
1 
These Regulations may be cited as the Processed Cereal-based Foods and Baby Foods for Infants and Young Children Regulations (Northern Ireland) 2003 and shall come into operation on 6th March 2005.
2 

(1) In these Regulations –
 “baby foods” means foods for particular nutritional use fulfilling the particular requirements of infants and young children in good health and intended for use by infants while they are being weaned, and by young children as a supplement to their diet or for their progressive adaptation to ordinary food, but excludes processed cereal-based foods;
 “the Directive” means Commission Directive 2006/125/EC on processed cereal-based foods and baby foods for infants and young children;
 ...
 
 “infants” means children under the age of twelve months;
 “the Order” means the Food Safety (Northern Ireland) Order 1991;
 “pesticide residue” means the residue in processed cereal-based foods or baby foods of a plant protection product as defined in point 1 of Article 2 of Council Directive 91/414/EEC concerning the placing of plant protection products on the market, including its metabolites and products resulting from its degradation or reaction;
 “processed cereal-based foods” means foods for particular nutritional use within the categories specified in Part I of Schedule 1 fulfilling the particular requirements of infants and young children in good health and intended for use by infants while they are being weaned, and by young children as a supplement to their diet or for their progressive adaptation to ordinary food;
 “sell” includes possess for sale and offer, expose or advertise for sale; and
 “young children” means children aged between one and three years.
(2) Other expressions used in these Regulations and in the Directive have the same meaning in these Regulations as they have in the Directive.
(3) Where any Schedule contains any note, the provisions of that Schedule shall be interpreted and applied in accordance with such note.
3 
These Regulations shall not apply to any baby food which is a milk intended for young children.
4 
No person shall sell any processed cereal-based food or baby food unless –
(a) it complies with the requirements of regulations 5 to 7 as to manufacture and composition; and
(b) it is labelled in accordance with regulation 8.
5 

(1) No processed cereal-based food or baby food shall be manufactured from any ingredient other than those whose suitability for particular nutritional use by infants and young children has been established by generally accepted scientific data.
(2) No processed cereal-based food or baby food shall contain any substance in such quantity as to endanger the health of infants or young children.
(3) The composition of a processed cereal-based food shall comply with the criteria specified in Part II of Schedule 1 as read with Schedule 2.
(4) The composition of a baby food shall comply with the criteria specified in Schedule 3.
6 

(1) In the manufacture of any processed cereal-based food or baby food, no nutritional substance shall be added other than a nutritional substance specified in Schedule 4.
(2) No processed cereal-based food or baby food shall contain any added nutrient specified in column 1 of Part I of Schedule 5 in an amount exceeding the maximum limit specified opposite that nutrient in column 2 of that Part.
(3) No processed cereal-based food or baby food specified in column 1 of Part II of Schedule 5 shall contain any added nutrient specified opposite that food in column 2 of that Part in an amount exceeding the maximum limit specified opposite that food in column 3 of that Part.
7 

(1) No processed cereal-based food or baby food shall contain –
(a) any pesticide residue of a pesticide specified in Schedule 6; or
(b) any omethoate, where it is a metabolite of a pesticide not specified in Schedule 6, or any product resulting from degradation or reaction of that metabolite,
at a level exceeding 0.003 mg/kg.
(2) No processed cereal-based food or baby food shall contain any pesticide residue of a pesticide specified in column 1 of Schedule 7 at a level exceeding that specified in column 2 of that Schedule in relation to that pesticide.
(3) No processed cereal-based food or baby food shall contain any pesticide residue of any individual pesticide which is not specified in Schedule 6 or column 1 of Schedule 7 at a level exceeding 0.01 mg/kg.
(4) The levels referred to in paragraphs (1) to (3) apply to the processed cereal-based food or baby food –
(a) manufactured as ready for consumption, or
(b) if it is not so manufactured, as reconstituted according to its manufacturer’s instructions.
(5) Analytical methods for determining levels of pesticide residues for the purposes of this regulation shall be generally acceptable standardised methods.
8 

