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The Breakfast Foods (Amendment) Regulations (Northern Ireland) 2026

S.R. 2026/5 · Made 14 January 2026 · Extends to Northern Ireland

Up to date with all changes known to legislation.gov.uk, revised to 14 June 2026.

Food

Made 14th January 2026

Coming into operation 14th June 2026

The Department of Healthf1 makes the following Regulations in exercise of the powers conferred by Articles 15(1)(a) and (e), 25(1) and (3), 26(3), 32(1) and 47(2) of the Food Safety (Northern Ireland) Order 1991f2 and Sections 11 and 22 and paragraph 11M(1) of Part 1C of Schedule 2, and paragraph 21(b) of Schedule 7 to the European Union Withdrawal Act 2018f3.

In accordance with Article 47(3A) of the Food Safety (Northern Ireland) Order 1991, the Department of Health has had regard to relevant advice given by the Food Standards Agency.

As required by Article 9 of Regulation (EC) No 178/2002 of the European Parliament and of the Council laying down the general principles and requirements of food law, establishing the European Food Safety Authority and laying down procedures in matters of food safetyf4 there has been open and transparent public consultation during the preparation and evaluation of these Regulations.

Annotations to the whole text

Footnotes

f1

Formerly the Department of Health, Social Services and Public Safety; see 2016 c.5 (N.I.), section 1

f2

S.I. 1991 No. 762 (N.I.7) as amended by S.I. 1996/1663 (N.I.12)

f3

2018 c.16

f4

OJ No. L 31, 1.2.2002, p. 1

Contents

  1. 1Citation, commencement and interpretation
  2. 2Citation, commencement and interpretation
  3. 3Amendment to the Honey Regulations (Northern Ireland) 2015
  4. 4Amendment to the Jam and Similar Products Regulations (Northern Ireland) 2018
  5. 5Amendment to the Fruit Juices and Fruit Nectars Regulations (Northern Ireland) 2013
  6. 6Amendment to the Condensed Milk and Dried Milk Regulations (Northern Ireland) 2018
  7. 7Transitional Provisions
  8. Signature
  9. Schedule Schedule
  10. Explanatory note

1Citation, commencement and interpretationI1

These Regulations may be cited as the Breakfast Foods (Amendment) Regulations (Northern Ireland) 2026 and come into operation on 14th June 2026.

2Citation, commencement and interpretationI1I2

The Interpretation Act (Northern Ireland) 1954f1 shall apply to these Regulations as it applies to an Act of the Assembly.

3Amendment to the Honey Regulations (Northern Ireland) 2015I1

(1)

The Honey Regulations (Northern Ireland) 2015f1 are amended as follows.

(2)

In regulation 2(2) (Definition of “honey” and different types of honey)—

(a)

for the definition of “baker’s honey” substitute—

  • ““baker’s honey” means honey which is suitable for industrial uses or as an ingredient in other foodstuffs which is then processed and may—

    1. (a)

      have a foreign taste or odour;

    2. (b)

      have begun to ferment or have fermented;

    3. (c)

      have been overheated; or

    4. (d)

      have been obtained by removing foreign inorganic or organic matter in such a way as to result in the significant removal of pollen.”;

(b)

omit the definition of “filtered honey”.

(3)

In regulation 3 (General interpretation)—

(a)

in paragraph (1)—

(i)

in the definition of “FIC” omit “as last amended by Regulation (EU) 2015/2283 of the European Parliament and of the Council”;

(ii)

in the definition of “the Honey Directive” omit “as last amended by Directive 2014/63/EU of the European Parliament and of the Council”;

(iii)

for the definition of “packs” substitute—

  • ““packaging” has the same meaning as in Article 3 of the Honey Directive;”; and

(iv)

for the definition of “trade documents” substitute —

  • ““sales documentation” has the same meaning as in Article 3 of the Honey Directive;”,

(b)

after paragraph (2) insert—

“(3)

The Interpretation Act (Northern Ireland) 1954 shall apply to these Regulations as it applies to an Act of the Assembly.”.

(4)

In regulation 6 (Honey) omit sub-paragraph (2)(e).

(5)

Omit regulation 14 (Filtered honey).

(6)

In regulation 15 (Baker’s honey)—

(a)

in every place where “packs” appears substitute “packaging”; and

(b)

in paragraph (5)(b) for “trade documents” substitute “sales documentation”.

(7)

In regulation 16 (Compositional requirements) omit paragraph (5)(h).

