Guide

How to name food on a PPDS label

The name of the food on a PPDS pack must tell customers what they are buying — not only a witty menu title. Prefer a clear customary name (“chicken and pesto sandwich”) and make sure it does not hide the true nature of the food. The ingredients list then does the detailed work.

Reviewed 22 September 2026 against official guidance.SourcesNot legal advice.

Clear over clever

“Julie Special” on a chalk board can stay as a nickname; the pack should still say what it is. If the product looks like a cheese sandwich but contains fish in the dressing, the name and list must not mislead.

Naming patterns that work

Main character + form: “Salted caramel brownie”
Filling + vehicle: “Chicken pesto on ciabatta”
Process when it matters: “Smoked salmon bagel” (not just “bagel” if salmon is the point)

Allergens in the name

If the name of the food clearly refers to an allergen (for example “sesame bagel”), emphasis rules interact with how that allergen appears in the ingredients list — follow FSA technical guidance and still list ingredients in full.

Tip

Write the name first, then paste ingredients into the generator so the pack reads as one coherent product.

Questions

Can I use only a brand name?

A brand name alone rarely describes the food. Add a customary descriptive name.

Do I need QUID in the name?

QUID has its own triggers. For many PPDS café items the priority is a truthful name plus full ingredients; check if meat or other QUID rules apply to your product.

Official sources

Everything on this page traces back to these. Where they and we disagree, they are right — tell us and we'll fix it.

Introduction to allergen labelling for PPDS foodFood Standards Agency / GOV.UK
Labelling guidance for prepacked for direct sale (PPDS) food productsFood Standards Agency / GOV.UK
Food allergen labelling and information requirements technical guidanceFood Standards Agency / GOV.UK