Label rules › France
France and EU label requirements for packaging
Food sold in France needs a label in French that follows the EU Food Information Regulation 1169/2011 (INCO). Other consumer goods follow the Code de la consommation and the rules of their product family, and recyclable household packaging carries the Triman logo and sorting information under the AGEC law. Here is what goes on the pack, and how to lay it out.
Checked: 22 October 2026
Mandatory items
| On the label | Means |
|---|---|
| Dénomination de vente | The name of the food — what it is, not only the brand — on the main panel |
| Liste des ingrédients | Ingredients, heaviest first; the 14 allergens of Annex II emphasised |
| Quantité nette | Net quantity in g, kg, ml, cl or l |
| À consommer de préférence avant · À consommer jusqu’au | Date of minimum durability (DDM), or use-by date (DLC) for very perishable food |
| Conditions de conservation | Storage conditions, where special ones are needed |
| Nom et adresse de l’exploitant | Name and address of the food business operator, or of the importer for food from outside the EU |
| Pays d’origine | Country of origin or place of provenance where leaving it out would mislead — and for the foods the rules name, such as fresh meat |
| Lot | Lot number, preceded by “L” unless it is clearly distinct from the date |
| Déclaration nutritionnelle | Energy in kJ and kcal, fat, saturates, carbohydrate, sugars, protein, salt — per 100 g or 100 ml |
| Titre alcoométrique | Alcohol by volume, for drinks above 1.2% vol. |
| Triman · Info-tri | The Triman logo and the sorting instructions on recyclable household packaging |
Food: Regulation (EU) 1169/2011
Article 9 lists what every pre-packed food carries: the name of the food, the list of ingredients, the allergens, the net quantity, the date of minimum durability or the use-by date, special storage conditions, the name and address of the food business operator, the country of origin where leaving it out would mislead, instructions for use where needed, the alcohol content above 1.2% vol., and the nutrition declaration. A lot number is added under Directive 2011/91/EU.
The mandatory particulars appear in a place where they are easy to see, clearly legible and indelible (Article 13). The x-height of the letters is at least 1.2 mm, or 0.9 mm when the largest surface of the pack is under 80 cm². In France they are written in French (loi n° 94-665 of 4 August 1994, article 2); other languages may be added beside the French.
Allergens and ingredients
The ingredients are listed in descending order of weight under the heading “Ingrédients”. The 14 allergens of Annex II (cereals containing gluten, crustaceans, eggs, fish, peanuts, soybeans, milk, nuts, celery, mustard, sesame, sulphites, lupin, molluscs) are emphasised in the list by a typeface, style or background that sets them apart from the rest — bold is the usual way. Without an ingredients list, a “Contient” line names them.
Nutrition declaration
Pre-packed food carries a nutrition declaration (Articles 30 to 35): energy in kJ and kcal, fat, of which saturates, carbohydrate, of which sugars, protein and salt, in that order, per 100 g or 100 ml, and optionally per portion. The percentage of the reference intakes (8,400 kJ / 2,000 kcal for an adult) is voluntary. Salt is sodium × 2.5. Packs whose largest surface is under 25 cm², and foods such as unprocessed single-ingredient products, herbs, tea and coffee, are exempt (Annex V). The table is the rule; the linear form is allowed when there is not enough room.
The Nutri-Score front-of-pack logo is voluntary in France. A brand that uses it registers with Santé publique France, and the updated algorithm has applied since March 2025, with about two years to update packs already printed.
Recycling: Triman and Info-tri
Under the AGEC law of 10 February 2020 and décret 2021-835, recyclable household packaging and many products carry the Triman logo and sorting information (Info-tri), from 2022 with a period to use up stock. Very small packs have their own relaxations. Use the official files; Drint leaves an empty frame for them on the label.
Imported goods and other products
Imported food carries its French label before it goes on sale; a sticker with the French text is allowed if it is firmly stuck and does not cover the original. Other consumer goods need French wording that tells the buyer what the product is, who is responsible for it and how to use it safely (Code de la consommation, L. 111-1), plus the rules of their family: cosmetics (Regulation 1223/2009, Article 19), detergents (Regulation 648/2004), toys (CE marking and warnings).
Laying it out in Drint
- In the studio, click Insert → Product label and choose the market France / EU and the goods group (food or other goods).
- Paste the client’s French text and a second language if needed — Drint does not translate.
- Tick Triman and Nutri-Score to leave a frame for their official files beside the block.
- Insert → Nutrition table builds the déclaration nutritionnelle in the table or one-line format.
- Check in Export lists the items still missing and any text below the minimum size.
Questions
Must the label be in French?
Yes. In France every mandatory particular is written in French (loi Toubon, article 2); other languages may be added. A sticker in French over a foreign label is allowed for imports.
What is the difference between DDM and DLC?
“À consommer de préférence avant” is the date of minimum durability: after it the food is still safe, only past its best. “À consommer jusqu’au” is the use-by date for very perishable food, after which it must not be eaten.
Is the Nutri-Score compulsory?
No, it is voluntary in France. The nutrition declaration on the back is compulsory; the Nutri-Score is an optional front-of-pack addition for brands registered to use it.
Do allergens have to be in bold?
They have to be emphasised in the ingredients list so they stand out from the rest. Bold is the usual way; capitals, underlining or a colour also work.
A summary written to design packs, not legal advice. Check the original texts, the rules of the product family and the current Triman and Nutri-Score files with your importer or the authorities before printing.