(8)

In regulation 17 (Additional labelling requirements)—

(a)

for regulation 17(1) substitute—

“(1)

Subject to paragraphs (1A) and (1B) a person must not trade in honey unless the country of origin where the honey has been harvested is indicated on the label.

(1A)

Subject to paragraph (1B) where the honey originates in more than one country, the countries of origin where the honey has been harvested must be indicated on the label—

(a)

in the principal field of vision; and

(b)

subject to paragraph (1C), in descending order of their share in weight together with the percentage that each of those countries of origin represents.

(1B)

For packages containing net quantities of honey of less than 30 grams, the names of the countries of origin may be replaced by a two-letter code, in accordance with the latest version of the international ISO 3166-1 two-letter code (alfa-2) in force.

(1C)

A tolerance of 5% shall be allowed for each individual share within the blend, calculated on the basis of the operator’s traceability documentation.

(1D)

The particulars indicated in paragraphs (1), (1A), (1B) and (1C) are mandatory particulars in accordance with Article 9 of FIC.”;

(b)

in paragraph (2) omit “and filtered honey”; and

(c)

in paragraph (3)—

(i)

for “possesses” substitute “presents”,

(ii)

for “of the source” substitute “of the indicated origin”, and

(iii)

in paragraph (4) for “indicated origin” substitute “indicated source”.

(9)

In Schedule 1 (Compositional criteria) omit paragraph 11.

4Amendment to the Jam and Similar Products Regulations (Northern Ireland) 2018I1

(1)

The Jam and Similar Products Regulations (Northern Ireland) 2018f1 are amended as follows.

(2)

Omit—

(a)

regulation 7 (Total sugar content indication);

(b)

regulation 8 (Residual sulphur dioxide); and

(c)

paragraph 2 in Schedule 2 (Authorised treatments).

(3)

In Schedule 3 (Regulated products)—

(a)

in Part 1 (List of products), in the entry in the table for “Marmalade” substitute “Citrus Marmalade – the term “citrus” may be replaced by the name of the citrus fruit used”;

(b)

in Part 2 (Jam)—

(i)

in paragraph 3—

(aa)

in sub-paragraph (a) for “250” substitute “350”,

(bb)

in sub-paragraph (b) for “150” substitute “180”,

(cc)

in sub-paragraph (c) for “160” substitute “230”,

(dd)

in sub-paragraph (d) for “60” substitute “80”, and

(ee)

in sub-paragraph (e) for “350” substitute “450”;

(ii)

in paragraph 4—

(aa)

in sub-paragraph (b) after “juice,” insert “whether or not concentrated,”,

(bb)

in sub-paragraph (c) after “juice,” insert “whether or not concentrated,”,

(cc)

in sub-paragraph (d) after “juice,” insert “whether or not concentrated,”, and

(dd)

in sub-paragraph (e) after “juice” insert “, whether or not concentrated,”;

(c)

in Part 3 (Extra jam)—

(i)

in paragraph 4—

(aa)

in sub-paragraph (a) for “350” substitute “450”,

(bb)

in sub-paragraph (b) for “250” substitute “280”,

(cc)

in sub-paragraph (c) for “230” substitute “290”,

(dd)

in sub-paragraph (d) for “80” substitute “100”, and

(ee)

in sub-paragraph (e) for “450” substitute “500”;

(ii)

in paragraph 5—

(aa)

in sub-paragraph (b) after “juice,” insert “whether or not concentrated,”, and

(bb)

in sub-paragraph (c) after “juices,” insert “whether or not concentrated,”;

(d)

in paragraph 4 of Part 4 (Jelly)—

(i)

in sub-paragraph (b) after “juice,” insert “whether or not concentrated,”, and

(ii)

in sub-paragraph (c) after “juice,” insert “whether or not concentrated,”;

(e)

in paragraph 5(b) of Part 5 (Extra jelly) after “juice,” insert “whether or not concentrated,”;

(f)

in Part 6 (Marmalade) in every place that “marmalade” appears substitute “citrus marmalade”;

(g)

in Part 7 (Jelly marmalade) in paragraph 1 after “the requirements for” insert “citrus”.

5Amendment to the Fruit Juices and Fruit Nectars Regulations (Northern Ireland) 2013I1

(1)

The Fruit Juices and Fruit Nectars Regulations (Northern Ireland) 2013f1 are amended as follows.

