What Does the Oval Approval Mark Mean – and Why Is It Important?
You may have spotted a small oval on food packaging containing the letters UK, a code, and sometimes the letters EC. It's officially called an identification mark, though it's often known as the oval approval mark or oval stamp. It shows that the food was made in an establishment officially approved to handle certain products of animal origin, such as meat, fish, dairy and eggs. For a meat producer like us, it's proof that our premises have been inspected and approved for the work we do.
What do the letters and numbers mean?
Our mark reads UK AX 072 EC.
- UK shows the establishment is in the United Kingdom.
- AX 072 is our unique approval number, linked to our production premises.
- EC comes from the format used under EU food hygiene rules, which applied when our approval was granted.
Since the UK left the EU, the identification mark for food made in Great Britain only needs "UK" (or "GB" or "United Kingdom") and the approval number, inside an oval. The letters "EC" are now part of the Northern Ireland format.
Because the number is unique, any product carrying it can be traced back to where it was made. If there were ever a food safety problem, the authorities could find the source quickly and act on it.
Who needs approval, and who gives it?
According to the government's guidance, approval is needed by food businesses that handle products of animal origin and supply them to other businesses, and they can't start trading until they're approved. Most meat products makers, like biltong makers, are approved by their local authority. Slaughterhouses and cutting plants are approved by the Food Standards Agency. Food businesses that don't need approval must still register with their local authority.
Why is the oval mark important?
Approval is more than a form and a logo. The premises and the food safety systems have to meet specific legal requirements, including:
- hygienic preparation and handling
- suitable premises and equipment
- a food safety management system based on HACCP
- controls to prevent contamination
- traceability of ingredients and products
- temperature and storage controls
- accurate labelling
- procedures to withdraw or recall products
Approved premises are also inspected on an ongoing basis. So the mark stands for real systems and accountability, not a marketing claim.
Is it the same as a 5-star hygiene rating?
No, they're two different things. A food hygiene rating reflects the standards found at an inspection, and a 5 is an excellent result. Approval is a separate legal requirement for businesses that handle certain animal products, and a top hygiene rating doesn't replace it. Not every food business needs approval. It depends on what they make and who they supply.
How can I check a mark?
The Food Standards Agency publishes a list of approved food establishments for England, Wales and Northern Ireland, which you can use to look up an approval number.
What it means for our customers
When you see the oval on our biltong, it means it was made in our own approved premises in Cheshire, under documented food safety procedures, with full traceability back to us. It's a small black oval, but it carries a lot of weight. Read more about how we make our biltong.
