Legal name is the name prescribed by EU or national legislation for a food product, such as reserved descriptions for honey or fruit juices, and it must appear on the label and cannot be replaced by a brand name alone.
In trade practice
Buyers and suppliers verify the legal name against Regulation (EU) No 1169/2011 and any product-specific legislation before artwork is approved. Where no legal name exists, a customary name or descriptive name is used instead. A common mistake is substituting a trade or brand name for the legal name on export documentation and packaging, which can trigger non-conformance at EU border controls. Quality assurance teams check that the legal name matches the product description on the health or phytosanitary certificate.
In a specification
A product specification typically states the required legal name verbatim, referencing the applicable EU or national instrument, and requires the supplier to confirm compliance on each batch declaration.