(2)

In regulation 2(2) (Definitions of “fruit juice” and similar products)—

(a)

in paragraph (c) after “Schedule 5;” omit “and”;

(b)

in paragraph (d) for “.” substitute “;”; and

(c)

after paragraph (d) insert—

“(e)

“reduced-sugar fruit juice” means a product that complies with the specification in Schedule 7A;

(f)

“reduced-sugar fruit juice from concentrate” means a product that complies with the specification in Schedule 7B; and

(g)

“concentrated reduced-sugar fruit juice” means a product that complies with the specification in Schedule 7C.”.

(3)

In regulation 3(1) (General interpretation) in the definition for “regulated product” insert after (g)—

“(h)

a reduced-sugar fruit juice;

(i)

a reduced-sugar fruit juice from concentrate;

(j)

a concentrated reduced-sugar fruit juice.”.

(4)

In regulation 4(1) (Use of the name fruit juice) after “paragraph (2)” insert “and a person may include the statement “fruit juices contain only naturally occurring sugars” on the label in the same field of vision as the name of the product”.

(5)

In regulation 5(1) (Use of the name fruit juice from concentrate) after “regulation 10” insert “and a person may include the statement “fruit juices contain only naturally occurring sugars on the label in the same field of vision as the name of the product”.

(6)

After regulation 9 (Use of the name fruit nectar) insert—

“Use of the name reduced-sugar fruit juice

9A.
(1)

A person trading in a reduced-sugar fruit juice must use the name “reduced-sugar [x] juice” as the name of the product with the relevant name of the fruit from which the juice comes substituting “[x]” in accordance with regulation 10.

(2)

A person must not use the name “reduced-sugar fruit juice” or “reduced-sugar juice” together with the name of a fruit, in trade, as the name of a product if the product is not a reduced-sugar fruit juice.

Use of the name reduced-sugar fruit juice from concentrate

9B.
(1)

A person trading in a reduced-sugar fruit juice from concentrate must use the name “reduced-sugar [x] juice from concentrate” as the name of the product with the relevant name of the fruit from which the juice comes substituting “[x]” in accordance with regulation 10.

(2)

A person must not use the name “reduced-sugar fruit juice from concentrate” or “reduced-sugar juice from concentrate” together with the name of a fruit, in trade, as the name of a product if the product is not a reduced-sugar fruit juice from concentrate.

Use of the name concentrated reduced-sugar fruit juice

9C.
(1)

A person trading in a concentrated reduced-sugar fruit juice must use the name “concentrated reduced-sugar [x] juice” as the name of the product with the relevant name of the fruit from which the juice comes substituting “[x]” in accordance with regulation 10.

(2)

A person must not use the name “concentrated reduced-sugar fruit juice” or “concentrated reduced-sugar juice” together with the name of a fruit, in trade, as the name of a product if the product is not a concentrated reduced-sugar fruit juice.”.

(7)

In paragraph (1) of regulation 12 (Labelling of a fruit juice partially made from concentrate)—

(a)

after “not trade in a fruit juice” insert “or reduced sugar fruit juice”;

(b)

for “and fruit juice from concentrate” substitute “either reduced sugar fruit juice from concentrate or fruit juice from concentrate (or both)”.

(8)

In paragraph (2) of regulation 17 (Improvement notice – application of Article 9 of the Order) amend paragraph (1A) by inserting the following after (g)—

“(ga)

regulation 9A(1), as read with regulation 9A(2);

(gb)

regulation 9B(1), as read with regulation 9B(2);

(gc)

regulation 9C(1), as read with regulation 9C(2);”.

(9)

In Schedule 1 (Ambulatory references)—

(a)

in sub-paragraph (a) for “Council Directive 98/83/EC” substitute “Directive (EU) 2020/2184 of the European Parliament and of the Council”;

(b)

in paragraph (h) for “.” substitute “;”;

(c)

after (h) insert—

“(i)

Regulation 1169/2011(EC).”.

(10)

In paragraph 1 of Schedule 3 (Specification for fruit juices from concentrate) for “Council Directive 98/83/EC” substitute “Directive (EU) 2020/2184”.

(11)

In Schedule 7 (Specification for fruit nectar)—

(a)

in Part 1 (General specification for fruit nectar) for paragraph 4 substitute—

“4.

The amount of sugars or honey, or sugars and honey, added to the product in accordance with paragraph 1 must not exceed—

(a)

20% of the total weight of the finished product made from a fruit listed in paragraph 1 of Part 2;

(b)

15% of the total weight of the finished product made from a fruit listed in paragraph 2 of Part 2; or

(c)

10% of the total weight of the finished product made from a fruit listed in paragraph 3 of Part 2.”.

(b)

in paragraph 1 of Part 2 (Minimum juice and puree content of fruit nectars) for “Quinces” substitute “Quinces (Cydonia oblonga L.)”.