(1) Without prejudice to the generality of  Regulation (EU) No 1169/2011 of the European Parliament and of the Council on the provision of food information to consumers , processed cereal-based foods and baby foods shall be labelled with the following particulars –
(a) a statement as to the appropriate age (which shall be not less than four months) from which the food may be used, regard being had to its composition, texture or other particular properties;
(b) information as to the presence or absence of gluten if the age stated pursuant to sub-paragraph (a) is less than six months;
(c) the available energy value expressed in kJ and kcal, and the protein, carbohydrate and fat content, expressed in numerical form, per 100g or 100ml of the food as sold and, where appropriate, per specified quantity of the food as proposed for consumption;
(d) the average quantity, expressed in numerical form, per 100g or 100ml of the food as sold and, where appropriate, per specified quantity of the food as proposed for consumption, of each mineral substance and of each vitamin in respect of which a maximum or a minimum compositional requirement is specified in –
(i) Part II of Schedule 1 in the case of processed cereal-based foods; and
(ii) Schedule 3 in the case of baby foods; and
(e) if preparation of the food is necessary, appropriate instructions for preparation and a statement as to the importance of following those instructions.
(2) Subject to paragraph (1)(d), no processed cereal-based food or baby food shall be labelled with the average quantity of any nutrient specified in Schedule 4 unless –
(a) that average quantity is expressed in numerical form, per 100g or 100ml of the food as sold and, where appropriate, per specified quantity of the food as proposed for consumption; and
(b) in the case of a mineral substance or vitamin, it is a mineral substance or vitamin other than one referred to in paragraph (1)(d).
(3) Where, pursuant to paragraph (1)(d) or paragraph (2), any processed cereal-based food or baby food is labelled with the average quantity, per 100g or 100ml of the food as sold and, where appropriate, per specified quantity of the food as proposed for consumption, of any vitamin or mineral which is specified in column 1 of Schedule 8, the labelling of the food shall not express that average quantity as a percentage of the reference value specified in column 2 of Schedule 8 in relation to that vitamin or mineral unless the quantity present is equal to 15 per cent or more of the reference value.
9 
Each district council shall enforce and execute these Regulations within its district.
10 
If any person contravenes regulation 4 he shall be guilty of an offence and liable on summary conviction to a fine not exceeding level 5 on the standard scale.
11 
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
12 
The following provisions of the Order shall apply for the purposes of these Regulations and any reference in them to the Order shall be construed as a reference to these Regulations –
(a) Articles 2(4) and 3 (extended meaning of “sale” etc.);
(b) Article 4 (presumptions that food intended for human consumption);
(c) Article 19 (offences due to fault of another person);
(d) Article 20 (defence of due diligence) as it applies for the purposes of Articles 7, 13 or 14 of the Order;
(e) Article 21 (defence of publication in the course of business);
(f) Article 30(8) (which relates to documentary evidence);
(g) Article 34 (obstruction, etc., of officers);
(h) Article 36 (punishment of offences) in so far as it relates to offences under Article 34(1) and (2) as applied by paragraph (g).
13 
The Processed Cereal-based Foods and Baby Foods for Infants and Young Children Regulations (Northern Ireland) 1997, the Processed Cereal-based Foods and Baby Foods for Infants and Young Children (Amendment) Regulations (Northern Ireland) 1999 and the Processed Cereal-based Foods and Baby Foods for Infants and Young Children (Amendment) Regulations (Northern Ireland) 2000 are hereby revoked.
Sealed with the Official Seal of the Department of Health, Social Services and Public Safety on 12th December 2003.
Denis McMahon
A Senior Officer of the
Department of Health, Social Services and Public Safety

SCHEDULE 1
Regulations 2(1), 5(3) and 8(1)(d)
PART I
1 
Simple cereals which are or have to be reconstituted with milk or other appropriate nutritious liquids.
2 
Cereals with an added high protein food which are or have to be reconstituted with water or other protein-free liquid.
3 
Pastas which are to be used after cooking in boiling water or other appropriate liquids.
4 
Rusks and biscuits which are to be used either directly or, after pulverisation, with the addition of water, milk or other suitable liquids.
PART II
The requirements concerning nutrients refer to the products ready for use, marketed as such or reconstituted as instructed by the manufacturer.

