The Food Safety (Northern Ireland) Order 1991

Offences N.I.

Time limit for prosecutions N.I.

35.  A prosecution for an offence under this Order which is punishable under Article 36(2) shall not be begun after the expiry of—

(a) 3 years from the commission of the offence; or

(b) one year from its discovery by the prosecution,

whichever is the earlier.

Modifications etc. (not altering text)

C1 Art. 35 applied (with modifications) (20.5.2006) by Ceramic Articles in Contact with Food Regulations (Northern Ireland) 2006 (S.R. 2006/217), reg. 7(d)

C2 Art. 35 applied (with modifications) (7.8.2007) by Addition of Vitamins, Minerals and Other Substances Regulations (Northern Ireland) 2007 (S.R. 2007/301), reg. 5(g)

C3 Art. 35 applied (with modifications) (1.10.2007) by Nutrition and Health Claims Regulations (Northern Ireland) 2007 (S.R. 2007/349), reg. 6(g)

C4 Art. 35 applied (31.7.2009) by Food Irradiation Regulations (Northern Ireland) 2009 (S.R. 2009/258), reg. 11(3)

C5 Art. 35 applied (20.1.2010) by Food Enzymes Regulations (Northern Ireland) 2009 (S.R. 2009/415), reg. 5(4)

C6 Art. 35 applied (20.1.2010) by Food Additives Regulations (Northern Ireland) 2009 (S.R. 2009/416), reg. 16(4)

C7 Art. 35 applied (20.1.2011) by Flavourings in Food Regulations (Northern Ireland) 2010 (S.R. 2010/414), reg. 5(4)

C8 Art. 35 applied (1.7.2011) by Plastic Kitchenware (Conditions on Imports from China) Regulations (Northern Ireland) 2011 (S.R. 2011/236), reg. 11(4)

C9 Art. 35 applied with modifications (31.10.2013) by The Food Additives, Flavourings, Enzymes and Extraction Solvents Regulations (Northern Ireland) 2013 (S.R. 2013/220), regs. 1, 19, Sch. 5

Punishment of offences N.I.

36.—F1 (1) A person guilty of an offence under Article 34(1) shall be liable on summary conviction to a fine not exceeding level 5 on the standard scale or to imprisonment for a term not exceeding 3 months or to both.

F1 (2) A person guilty of any other offence under this Order shall be liable—

(a) on conviction on indictment, to a fine or to imprisonment for a term not exceeding 2 years or to both;

(b) on summary conviction, to a fine not exceeding the relevant amount or to imprisonment for a term not exceeding 6 months or to both.

F1 (3) In paragraph (2) “the relevant amount” means—

(a) in the case of an offence under[F2 Article 6 or 13], £20,000;

(b) in any other case, the statutory maximum.

F1 mod. by SR 2005/284

F2 SR 2004/505

Modifications etc. (not altering text)

C10 Art. 36 applied (with modifications) (1.7.2008) by Drinking Milk Regulations (Northern Ireland) 2008 (S.R. 2008/237), reg. 7(h)

C11 Art. 36 applied (with modifications) (1.7.2008) by Spreadable Fats (Marketing Standards) and the Milk and Milk Products (Protection of Designations) Regulations (Northern Ireland) 2008 (S.R. 2008/239), regs. 3, 7(i)

C12 Art. 36 applied (31.3.2016) by The Animals and Animal Products (Examination for Residues and Maximum Residue Limits) Regulations (Northern Ireland) 2016 (S.R. 2016/54), regs. 1, 32(1)(g)

C13 Art. 36(1)-(3) applied (with modifications) (20.5.2006) by Ceramic Articles in Contact with Food Regulations (Northern Ireland) 2006 (S.R. 2006/217), reg. 7(e)

C14 Art. 36(1) applied (with modifications) (9.11.2006) by Rice Products (Restriction on First Placing on the Market) Regulations (Northern Ireland) 2006 (S.R. 2006/443), reg. 5(f)

C15 Art. 36(1) applied (with modifications) (18.10.2006) by Curd Cheese (Restriction on Placing on the Market) Regulations (Northern Ireland) 2006 (S.R. 2006/415), reg. 4(f)

