Overview of the different labeling and marking requirements, including any restrictive advertising or labeling practices and where to get more information.

Bermuda follows the same labeling and marking requirements as the U.S. and the UK. The Public Health Act regulates and enforces food labeling legislation. The merchandise itself must bear a mark of origin (e.g. “Made in the U.S.A.”) whenever English wording appears that could possibly be considered misleading as to the true origin or the goods.
 
Foreign food labels must be applied prior to import into Bermuda. The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) requires that food product labels indicate:

  • The descriptive name of the product;
  • The list of ingredients, including food additives in descending order by weight;
  • The name, address and telephone number of the manufacturer or distributor;
  • Net weight or volume in metric units; and
  • Any instructions for storage and use when applicable.

In addition, the USDA may require the following in a new market:

  • Product expiration date;                     
  • Percentages of major product ingredients;
  • Special food additive codes; and
  • Nutrition information based on the destination country’s regulations

Bermuda food labeling legislation and regulations apply to fish taken from the Exclusive Economic Zone and to milk and dairy products.  It is an offense for food to be falsely labeled. As of 2015, the Department of Health and the Department of Consumer Affairs were drafting labeling legislation for locally produced products.  To date, local producers have been operating under a voluntary agreement to provide the following minimum information on the labels: 

  • Name of food;
  • Name of manufacturer or distributor;
  • E-mail address, address or contact number of the manufacturer or packer;
  • List of all ingredients in descending order of quantity;
  • An appropriate date marking;
  • List of natural and artificial additives;
  • Net quantity of the food (by weight if solid, by volume if liquid); and
  • Appropriate storage information.

In addition, the Public Health (Food) Regulations 1950 prohibit the importation of any food that:

  • is intended but is unfit for human consumption;
  • has been manufactured or prepared under unsanitary conditions;
  • has been adulterated;
  • is not permitted to be sold, or whose sale is restricted, in the country from which it is exported.

For more information please contact the Bermuda Department of Health (www.health.gov.bm) and the Department of Consumer Affairs (www.ca.gov.bm). 

Prepared by our U.S. Embassies abroad. With its network of 108 offices across the United States and in more than 75 countries, the U.S. Commercial Service of the U.S. Department of Commerce utilizes its global presence and international marketing expertise to help U.S. companies sell their products and services worldwide. Locate the U.S. Commercial Service trade specialist in the U.S. nearest you by visiting http://export.gov/usoffices.