1 
Processed cereal-based foods are prepared primarily from one or more milled cereals and/or starchy root products.
The amount of cereal and/or starchy root shall not be less than 25 per cent of the final mixture on a dry weight for weight basis.
2 

(2.1) For products mentioned in paragraphs 2 and 4 of Part I, the protein content shall not exceed 1.3 g/100 kJ (5.5 g/100 kcal).
(2.2) For products mentioned in paragraph 2 of Part I, the added protein shall not be less than 0.48 g/100 kJ (2 g/100 kcal).
(2.3) For biscuits mentioned in paragraph 4 of Part I made with the addition of a high protein food, and presented as such, the added protein shall not be less than 0.36 g/100 kJ (1.5 g/100 kcal).
(2.4) The chemical index of the added protein shall be equal to at least 80 per cent of that of the reference protein (casein as defined in Schedule 2), or the protein efficiency ratio (PER) of the protein in the mixture shall be equal to at least 70 per cent of that of the reference protein. In all cases, the addition of amino acids is permitted solely for the purpose of improving the nutritional value of the protein mixture, and only in the proportions necessary for that purpose.
3 

(3.1) If sucrose, fructose, glucose, glucose syrups or honey are added to products mentioned in paragraphs 1 and 4 of Part I:
— the amount of added carbohydrates from these sources shall not exceed 1.8 g/100 kJ (7.5 g/100 kcal),
— the amount of added fructose shall not exceed 0.9 g/100 kJ (3.75 g/100 kcal).
(3.2) If sucrose, fructose, glucose syrups or honey are added to products mentioned in paragraph 2 of Part I:
— the amount of added carbohydrates from these sources shall not exceed 1.2 g/100 kJ (5 g/100 kcal),
— the amount of added fructose shall not exceed 0.6 g/100 kJ (2.5 g/100 kcal).
4 

(4.1) For products mentioned in paragraphs 1 and 4 of Part I, the fat content shall not exceed 0.8 g/100 kJ (3.3 g/100 kcal).
(4.2) For products mentioned in paragraph 2 of Part I, the fat content shall not exceed 1.1 g/100 kJ (4.5 g/100 kcal). If the fat content exceeds 0.8 g/100 kJ (3.3 g/100 kcal):
(a) the amount of lauric acid shall not exceed 15 per cent of the total fat content;
(b) the amount of myristic acid shall not exceed 15 per cent of the total fat content;
(c) the amount of linoleic acid (in the form of glycerides = linoleates) shall not be less than 70 mg/100 kJ (300 mg/100 kcal) and shall not exceed 285 mg/100 kJ (1200 mg/100 kcal).
5 

(5.1) 
— sodium salts may only be added to processed cereal-based foods for technological purposes,
— the sodium content of processed cereal-based foods shall not exceed 25 mg /100 kJ (100 mg/100 kcal).
(5.2) 
(5.2.1) For products mentioned in paragraph 2 of Part I, the amount of calcium shall not be less than 20 mg/100 kJ (80 mg/100 kcal).
(5.2.2) For products mentioned in paragraph 4 of Part I manufactured with the addition of milk (milk biscuits) and presented as such, the amount of calcium shall not be less than 12 mg/100 kJ (50 mg/100 kcal).
6 

(6.1) For processed cereal-based foods the amount of thiamin shall not be less than 25 μg/100 kJ (100 μg/100 kcal).
(6.2) For products mentioned in paragraph 2 of Part I:

 Per 100 kJ Per 100 kcal
 Minimum Maximum Minimum Maximum
Vitamin A (μg RE) 14 43 60 180
Vitamin D (μg) 0.25 0.75 1 3


These limits are also applicable if vitamins A and D are added to other processed cereal-based foods.
SCHEDULE 2
Regulations 5(3) and Schedule 1, Part II, paragraph 2.4


Amino acid (g per 100 g of protein)
Arginine 3.7
Cystine 0.3
Histidine 2.9
Isoleucine 5.4
Leucine 9.5
Lysine 8.1
Methionine 2.8
Phenylalanine 5.2
Threonine 4.7
Tryptophan 1.6
Tyrosine 5.8
Valine 6.7
SCHEDULE 3
Regulations 5(4) and 8(1)(d)
The requirements concerning nutrients refer to the products ready for use, marketed as such or reconstituted as instructed by the manufacturer.

1 

(1.1) If meat, poultry, fish, offal or other traditional source of protein are the only ingredients mentioned in the name of the product, then:
— the named meat, poultry, fish, offal or other traditional protein source, in total, shall constitute not less than 40 per cent by weight of the total product,
— each named meat, poultry, fish, offal or other traditional source of protein shall constitute not less than 25 per cent, by weight, of total named protein sources,
— the total protein from the named sources shall not be less than 1.7 g/100 kJ (7 g/100 kcal).
(1.2) If meat, poultry, fish, offal or other traditional source of protein, singularly or in combination, are mentioned first in the name of the product, whether or not the product is presented as a meal, then:
— the named poultry, fish, offal or other traditional protein source, in total, shall constitute not less than 10 per cent by weight of the total product,
— each named meat, poultry, fish, offal or other traditional source of protein shall constitute not less than 25 per cent by weight, of total named protein sources,
— the protein from the named sources shall not be less than 1 g/100 kJ (4 g/100 kcal).
(1.3) If meat, poultry, fish, offal or other traditional source of protein, singularly or in combination are mentioned, but not first, in the name of the product, whether or not the product is presented as a meal, then:
— the named meat, poultry, fish, offal or other traditional protein source, in total, shall constitute not less than 8 per cent by weight of the total product,
— each named meat, poultry, fish, offal or other traditional source of protein shall constitute not less than 25 per cent, by weight, of total named protein sources,
— the total protein from the named sources shall not be less than 0.5 g/100 kJ (2.2 g/100 kcal),
— the total protein in the product from all sources shall not be less than 0.7 g/100 kJ (3 g/100 kcal)
(1.4) If cheese is mentioned together with other ingredients in the name of a savoury product, whether or not the product is presented as a meal, then:
— the protein from the dairy sources shall not be less than 0.5 g/100 kJ (2.2 g/100 kcal),
— the total protein in the product from all sources shall not be less than 0.7 g/100 kJ (3 g/100 kcal).
(1.5) If the product is designated on the label as a meal, but does not mention meat, poultry, fish, offal or other traditional source of protein in the name of the product, the total protein in the product from all sources shall not be less than 0.7 g/100 kJ (3 g /100 kcal).
(1.6) Sauces presented as an accompaniment to a meal are exempt from the requirements of paragraph 1.1 to 1.5.
(1.7) Sweet dishes that mention dairy products as the first or only ingredient in the name shall contain not less than 2.2 g dairy protein/100 kcal. All other sweet dishes are exempt from the requirements in paragraph 1.1 to 1.5.
(1.8) The addition of amino acids is permitted solely for the purpose of improving the nutritional value of the protein present, and only in the proportions necessary for that purpose.
2 
The quantities of total carbohydrates present in fruit and vegetable juices and nectars, fruit-only dishes, and desserts or puddings shall not exceed:
— 10 g/100 ml for vegetable juices and drinks based on them,
— 15 g/100 ml for fruit juices and nectars and drinks based on them,
— 20 g/100 g for fruit-only dishes,
— 25 g/100 g for desserts and puddings,
— 5 g/100 g for other non-milk-based drinks.
3 