C16 Art. 36(1) applied (with modifications) (1.7.2006) by Contaminants in Food Regulations (Northern Ireland) 2006 (S.R. 2006/256), reg. 5(1)(g)

C17 mod. by SR 2004/487

C18 Art. 36(1) applied (1.3.2007) by Notification of Marketing of Food for Particular Nutritional Uses Regulations (Northern Ireland) 2007 (S.R. 2007/60), reg. 7(i)

C19 Art. 36(1) applied (with modifications) (1.3.2007) by Quick-frozen Foodstuffs Regulations (Northern Ireland) 2007 (S.R. 2007/65), reg. 10(h)

C20 Art. 36(1) applied (with modifications) (1.3.2007) by Contaminants in Food Regulations (Northern Ireland) 2007 (S.R. 2007/66), reg. 5(1)(g)

C21 Art. 36(1) applied (with modifications) (1.3.2007) by Quick-frozen Foodstuffs (No.2) Regulations (Northern Ireland) 2007 (S.R. 2007/110), reg. 10(h)

C22 Art. 36(1) applied (with modifications) (3.8.2007) by Food (Suspension of the Use of E 128 Red 2G as Food Colour) Regulations (Northern Ireland) 2007 (S.R. 2007/352), reg. 5(f)

C23 Art. 36(1) applied (31.10.2007) by Natural Mineral Water, Spring Water and Bottled Drinking Water Regulations (Northern Ireland) 2007 (S.R. 2007/420), reg. 22(1)(i) (with reg. 3)

C24 Art. 36(1) applied (with modifications) (11.1.2008) by Infant Formula and Follow-on Formula Regulations (Northern Ireland) 2007 (S.R. 2007/506), reg. 29(g)

C25 Art. 36(1) applied (with modifications) (12.3.2008) by Rice Products from the United States of America (Restriction on First Placing on the Market) Regulations (Northern Ireland) 2008 (S.R. 2008/99), reg. 5(f)

C26 Art. 36(1) applied (with modifications) (15.4.2008) by Specified Products from China (Restriction on First Placing on the Market) Regulations (Northern Ireland) 2008 (S.R. 2008/171), reg. 6(f)

C27 Art. 36(1) applied (with modifications) (1.7.2009) by Contaminants in Food Regulations (Northern Ireland) 2009 (S.R. 2009/220), reg. 5(1)(g)

C28 Art. 36(1) applied (with modifications) (31.7.2009) by Food Irradiation Regulations (Northern Ireland) 2009 (S.R. 2009/258), reg. 11(1)(h)

C29 Art. 36(1) applied (with modifications) (1.1.2010) by Food for Particular Nutritional Uses (Addition of Substances for Specific Nutritional Purposes) Regulations (Northern Ireland) 2009 (S.R. 2009/398), reg. 4(g)

C30 Art. 36(1) applied (with modifications) (20.1.2010) by Food Enzymes Regulations (Northern Ireland) 2009 (S.R. 2009/415), reg. 5(1)(d)

C31 Art. 36(1) applied (with modifications) (20.1.2010) by Food Additives Regulations (Northern Ireland) 2009 (S.R. 2009/416), reg. 16(1)(f)

C32 Art. 36(1) applied (with modifications) (20.1.2010) by Food (Jelly Mini-Cups) (Emergency Control) Regulations (Northern Ireland) 2009 (S.R. 2009/417), reg. 5(1)(h)

C33 Art. 36(1) applied (with modifications) (6.4.2010) by Fish Labelling Regulations (Northern Ireland) 2010 (S.R. 2010/54), reg. 10(g)

C34 Art. 36(1) applied (with modifications) (20.10.2010) by Contaminants in Food Regulations (Northern Ireland) 2010 (S.R. 2010/335), reg. 5(1)(g)

C35 Art. 36(1) applied (with modifications) (20.1.2011) by Flavourings in Food Regulations (Northern Ireland) 2010 (S.R. 2010/414), reg. 5(1)(d)

