Directive 2000/13/EC of the European Parliament and of the Council on the approximation of the laws of the Member States relating to the labelling, presentation and advertising of foodstuffs.

This Directive concerns the labelling of foodstuffs to be delivered as such to the ultimate consumer as well as certain aspects of the presentation and advertising of food products. The labelling and methods used must not mislead purchasers in respect of the characteristics or properties of foodstuffs (art. 2). To this end, the particulars referred to in article 3 must be indicated in the labels (e.g. list of ingredients, the sales name, etc.). The ingredients must be listed in accordance with article 6 and Annexes I to III. Further requirements concern the quantity of pre-packaged foods (art. 8), the date of minimum durability (art. 9) and the use by date (art. 10). These provisions do not apply to products intended for export outside the European Community.