(12)

After Schedule 7 (Specification for fruit nectar) insert Schedules 7A, 7B and 7C that are set out in the Schedule to these Regulations.

(13)

In paragraph 2 of Schedule 8 (Authorised additional ingredients) after “2008” insert “except for sweeteners unless being used in a fruit nectar”.

(14)

In paragraph 10 of Schedule 9 (Authorised additional substances)—

(a)

in sub-paragraph (c), omit “or”;

(b)

after sub-paragraph (c) insert “(ca) sunflower seeds, or”.

(15)

In Schedule 11 (Alternative designations for fruit juice)—

(a)

in column 3 of entry 1, after “fruit juice” insert “with no added sugar”;

(b)

after entry 2, insert—

“

2A“æblemost fra koncentrat”Synonym of apple juice from concentrate

”

(c)

in column 3 of entry 3, after “juices” insert “with no added sugar”; and

(d)

after entry 7 insert—

“

8.“coconut water” in any official language of the EUSynonym of coconut juice: the product which is directly extracted from the coconut without expressing the coconut meat.

”

(16)

In Schedule 13 (Minimum Brix levels for a fruit juice from concentrate) in the table after the row containing information about the fruit “Blackcurrant” insert a new row—

“

Coconut (*)Cocos nucifera L.4.5

”

6Amendment to the Condensed Milk and Dried Milk Regulations (Northern Ireland) 2018I1

(1)

The Condensed Milk and Dried Milk Regulations (Northern Ireland) 2018f1 are amended as follows.

(2)

In paragraph (4) of regulation 2 (Interpretation)—

(a)

in sub-paragraph (d), for “.” substitute “;” and

(b)

after sub-paragraph (d) insert—

“(e)

Regulation (EU) No1169/2011 of the European Parliament and of the Council on the provision of food information to consumers.”.

(3)

In Regulation 4 (Labelling and description) after “labelled” insert “in accordance with Regulation (EU) No1169/2011 and complies”.

(4)

In the Notes to Schedule 1 (Partly or totally dehydrated preserved milk products and their reserved descriptions)—

(a)

in paragraph 1—

(i)

in sub-paragraph (a), after “food additives;” omit “and”,

(ii)

in sub-paragraph (b) for “.” substitute “; and”, and

(iii)

after (b) insert—

“(c)

food enzymes in accordance with Regulation No 1332/2008 on food enzymes.”;

(b)

After paragraph 5 insert—

“6.

Without prejudice to the obligation regarding nutrition labelling laid down by Regulation (EU) No1169/2011, the lactose content may be reduced by conversion to glucose and galactose provided that this modification is indelibly indicated on the packing of the product so that it can be easily seen and read.”.

(5)

In Paragraph 1 of Schedule 2 (Permitted alternative descriptions to the reserved descriptions specified in Schedule 1) for “9% fat and 31%” substitute “7.5 % fat and 25%”.

7Transitional ProvisionsI1

(1)

Any products lawfully placed on the market or labelled before 14 June 2026 in accordance with the Regulations as in operation at the time may continue to be marketed until these stocks are exhausted.

(2)

In this regulation “the Regulations” means—

(a)

The Honey Regulations (Northern Ireland) 2015;

(b)

The Jam and Similar Products Regulations (Northern Ireland) 2018;

(c)

The Fruit Juices and Fruit Nectars Regulations (Northern Ireland) 2013; or

(d)

The Condensed Milk and Dried Milk Regulations (Northern Ireland) 2018.

Signature

Sealed with the official seal of the Department of Health on 14th January 2026.

L.S.

Kathryn Baker

A senior officer of the Department of Health

I1

“SCHEDULE 7A

Specification for reduced sugar fruit juice

Regulation 2(2)(e)

1.

Reduced-sugar fruit juice is the product obtained from fruit juice where the amount of naturally occurring sugars has been reduced by at least 30 % by using—

(a)

membrane filtration; or

(b)

yeast fermentation;

which maintains all the other essential physical, chemical, organoleptic and nutritional characteristics of an average type of juice of the fruit which it comes from.

2.

Reduced-sugar fruit juice may be obtained by mixing reduced-sugar fruit juice with—

(a)

fruit juice;

(b)

fruit purée; or

(c)

both fruit juice and fruit purée.

3.

As well as the ingredients mentioned in paragraphs 1 and 2, the product may contain any of the following—

(a)

an authorised additional ingredient;

(b)

an authorised substance;

(c)

water, to the extent strictly necessary to restore the water lost due to the sugar reduction process; and

(d)

restored flavour, pulp and cells (or any one or more of them) obtained by suitable physical means from the same species of fruit.