C36 Art. 36(1) applied (with modifications) (1.7.2011) by Plastic Kitchenware (Conditions on Imports from China) Regulations (Northern Ireland) 2011 (S.R. 2011/236), reg. 11(1)(d)

C37 Art. 36(1) applied (with modifications) (1.1.2012) by The Foodstuffs Suitable for People Intolerant to Gluten Regulations (Northern Ireland) 2010 (S.R. 2010/338), regs. 1, 5(g)

C38 Art. 36(1) applied with modifications (7.10.2013) by The Fish Labelling Regulations (Northern Ireland) 2013 (S.R. 2013/219), regs. 1, 9, Sch. Pt 1 para. 1

C39 Art. 36(1)(2) applied with modifications (31.10.2013) by The Food Additives, Flavourings, Enzymes and Extraction Solvents Regulations (Northern Ireland) 2013 (S.R. 2013/220), regs. 1, 19, Sch. 5

C40 Art. 36(1) applied with modifications (31.10.2013) by The Contaminants in Food Regulations (Northern Ireland) 2013 (S.R. 2013/229), regs. 1, 8(1)(g)

C41 Art. 36(1) applied with modifications (20.11.2013) by The Fruit Juices and Fruit Nectars Regulations (Northern Ireland) 2013 (S.R. 2013/253), regs. 1(1), 19, Sch.

C42 Art. 36(1) applied with modifications (20.11.2013) by The Fruit Juices and Fruit Nectars Regulations (Northern Ireland) 2013 (S.R. 2013/253), regs. 1(1), 19, Sch. 14

C43 Art. 36(1)(2) applied (with modifications) (13.12.2014) by The Food Information Regulations (Northern Ireland) 2014 (S.R. 2014/223), regs. 1(2), 12, Sch. 4 Pt. 4

C44 Art. 36(1) applied (with modifications) (13.12.2014) by The Products Containing Meat etc. Regulations (Northern Ireland) 2014 (S.R. 2014/285), regs. 1, 9, Sch. 2

C45 Art. 36(1)(2) applied (with modifications) (24.6.2015) by The Honey Regulations (Northern Ireland) 2015 (S.R. 2015/261), reg. 1, Sch. 2

C46 Art. 36(1)(2) applied (with modifications) (11.9.2015) by The Country of Origin of Certain Meats Regulations (Northern Ireland) 2015 (S.R. 2015/321), regs. 1, 6(4), Sch. Pt. 4

C47 Art. 36(1)(2) applied (with modifications) (28.11.2015) by The Natural Mineral Water, Spring Water and Bottled Drinking Water Regulations (Northern Ireland) 2015 (S.R. 2015/365), regs. 1, 34(3), Sch. 12 Pt. 4 Table

C48 Art. 36(1) applied (with modifications) (20.7.2016) by The Food Safety (Information and Compositional Requirements) Regulations (Northern Ireland) 2016 (S.R. 2016/251), reg. 1, Sch. 2 Pt. 2

C49 Art. 36(1) applied (with modifcations) (22.12.2016) by The Caseins and Caseinates Regulations (Northern Ireland) 2016 (S.R. 2016/415), reg. 1, Sch. 5 Pt. 2

C50 Art. 36(1)(2) applied (with modifications) by S.R. 2012/384, Sch. 2 Pt. 2 (as inserted (14.9.2017) by The Materials and Articles in Contact with Food (Amendment) Regulations (Northern Ireland) 2017 (S.R. 2017/157), reg. 1, Sch. )

C51 Art. 36(2)(3) applied (with modifications) (9.11.2006) by Rice Products (Restriction on First Placing on the Market) Regulations (Northern Ireland) 2006 (S.R. 2006/443), reg. 5(6)

C52 Art. 36(2)(3) applied (with modifications) (18.10.2006) by Curd Cheese (Restriction on Placing on the Market) Regulations (Northern Ireland) 2006 (S.R. 2006/415), reg. 4(g)

C53 Art. 36(2)(3) applied (with modifications) (1.7.2006) by Contaminants in Food Regulations (Northern Ireland) 2006 (S.R. 2006/256), reg. 5(1)(h)

