Home→Business Homepage→Labelling and Information Availability→Food Allergen Labelling for Prepacked for Direct Sale (PPDS) Foods

What Is PPDS Food?

Prepacked for Direct Sale (PPDS) food is food that’s packed on the same premises or site where it’s sold—before the customer makes their purchase.

This includes:
  • right_arrow_orange_icon Sandwiches wrapped and displayed for sale in a café
  • right_arrow_orange_icon Boxed salads and hot rotisserie chicken prepared and packed in-store
  • right_arrow_orange_icon Cakes given as samples, packed onsite
  • right_arrow_orange_icon Burgers or sausages prepacked by a butcher
  • right_arrow_orange_icon Fresh pizzas and cheese from in-store deli counters
  • right_arrow_orange_icon Foods packed for sale at the same company’s market stall

Stay Ahead with the Free Business Newsletter

Join our free monthly newsletter packed with expert tips, industry insights, practical guidance and the latest support for managing allergens in your business.

Sign up now and make allergy safety your business advantage.

What Counts as PPDS?

Food that’s freshly prepared after a customer places an order (like a made-to-order sandwich) is not considered PPDS.

PPDS food must be packed by the same food business and sold:
  • right_arrow_orange_icon On the same premises
  • right_arrow_orange_icon Within the same site or building (like a hospital or train station)
  • right_arrow_orange_icon From a temporary or mobile unit owned by the same business

PPDS vs Prepacked vs Non-Prepacked: Know the Difference

PPDS food:

  • Packed before sale on the same premises or site

  • Cannot be altered without opening the packaging

Prepacked food:

Packed by one business and sold by another (e.g. a pork pie made by one company, sold at a farmer’s market)

Non-prepacked food:

Served loose or packaged after ordering (e.g. hot dog on a tray, takeaway meal wrapped on request)

Legal Requirements for PPDS Food

Allergenic ingredients (from the 14 recognised allergens) must be easy to spot—using bold, capitals, underlining, or colour contrast.

This labelling ensures allergic customers are protected and aware of any risks before they buy.

Since 1 October 2021, all PPDS food must have:
  • right_arrow_orange_icon Name of the food
  • right_arrow_orange_icon Full ingredients list with allergens clearly emphasised

Selling PPDS Food Online or by Phone? Here's What You Must Do

You don’t need to include the full ingredient list when selling online or by phone—but allergen information must still be available as per Article 14 of the Food Information to Consumers (FIC) Regulation.

If you sell PPDS food by distance (phone, internet, mail order), you must:
  • right_arrow_orange_icon Provide allergen information before the sale
  • right_arrow_orange_icon Provide allergen information again at the time of delivery
  • right_arrow_orange_icon Ensure the information is free, clear, and accurate

Are You Selling PPDS Food?

If your business packs food before it’s sold to a customer—on the same premises, in anticipation of an order—then you’re selling PPDS food.

Failing to do this risks not only customer safety but legal consequences.

You must:
  • right_arrow_orange_icon Label it with the correct food name
  • right_arrow_orange_icon Include a complete ingredients list with clear allergen highlighting