4.

No treatment, except for an authorised treatment, membrane filtration or yeast fermentation may be used in the manufacture of a product.

Schedule 7B

Specification for reduced-sugar fruit juice from concentrate

Regulation 2(2)(f)

1.

Reduced-sugar fruit juice from concentrate is either—

(a)

the product obtained from fruit juice from concentrate by the physical removal of at least 30% of its naturally occurring sugars by using—

(i)

membrane filtration; or

(ii)

yeast fermentation;

which maintains all the other essential physical, chemical, organoleptic and nutritional characteristics of an average type of juice of the fruit which it comes from, or

(b)

the product obtained by reconstituting concentrated reduced-sugar fruit juice with potable water that meets the criteria set out in Directive (EU) 2020/2184.

2.

Reduced-sugar fruit juice from concentrate may be obtained by mixing reduced-sugar fruit juice from concentrate with one or more of the following products—

(a)

fruit juice;

(b)

fruit juice from concentrate;

(c)

reduced-sugar fruit juice;

(d)

concentrated fruit purée; and

(e)

fruit purée.

3.

As well as the ingredients mentioned in paragraphs 1 and 2, the product may contain any of the following—

(a)

an authorised additional ingredient;

(b)

an authorised substance;

(c)

water, to the extent strictly necessary to restore the water lost due to the sugar reduction process; and

(d)

restored flavour, pulp and cells (or any one or more of them) obtained by suitable physical means from the same species of fruit.

4.

No treatment, except for an authorised treatment, may be used in the manufacture of a product.

Schedule 7C

Specification for concentrated reduced-sugar fruit juice

Regulation 2(2)(g)

1.

Concentrated reduced-sugar fruit juice is either—

(a)

the product obtained from concentrated fruit juice where the amount of naturally occurring sugars has been reduced by at least 30 % by using—

(i)

membrane filtration; or

(ii)

yeast fermentation;

which maintains all the other essential physical, chemical, organoleptic and nutritional characteristics of an average type of product; or

(b)

subject to paragraph 2, the product obtained from reduced-sugar fruit juice by the physical removal of a specific proportion of its water content.

2.

Where the product produced under paragraph 1(b) is intended for direct consumption, the water content removed must be at least 50 %.

3.

As well as the ingredients mentioned in paragraphs 1 and 2, the product may contain any of the following—

(a)

an authorised additional ingredient;

(b)

an authorised substance; and

(c)

restored flavour, pulp and cells (or any one or more of them) obtained by suitable physical means from the same species of fruit.

4.

No treatment, except for an authorised treatment, may be used in the manufacture of a product.”

Explanatory note

(This note is not part of the Regulations)

These Regulations implement Council Directive 2024/1438 (the Breakfast Directive) which itself amends Council Directives 2001/110/EC relating to honey (the Honey Directive), 2001/112/EC relating to fruit juices and certain similar products intended for human consumption (the Fruit Juice Directive), 2001/113/EC relating to fruit jams, jellies and marmalades and sweetened chestnut purée intended for human consumption (the Jams Directive), and 2001/114/EC relating to certain partly or wholly dehydrated preserved milk for human consumption (the Dehydrated Milk Directive).

The Regulations—

  • amend the Honey Regulations (Northern Ireland) 2015 to implement the amendments made by the Breakfast Directive to the Honey Directive (regulation 3) in particular to remove references to ‘filtered honey’ and amending labelling requirements;

  • amend the Jam and Similar Products Regulations (Northern Ireland) 2018 to implement the amendments made by the Breakfast Directive to the Jams Directive (regulation 4) in particular amending the compositional criteria of regulated products;

  • amend the Fruit Juices and Fruit Nectars Regulations (Northern Ireland) 2013 to implement the amendments made by the Breakfast Directive to the Fruit Juices Directive (regulation 5) in particular to regulate reduced sugar products, amend the compositional criteria of some regulated products and include coconut juice within regulated products; and

  • amend the Condensed Milk and Dried Milk Regulations (Northern Ireland) 2018 to implement the amendments made by the Breakfast Directive to the Dehydrated Milk Directive (regulation 6) in particular amending the compositional criteria of some regulated products.

A transposition note and an impact assessment of the effect that this Statutory Rule will have on the costs to business and the voluntary sector are attached to the Explanatory Memorandum which is available alongside the Statutory Rule on www.legislation.gov.uk.