The details that must be shown on packaging include a list of ingredients and quantities, potential allergens (products which may cause allergies), the minimum durability date, conditions for keeping and last but not least the name under which the product is sold. Consequently the entrepreneur must consider national peculiarities.

Products that are considered as part of the Italian cultural heritage must be sold under the appropriate name. For instance, “ricotta”, is usually advertised in the UK as “cheese”. This fails to meet the essential characteristics needed for a product to be considered as cheese (“formaggio”) in Italy and could be interpreted as misleading consumers.

The European Directives relating to the labelling, presentation and advertising of foodstuffs are implemented in its stringent versions in Italy, especially if notifying duties to ministries may be foreseen.