Key points
- Labelling requirements are destination-specific, not origin-specific.
- Batch identification on the label supports traceability and recall.
- Re-labelling at destination is expensive and sometimes not permitted.
Typical mandatory content
Feed designation, name and address of the responsible operator, batch or lot reference, net quantity, list of feed materials or additives as applicable, moisture or analytical declarations where required, storage and use instructions and shelf-life indication.
Getting it right before production
Confirm the destination's requirements and language rules before the supplier prints packaging. Label defects discovered at the border stop the consignment, and correction is a physical operation as well as a documentary one.
What to verify
- Label content and language checked against destination requirements
- Batch reference present and matching the documentation
- Label proof approved in writing before production
Risks to manage
- Consignment detained for label non-compliance
- Language requirements not met for the destination market
- Batch reference absent, breaking traceability at the package level
Common mistakes
- Approving packaging without checking destination rules
- Assuming one label satisfies several export markets
- Omitting the batch reference from the printed label
Frequently asked questions
Can labels be applied at destination?
Sometimes, under customs or operator control, but it adds cost and handling and is not permitted in every market. Getting it right at origin is preferable.
Who is responsible for label compliance?
The operator placing the feed on the market in the destination country, which is normally the importer, regardless of who printed the label.
Related reading
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