C54 Art. 36(2) applied (1.3.2007) by Notification of Marketing of Food for Particular Nutritional Uses Regulations (Northern Ireland) 2007 (S.R. 2007/60), reg. 7(j)

C55 Art. 36(2) applied (with modifications) (1.3.2007) by Quick-frozen Foodstuffs Regulations (Northern Ireland) 2007 (S.R. 2007/65), reg. 10(i)

C56 Art. 36(2) applied (with modifications) (1.3.2007) by Contaminants in Food Regulations (Northern Ireland) 2007 (S.R. 2007/66), reg. 5(1)(h)

C57 Art. 36(2) applied (with modifications) (1.3.2007) by Quick-frozen Foodstuffs (No.2) Regulations (Northern Ireland) 2007 (S.R. 2007/110), reg. 10(i)

C58 Art. 36(2) applied (with modifications) (3.8.2007) by Food (Suspension of the Use of E 128 Red 2G as Food Colour) Regulations (Northern Ireland) 2007 (S.R. 2007/352), reg. 5(g)

C59 Art. 36(2) applied (31.10.2007) by Natural Mineral Water, Spring Water and Bottled Drinking Water Regulations (Northern Ireland) 2007 (S.R. 2007/420), reg. 22(1)(j) (with reg. 3)

C60 Art. 36(2) applied (with modifications) (11.1.2008) by Infant Formula and Follow-on Formula Regulations (Northern Ireland) 2007 (S.R. 2007/506), reg. 29(h)

C61 Art. 36(2)(3) applied (with modifications) (12.3.2008) by Rice Products from the United States of America (Restriction on First Placing on the Market) Regulations (Northern Ireland) 2008 (S.R. 2008/99), reg. 5(g)

C62 Art. 36(2)(3) applied (with modifications) (15.4.2008) by Specified Products from China (Restriction on First Placing on the Market) Regulations (Northern Ireland) 2008 (S.R. 2008/171), reg. 6(g)

C63 Art. 36(2)(3) applied (with modifications) (1.7.2009) by Contaminants in Food Regulations (Northern Ireland) 2009 (S.R. 2009/220), reg. 5(1)(h)

C64 Art. 36(2)(3) applied (with modifications) (1.1.2010) by Food for Particular Nutritional Uses (Addition of Substances for Specific Nutritional Purposes) Regulations (Northern Ireland) 2009 (S.R. 2009/398), reg. 4(h)

C65 Art. 36(2)(3) applied (with modifications) (20.1.2010) by Food Additives Regulations (Northern Ireland) 2009 (S.R. 2009/416), reg. 16(1)(g)

C66 Art. 36(2)(3) applied (with modifications) (20.1.2010) by Food (Jelly Mini-Cups) (Emergency Control) Regulations (Northern Ireland) 2009 (S.R. 2009/417), reg. 5(1)(i)

C67 Art. 36(2)(3) applied (with modifications) (20.1.2010) by Food Enzymes Regulations (Northern Ireland) 2009 (S.R. 2009/415), reg. 5(1)(e)

C68 Art. 36(2) applied (with modifications) (6.4.2010) by Fish Labelling Regulations (Northern Ireland) 2010 (S.R. 2010/54), reg. 10(h)

C69 Art. 36(2) applied (with modifications) (20.10.2010) by Contaminants in Food Regulations (Northern Ireland) 2010 (S.R. 2010/335), reg. 5(1)(h)

C70 Art. 36(2) applied (with modifications) (20.1.2011) by Flavourings in Food Regulations (Northern Ireland) 2010 (S.R. 2010/414), reg. 5(1)(e)

C71 Art. 36(2)(3) applied (with modifications) (1.7.2011) by Plastic Kitchenware (Conditions on Imports from China) Regulations (Northern Ireland) 2011 (S.R. 2011/236), reg. 11(1)(e)

C72 Art. 36(2) applied (with modifications) (1.1.2012) by The Foodstuffs Suitable for People Intolerant to Gluten Regulations (Northern Ireland) 2010 (S.R. 2010/338), regs. 1, 5(h)