(3.1) For products referred to in paragraph 1.1 if meat or cheese are the only ingredients or are mentioned first in the name of a product, the total fat in the product from all sources shall not exceed 1.4 g/100 kJ (6g/100 kcal).
(3.2) For all other products the total fat in the product from all sources shall not exceed 1.1 g/100 kJ (4.5 g/100 kcal).
4 

(4.1) The final sodium content in the product shall be either not more than 48 mg/100 kJ (200 mg/100 kcal) or not more than 200 mg per 100 g. However if cheese is the only ingredient mentioned in the name of the product, the final sodium content in the product shall not be more than 70 mg/100 kJ (300 mg/100 kcal).
(4.2) Sodium salts may not be added to products based on fruit, nor to desserts or puddings except for technological purposes.
5 

 Vitamin C –
In a fruit juice, nectar, or vegetable juice the final content of vitamin C in the product shall be either not less than 6 mg/100 kJ (25 mg/100 kcal) or not less than 25 mg per 100 g.
 Vitamin A –
In vegetable juices, the final content of vitamin A in the product shall be not less than 25 μg RE/100 kJ (100 μg RE/100 kcal) and, for the purposes of this paragraph, RE = all trans retinol equivalents.
Vitamin A shall not be added to other baby foods.
 Vitamin D –
Vitamin D shall not be added to baby foods.
SCHEDULE 4
Regulations 6(1) and 8(2)
5 

 Vitamin ARetinolRetinyl acetateRetinyl palmitateBeta-carotene
 Vitamin DVitamin D2 (= ergocalciferol)Vitamin D3 (= cholecalciferol)
 Vitamin B1Thiamin hydrochlorideThiamin mononitrate
 Vitamin B2RiboflavinRiboflavin-5'-phosphate, sodium
 NiacinNicotinamideNicotinic acid
 Vitamin B6Pyridoxine hydrochloridePyridoxine-5-phosphatePyridoxine dipalmitate
 Pantothenic acidD-pantothenate, calciumD-pantothenate, sodiumDexpanthenol
 FolateFolic acid
 Vitamin B12CyanocobalaminHydroxocobalamin
 BiotinD-biotin
 Vitamin CL-ascorbic acidSodium L-ascorbateCalcium L-ascorbate6-palmityl-L-ascorbic acid (ascorbyl palmitate)Potassium ascorbate
 Vitamin KPhylloquinone (phytomenadione)
 Vitamin ED-alpha tocopherolDL-alpha tocopherolD-alpha tocopherol acetateDL-alpha tocopherol acetate
6 

 L-arginine }
 L-cystine }
 L-histidine }
 L-isoleucine } and their hydrochlorides
 L-leucine }
 L-lysine }
 L-cysteine }
 L-methionine
 L-phenylalanine
 L-threonine
 L-tryptophan
 L-tyrosine
 L-valine
7 

 Choline
 Choline chloride
 Choline citrate
 Choline bitartrate
 Inositol
 L-carnitine
 L-carnitine hydrochloride
8 

 CalciumCalcium carbonateCalcium chlorideCalcium salts of citric acidCalcium gluconateCalcium glycerophosphateCalcium lactateCalcium oxideCalcium hydroxideCalcium salts of orthophosphoric acid
 MagnesiumMagnesium carbonateMagnesium chlorideMagnesium salts of citric acidMagnesium gluconateMagnesium oxideMagnesium hydroxideMagnesium salts of orthophosphoric acidMagnesium sulphateMagnesium lactateMagnesium glycerophosphate
 PotassiumPotassium chloridePotassium salts of citric acidPotassium gluconatePotassium lactatePotassium glycerophosphate
 IronFerrous citrateFerric ammonium citrateFerrous gluconateFerrous lactateFerrous sulphateFerrous fumarateFerric diphosphate (ferric pyrophosphate)Elemental iron (carbonyl + electrolytic + hydrogen-reduced)Ferric saccharateSodium ferric diphosphateFerrous carbonate
 CopperCopper-lysine complexCupric carbonateCupric citrateCupric gluconateCupric sulphate
 ZincZinc acetateZinc citrateZinc lactateZinc sulphateZinc oxideZinc gluconate
 ManganeseManganese carbonateManganese chlorideManganese citrateManganese gluconateManganese sulphateManganese glycerophosphate
 IodineSodium iodidePotassium iodidePotassium iodateSodium iodate
SCHEDULE 5
Regulation 6(2) and (3)
PART I

