You wrote on the label "Pea microgreens, grown without pesticides, packed 08.03" — and consider that everything is done correctly. But if you sell through a shop or at a market as a registered producer, the packaging must also show the producer's name and address, net weight, storage conditions, and best-before date in a clear format — otherwise this is grounds for a fine at the first inspection.
Quick glossary: Labelling — the mandatory set of information on food product packaging as defined by law; the absence of any required element is a violation regardless of whether other elements are present. Best-before date — the date until which the product retains its quality under the stated storage conditions; for greens and microgreens typically expressed as "use by" or "best before" with a specific date. Batch — a unit of product manufactured under the same conditions at the same time; a batch number enables traceability in the event of a complaint or recall.
What Is Mandatory: The Basic List
Ukrainian food labelling legislation is based on the Law "On Consumer Information Regarding Food Products" and technical regulations harmonised with EU requirements. For greens and microgreens as fresh plant produce, the mandatory elements are:
Product name — specific: "Sunflower microgreens," not "Microgreens" or "Fresh greens." If the product contains a blend — list the composition.
Producer's name and address — legal name and address, or sole trader registration number. For individuals not registered as producers — the question of legal sales eligibility is a separate matter, prior to labelling.
Net weight — in grams or kilograms. "Approximately 100 g" does not meet requirements — the weight must be stated as actual with permissible tolerance.
Production date and best-before date — as "packing date" and "use by DD.MM.YYYY" or "suitable for consumption within X days of packing date." Both formats are acceptable, but the consumption date must be unambiguous.
Storage conditions — temperature range: "store at +2...+6°C." If there are special requirements (e.g., "do not freeze") — state them.
Country of origin — "Ukraine" for domestic produce.
What Is Additionally Required for Sales Through Shops and Retail Chains
Retail chains and even small shops typically require more than the legal minimum. Standard additional requirements:
Barcode (EAN-13) — without it a product cannot be entered into the database of most retail systems. Obtained through GS1 Ukraine; registration takes a few days.
Batch number or LOT — for traceability: in the event of a complaint or recall, without a batch number it is impossible to identify the specific production run. This is also a requirement of the HACCP system if implemented.
Nutritional information (calories, protein, fat, carbohydrates per 100 g) — small producers below a certain turnover threshold may be exempt, but retail chains may require it regardless of whether it is legally mandatory.
What "Storage Conditions" Means in Practice
Writing "store in refrigerator" is not sufficient. The regulator requires a temperature range. For greens and microgreens the standard is: +2...+6°C, relative humidity 90–95%. If the packaging uses modified atmosphere (MAP) — state "do not open until use" or equivalent.
Shelf life under correct storage conditions and a maintained cold chain is 5 to 14 days depending on the crop and packaging method. State a shelf life that genuinely reflects product quality at the end of the period — not the maximum theoretically possible. If a buyer complains "it spoiled before the best-before date" — the producer bears responsibility.
Three Mistakes That Cost the Most
Different labelling for different sales channels. At the market — a handwritten sticker; to a shop — proper packaging. If the producer is registered — requirements are identical across all channels. "No one checks at the market" — until the first State Food and Consumer Service inspection.
Best-before date without storage conditions. "Use by 15.03" without stating storage conditions is incomplete labelling. If a buyer stored the product at room temperature and it spoiled within three days — the complaint against the producer is technically valid if conditions were not stated.
Not updating labelling when composition or conditions change. Changed substrate, started using a biological fertiliser, changed seed supplier — if the packaging contains any claims about the growing method ("pesticide-free," "organic"), those claims must reflect the actual current situation. Inaccurate labelling is not only an administrative liability but also a reputational risk.
How to Know Labelling Meets Requirements
Take a package and run through the checklist: product name, producer with address, net weight, packing date, best-before date, storage conditions with temperature, country of origin. If any element is missing — labelling is incomplete regardless of whether there have been complaints before.
For deeper understanding: Food Production Registration in Ukraine — explains what documents and permits are required before labelling becomes legally valid at all, and how registration affects packaging requirements.