C73 Art. 36(2) applied with modifications (7.10.2013) by The Fish Labelling Regulations (Northern Ireland) 2013 (S.R. 2013/219), regs. 1, 9, Sch. Pt 1 para. 1

C74 Art. 36(2)(3) applied with modifications (31.10.2013) by The Contaminants in Food Regulations (Northern Ireland) 2013 (S.R. 2013/229), regs. 1, 8(1)(h)

C75 Art. 36(2) applied with modifications (20.11.2013) by The Fruit Juices and Fruit Nectars Regulations (Northern Ireland) 2013 (S.R. 2013/253), regs. 1(1), 19, Sch. 14

C76 Art. 36(2) applied with modifications (20.11.2013) by The Fruit Juices and Fruit Nectars Regulations (Northern Ireland) 2013 (S.R. 2013/253), regs. 1(1), 19, Sch.

C77 Art. 36(2) applied (with modifications) (13.12.2014) by The Products Containing Meat etc. Regulations (Northern Ireland) 2014 (S.R. 2014/285), regs. 1, 9, Sch. 2

C78 Art. 36(2) applied (with modifications) (20.7.2016) by The Food Safety (Information and Compositional Requirements) Regulations (Northern Ireland) 2016 (S.R. 2016/251), reg. 1, Sch. 2 Pt. 2

C79 Art. 36(2) applied (with modifcations) (22.12.2016) by The Caseins and Caseinates Regulations (Northern Ireland) 2016 (S.R. 2016/415), reg. 1, Sch. 5 Pt. 2

C80 Art. 36(2)(b) applied (with modifications) (20.7.2016) by The Food Safety (Information and Compositional Requirements) Regulations (Northern Ireland) 2016 (S.R. 2016/251), reg. 1, Sch. 2 Pt. 2

C81 Art. 36(3) applied (with modifications) (1.3.2007) by Quick-frozen Foodstuffs Regulations (Northern Ireland) 2007 (S.R. 2007/65), reg. 10(i)

C82 Art. 36(3) applied (with modifications) (1.3.2007) by Contaminants in Food Regulations (Northern Ireland) 2007 (S.R. 2007/66), reg. 5(1)(h)

C83 Art. 36(3) applied (with modifications) (1.3.2007) by Quick-frozen Foodstuffs (No.2) Regulations (Northern Ireland) 2007 (S.R. 2007/110), reg. 10(i)

C84 Art. 36(3) applied (with modifications) (3.8.2007) by Food (Suspension of the Use of E 128 Red 2G as Food Colour) Regulations (Northern Ireland) 2007 (S.R. 2007/352), reg. 5(g)

C85 Art. 36(3) applied (31.10.2007) by Natural Mineral Water, Spring Water and Bottled Drinking Water Regulations (Northern Ireland) 2007 (S.R. 2007/420), reg. 22(1)(j) (with reg. 3)

C86 Art. 36(3) applied (with modifications) (11.1.2008) by Infant Formula and Follow-on Formula Regulations (Northern Ireland) 2007 (S.R. 2007/506), reg. 29(h)

C87 Art. 36(3) applied (1.3.2007) by Notification of Marketing of Food for Particular Nutritional Uses Regulations (Northern Ireland) 2007 (S.R. 2007/60), reg. 7(j)

C88 Art. 36(3) applied (with modifications) (6.4.2010) by Fish Labelling Regulations (Northern Ireland) 2010 (S.R. 2010/54), reg. 10(h)

C89 Art. 36(3) applied (with modifications) (20.10.2010) by Contaminants in Food Regulations (Northern Ireland) 2010 (S.R. 2010/335), reg. 5(1)(h)

C90 Art. 36(3) applied (with modifications) (20.1.2011) by Flavourings in Food Regulations (Northern Ireland) 2010 (S.R. 2010/414), reg. 5(1)(e)

C91 Art. 36(3) applied (with modifications) (1.1.2012) by The Foodstuffs Suitable for People Intolerant to Gluten Regulations (Northern Ireland) 2010 (S.R. 2010/338), regs. 1, 5(h)