hydrochloride
Thiamin mononitrate
Vitamin B2—
Riboflavin
Riboflavin-5'-phosphate, sodium
Niacin—
Nicotinamide
Nicotinic acid
Vitamin B6—
Pyridoxine hydrochloride
Pyridoxine-5-phosphate
Pyridoxine dipalmitate
Pantothenic acid—
D-pantothenate, calcium
D-pantothenate, sodium
Dexpanthenol
Folate—
Folic Acid
Vitamin B12—
Cyanocobalamin
Hydroxocobalamin
Biotin—
D-biotin
Vitamin C—
L-ascorbic acid
Sodium L-ascorbate
Calcium L-ascorbate
6-palmityl-L-ascorbic acid (ascorbyl palmitate)
Potassium ascorbate
Vitamin K—
Phylloquinone (phytomenadione)
Vitamin E—
D-alpha tocopherol
DL-alpha tocopherol
D-alpha tocopherol acetate
DL-alpha tocopherol acetate
Amino acids
L-arginine
} and their hydrochlorides
L-cystine
L-histidine
L-isoleucine
L-leucine
L-lysine
L-cysteine
L-methionine
L-phenylalanine
L-threonine
L-tryptophan
L-tyrosine
L-valine
Others
3. Choline—
Choline chloride
Choline citrate
Choline bitartrate
Inositol
L-carnitine
L-carnitine hydrochloride
Salts of minerals and trace elements
4. Calcium—
Calcium carbonate
Calcium chloride
Calcium salts of citric acid
Calcium gluconate
Calcium glycerophosphate
Calcium lactate
Calcium oxide
Calcium hydroxide
Calcium salts of orthophosphoric acid
Magnesium—
Magnesium carbonate
Magnesium chloride
Magnesium salts of citric acid
Magnesium gluconate
Magnesium oxide
Magnesium hydroxide
Magnesium salts of orthophosphoric acid
Magnesium sulphate
Magnesium lactate
Magnesium glycerophosphate
Potassium—
Potassium chloride
Potassium salts of citric acid
Potassium gluconate
Potassium lactate
Potassium glycerophosphate
Iron—
Ferrous citrate
Ferric ammonium citrate
Ferrous gluconate
Ferrous lactate
Ferrous sulphate
Ferrous fumarate
Ferric diphosphate (ferric pyrophosphate)
Elemental iron (carbonyl + electrolytic + hydrogen-reduced)
Ferric saccharate
Sodium ferric diphosphate
Ferrous carbonate
Copper—
Copper-lysine complex
Cupric carbonate
Cupric citrate
Cupric gluconate
Cupric sulphate
Zinc—
Zinc acetate
Zinc citrate
Zinc lactate
Zinc sulphate
Zinc oxide
Zinc gluconate
Manganese—
Manganese carbonate
Manganese chloride
Manganese citrate
Manganese gluconate
Manganese sulphate
Manganese glycerophosphate
Iodine—
Sodium iodide
Potassium iodide
Potassium iodate
Sodium iodate
Regulation 4(3)
SCHEDULE 5Reference Values for Nutrition Labelling for Foods Intended for Infants and Young Children
Nutrient
Labelling reference value
Vitamin A
(μg) 400
Vitamin D
(μg) 10
Vitamin C
(mg) 25
Thiamin
(mg) 0.5
Riboflavin
(mg) 0.8
Niacin equivalents
(mg) 9
Vitamin B6
(mg) 0.7
Folate
(μg) 100
Vitamin B12
(μg) 0.7
Calcium
(mg) 400
Iron
(mg) 6
Zinc
(mg) 4
Iodine
(μg) 70
Selenium
(μg) 10
Copper
(mg) 0.4
Explanatory Note
(This note is not part of the Regulations.)
These Regulations implement Commission Directive 96/5/EC (O.J. No. L49, 28.2.96, p. 17) on processed cereal-based foods and baby foods for infants and young children.
The Regulations—
(a)exempt from their application any baby food which is a milk intended for young children (regulation 2);
(b)prohibit the sale of any cereal-based food or baby food unless it complies with the labelling requirements in regulation 4 and the manufacturing and compositional requirements in regulation 5 (regulation 3);
(c)prescribe labelling requirements (regulation 4 and Schedule 5);
(d)prescribe manufacturing and compositional requirements (regulation 5 and Schedules 1, 2, 3 and 4);
(e)create offences and prescribe penalties (regulation 6);
(f)specify the enforcement authority (regulation 7);
(g)provide a defence in relation to exports in accordance with Articles 2 and 3 of, as read with the ninth recital to, Council Directive 89/397/EEC (O.J. No. L186, 30.6.89, p. 23) on the official control of foodstuffs (regulation 8);
(h)apply various provisions of the Food Safety (Northern Ireland) Order 1991 including those relating to enforcement and defences (regulation 9).
(1)
S.I. 1991/762 (N.I. 7) as amended by S.I. 1996/1633 (N.I. 12). See Article 2(2) for the definitions of “the Department concerned” and “regulations”
(2)
O.J. No. L49, 28.2.96, p. 17
(3)
O.J. No. L1, 3.1.94, p. 1
(4)
O.J. No. L1, 3.1.94, p. 571
