Descriptions by food type
Fish & Seafood
Scampi
Whole tail scampi can be described as ‘scampi’. Scampi that is not whole tail must be described as ‘reformed scampi’
Crab sticks
Sticks made of crab can be described in this way. If the sticks do not contain crab or contain very little crab they must be described as fish sticks.
Meat & Poultry
Ham sandwich
Can be used to describe a sandwich which has been filled with slices of ham. If the sandwich has been filled with cured pork shoulder it can be called ‘pork sandwich’ but not ‘ham sandwich’. If the meat used is reformed this must be stated.
Roast beef
Can be used to describe whole beef which has been roasted for the complete cooking process. Cooked or reformed beef cannot be described as ‘roast beef’.
Steak
Can be used to describe a dish using an unprocessed beef steak therefore cannot be used when meat is reformed, chopped, shaped or with added water and gelatine. The menu must differentiate between processed and natural food.
Gammon
The same applies as for beef steak, see above.
Weight
When using a weight in a description it should be an approximate weight before cooking, stated in either imperial or metric e.g. sirloin steak approx. 8oz.
Dairy
Cheese
Can be used to describe dairy products only. Food made from a blend of dairy and vegetable products cannot be described as ‘cheese’. Instead it must be described as ‘cheese flavour e.g. tomato and cheese flavour pizza.
Unpasteurised cheese
If serving cheese which has not been pasteurised, this must be stated on the menu.
‘Bread and butter’
This description can only be used when bread and butter is served and not when margarine or low-fat spread is used instead of butter.
Desserts & Ice Cream
Ice cream
Use to describe ice cream made solely with milk fat, if this is not the case, state ‘contains non milk fat’ or ‘contains vegetable fat’.
Ice cream type
Descriptions must relate to the type and manufacturer of the ice cream and not be misleading. If the ice cream contains additives this must be clearly stated.
Chocolate flakes
Can be used to describe flakes made of real chocolate.