Column 1 Column 2
Nutrient Maximum limit per 100 kcal
Vitamin E 3 mg α-TE
Riboflavin 0.4 mg
Niacin 4.5 mg NE
Vitamin B6 0.35 mg
Folic acid 50 μg
Vitamin B12 0.35 μg
Pantothenic acid 1.5 mg
Biotin 10 μg
Potassium 160 mg (of the food as sold)
Magnesium 40 mg
Iron 3 mg
Zinc 2 mg
Copper 40 μg
Iodine 35 μg
Manganese 0.6 mg

PART II

Column 1 Column 2 Column 3
Food Nutrient Maximum limit per 100 kcal
1. Vegetable juices which are baby foods Vitamin A 180 μg RE
2. Food fortified with iron Vitamin C 25 mg
3. Fruit-based dishes, fruit juices, nectars or vegetable juices Vitamin C 125 mg
4. Food other than that within entry number 2 or 3 above Vitamin C 12.5 mg
5. Processed cereal-based food Thiamin 0.5 mg
6. Baby food Thiamin 0.25 mg
7. Food within paragraph 1 or 2 of Part I of Schedule 1 Calcium 180 mg (of the food as sold)
8. Food within paragraph 4 of Part I of Schedule 1 Calcium 100 mg (of the food as sold)
9. Food other than that within entry number 7 or 8 above Calcium 80 mg (of the food as sold)


SCHEDULE 6
Regulation 7(1) and (3)

 Aldrin and dieldrin, expressed as dieldrin
 Disulfoton (sum of disulfoton, disulfoton sulfoxide and disulfoton sulfone expressed as disulfoton)
 Endrin
 Fensulfothion (sum of fensulfothion, its oxygen analogue and their sulfones, expressed as fensulfothion)
 Fentin, expressed as triphenyltin cation
 Haloxyfop (sum of haloxyfop, its salts and esters including conjugates, expressed as haloxyfop)
 Heptachlor and trans-heptachlor epoxide, expressed as heptachlor
 Hexachlorobenzene
 Nitrofen
 Omethoate
 Terbufos (sum of terbufos, its sulfoxide and sulfone, expressed as terbufos)
SCHEDULE 7
Regulation 7(2) and (3)


Column 1 Column 2
Chemical name of the substance Maximum residue level (mg/kg)
Cadusafos 0.006
Demeton-S-methyl/demeton-S-methyl sulfone/oxydemeton-methyl (individually or combined, expressed as demeton-S-methyl) 0.006
Ethoprophos 0.008
Fipronil (sum of fipronil and fipronil-desulfinyl, expressed as fipronil) 0.004
Propineb/propylenethiourea (sum of propineb and propylenethiourea) 0.006
SCHEDULE 8
Regulation 8(3)


Column 1 Column 2
Nutrient Labelling reference value
Vitamin A (μg) 400
Vitamin D (μg) 10
Vitamin C (mg) 25
Thiamin (mg) 0.5
Riboflavin (mg) 0.8
Niacin equivalents (mg) 9
Vitamin B6 (mg) 0.7
Folate (μg) 100
Vitamin B12 (μg) 0.7
Calcium (mg) 400
Iron (mg) 6
Zinc (mg) 4
Iodine (μg) 70
Selenium (μg) 10
Copper (mg) 0.4