Polish packaged food can reach Polish shops in the UK if the label meets the British food information rules: mandatory particulars in English, allergens emphasised in the ingredients list and, since January 2024, the address of a UK-established business on the pack. Natasha's Law covers food packed at the place of sale, not factory-prepacked imports. Valid as of August 2026.
The label in English, allergens emphasised
The UK applies food information rules carried over from EU law (the equivalent of Regulation 1169/2011), so the list of duties looks familiar: product name, ingredients with allergens emphasised (bold within the list), net weight, date marking, storage conditions, business details and nutrition declaration. The key practical difference: the mandatory information must be in English. An over-sticker with the translation on the Polish label is acceptable as long as it is permanent, legible and covers nothing required.
The FBO address: since 2024 a UK business is needed
From 1 January 2024 prepacked food sold in England, Scotland and Wales must carry the address of a responsible business established in the UK; for a Polish producer this in practice means the address of the British importer. A Polish shop importing directly often takes that role itself and its address goes on the label. This is a labelling requirement, not a border one, but Trading Standards enforce it. More on labels, the FBO role and the not for EU marking in our article on food labels for UK exports.
Natasha's Law: who it really applies to
Natasha's Law has caused plenty of worry among exporters, mostly unnecessary. The rule covers food prepacked for direct sale, packed on the premises where it is sold, for example sandwiches packed in the shop. A factory-prepacked product from Poland follows the ordinary labelling rules described above, not PPDS. Natasha's Law becomes a topic only for a Polish shop or bakery packing its own products in the back room and selling them at the counter.
The road to the shop: BTOM and consolidation
On the border side packaged food falls under the BTOM model: the product's risk category decides on certificates and prenotification, as described in our article on BTOM and SPS controls. Polish shops usually order a few pallets of mixed assortment, so groupage is the natural mode: we consolidate deliveries from many producers and deliver to the shop or a wholesaler. For smaller shippers we also wrote a guide to a first UK export for a small business.
The most common mistake: an over-sticker that hides what matters
A translation on an over-sticker is allowed, but this is exactly where most problems start. The sticker gets placed over the date mark or the batch number, lifts in the damp of a chilled environment, or translates the product name while leaving the ingredients list in Polish. The rule is simple and easy to check before dispatch: once applied, every mandatory particular must be legible in English, and nothing still required from the original label may disappear underneath. The other classic is allergens set out in a separate box instead of emphasised inside the ingredients list; British Trading Standards treat that as an omission, not a design choice.
How we build a pallet for a Polish shop
- Mixed assortment on one pallet: heavy at the bottom, glass in the middle of the layer, nothing overhanging the pallet footprint.
- Temperature categories kept apart: ambient goods and chilled goods are two separate movements, not two layers of the same pallet.
- Dates watched closely: with short shelf life we agree with the shipper how many days must remain on delivery, because a shop will refuse stock with the life used up.
- An outer case label with the name, quantity and batch number speeds up goods-in at the shop and makes any later claim easier.
Sources
- GOV.UK: food labelling, giving food information to consumers
- Food Standards Agency: packaging and labelling
- FSA: PPDS rules (Natasha's Law)
We regularly deliver food to shops and wholesalers across England, with clearance under our customs service. Ask about deliveries through the contact form.
