LMIV for Food Labeling Regulations

Author: Maren Fichtner | October 2, 2026

Definition: What is LMIV?

The LMIV (Food Information Regulation) is an EU regulation that governs the labeling of food products. It specifies what information – such as the list of ingredients, nutrition facts, allergen declarations, best-by dates, and origin information – must be provided on packaged and unpackaged food products, and has been directly applicable in all EU member states since December 13, 2014.

Publisher: European Union

Current edition: Regulation (EU) No. 1169/2011

Who is subject to the LMIV?

The regulation applies to all food business operators who manufacture, process, package, or market food in the EU – from manufacturers to wholesalers and retailers to the food service industry. It applies to both pre-packaged products and loose, unpackaged goods – such as those sold at service counters, in cafeterias, or in restaurants – although the labeling requirements vary in strictness.

Overview of core requirements

Ingredients list: a complete list of all ingredients, sorted in descending order by weight
Allergen labeling: visual highlighting of 14 defined major allergens in the ingredients list
Nutrition facts:mandatory disclosure of energy value and seven nutrients per 100 g/ml
Country-of-origin labeling: origin information for certain product categories, e.g., fresh meat
Best-by or use-by date: clearly legible date depending on the product category
Legibility: minimum font size for mandatory information on the packaging

Difference from HACCP

The LMIV regulates what information must be provided to consumers about a food product. It is a labeling regulation. HACCP, on the other hand, is a concept for the systematic monitoring of food safety within the production process itself, for example through temperature controls or hygiene measures. The two sets of regulations are interlinked: Correct allergen declaration in accordance with the LMIV requires that – as ensured by HACCP and appropriate allergen changeover procedures – no unintended cross-contamination actually occurs during the production process.

Consequences of noncompliance

Incorrect or missing allergen labeling is one of the most common causes of product recalls in the food industry and, in the worst-case scenario, can trigger life-threatening allergic reactions in consumers. Regulatory authorities can impose fines and issue sales bans for violations; in addition, certification audits such as IFS or BRCGS explicitly check for compliance with the Food Information Regulation (LMIV), meaning that violations can also jeopardize a product’s retail listing.

Frequently asked questions about LMIV

Is the LMIV required by law?

Yes, as EU Regulation (EU) No. 1169/2011, which is directly applicable and supplemented in Germany by the LMIDV.

Which allergens must be listed?

14 specified major allergens, including gluten, eggs, milk, peanuts, soy, and sesame, are visually highlighted in the ingredients list.

Does the LMIV also apply to unpackaged food?

Yes, with simplified labeling—for example, verbal information backed by written documentation.

Who monitors compliance?

The food safety authorities of the federal states, as well as supplementary private audits conducted in accordance with IFS, BRCGS, or ISO 22000.

Successfully implementing the LMIV

The most critical aspect of production is the allergen changeover between different production runs: If a changeover is not carried out completely and verifiably, there is a risk of cross-contamination and, as a result, incorrect allergen labeling. Connected worker platforms such as weasl map allergen changeover processes as a separate, locked workflow and do not allow the line to be released until all cleaning and inspection steps have been fully verified.

Learn more about weasl and request our product flyer now.

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