Coffee Labelling Requirements UK: What You Must Include (2026 Guide)

If you’re selling coffee in the UK, whether you’re a small-batch roaster, café, or scaling retail brand, your labels must meet specific legal requirements.

Getting this right isn’t just about compliance. Clear, well-structured coffee labels build trust with customers and ensure your product can be sold confidently online and in-store.

In this guide, we’ll break down exactly what needs to go on a coffee label in the UK, plus practical tips to help you stay compliant while keeping your packaging on-brand.

What Information Must Be on a Coffee Label in the UK?

Coffee falls under general food labelling regulations in the UK. While it’s a relatively simple product, there are still key details you must include.

1. Product Name

You must clearly state what the product is, for example:

Coffee beans
Ground coffee
Whole bean coffee

Avoid vague branding without a clear product descriptor. Customers need to know exactly what they’re buying.

2. Net Weight

The weight of the coffee must be displayed in metric units, such as:

250g
500g
1kg

This should be easy to read and placed clearly on the packaging.

3. Best Before Date

Coffee normally requires a best before date, rather than a use by date.

This indicates product quality rather than safety.

Common placements include:

Front label
Back label
Near the seal or base of the bag

4. Name and Address of the Business

You must include the name and address of the business responsible for the product.

This is usually the roastery, café, food business, or brand selling the coffee.

5. Country of Origin

If your coffee’s origin is a key selling point, it should be shown clearly.

Examples include:

Single origin coffee, such as Colombia, Brazil or Ethiopia
Coffee blends made using beans from multiple regions

6. Allergen Information

Coffee itself is not one of the UK’s 14 regulated allergens.

However, if flavourings, additives or other ingredients are used, allergens must be declared where relevant.

7. Storage Instructions

Storage instructions are strongly recommended for coffee packaging.

Examples include:

Store in a cool, dry place
Keep airtight after opening
Keep away from direct sunlight

Do Coffee Labels Need Nutritional Information?

In most cases, pure coffee does not require a nutritional declaration.

This usually applies when the product is:

Whole bean coffee
Ground coffee
Pure roasted coffee with no added ingredients

If you sell flavoured coffee, ready-to-drink coffee, coffee mixes, or products with added ingredients, nutritional labelling may be required.

Where Should This Information Go?

Most coffee packaging uses a two-label system:

Front label: branding, product name, roast style and weight
Back label: legal information, origin, storage instructions and date information

This keeps your packaging clean while still giving customers the information they need.

For suitable label options, visit our Coffee Labels page.

Choosing the Right Label Type for Coffee Packaging

Your coffee label must stay readable and intact throughout the product’s life cycle.

This is especially important because coffee packaging can be affected by:

Natural oils from beans
Handling during transport
Storage conditions
Matt, kraft, foil or plastic coffee bags

Recommended options include durable adhesive labels, protective finishes and materials suited to food packaging.

You can also explore our Custom Roll Labels and Food Labels pages.

Common Coffee Labelling Mistakes to Avoid

Even experienced sellers can miss small details.

Missing business address
Illegible font sizes
Weight not clearly visible
Overly decorative labels hiding key information
Forgetting best before dates
Using labels that smudge, lift or become hard to read

Coffee Labels for Startups vs Growing Brands

If you’re just starting out, your labelling needs may be very different from an established coffee brand.

Sheet Labels

Sheet labels are often ideal for startups, small batches and brands testing new products.

Lower order quantities
Great for short runs
Useful for printing in-house
Fast turnaround

Roll Labels

Roll labels are better suited to growing coffee brands that need a more premium, consistent finish.

Ideal for larger volumes
Professional printed finish
Suitable for automated or semi-automated application
Premium options such as matt, gloss and special finishes

See our Coffee Labels page for help choosing between sheets and rolls.

Final Thoughts

Coffee labelling in the UK is relatively straightforward, but getting the details right is essential.

A compliant coffee label should clearly identify the product, include the required legal information, and stay readable throughout the product’s life cycle.

Done well, your label becomes more than a requirement. It becomes part of your brand.