Conventional foods

Conventional foods

Legal framework

Harmonized rules

The definition of food is provided in Regulation (EC) No 178/2002 laying down the general principles and requirements of food law, establishing the European Food Safety Authority, and laying down procedures in matters of food safety (the so called General Food Law).

Food (or foodstuff) means any substance or product, whether processed, partially processed, or unprocessed, intended to be or reasonably expected to be ingested by humans.

Food includes drink, chewing gum, and any substance, including water, intentionally incorporated into the food during its manufacture, preparation, or treatment.

However, food does not include the following:

(a) feed;

(b) live animals unless they are prepared for placing on the market forhuman consumption;

(c) plants prior to harvesting;

(d) medicinal products;

(e) cosmetics;

(f) tobacco and tobacco products;

(g) narcotic or psychotropic substances;

(h) residues and contaminants.

Food law in the EU is composed of laws and regulations at the EU and Member State level. The biggest part of food law in the EU is harmonized. The following is a non-exhaustive list of areas that have been harmonized in EU food law and that apply to all food products:

• Food hygiene
• Food irradiation
• Microbiological criteria
• Maximum levels of contaminants
• Maximum residue levels of pesticides
• Maximum residue levels of veterinary medicines
• Food additives
• Food enzymes
• Food flavourings
• Extraction solvents
• Novel foods
• Genetically modified foods
• Food labelling
• Nutrition and health claims
• Food contact materials

Non-harmonized rules

A smaller part of food law in the EU is not harmonized. In the absence of EU rules, Member States are free to have their own national rules in these areas. As a consequence, there may be differences among the national rules of the Member States in these areas.

How we can assist

We can review the formulation of your product in line with EU and Member State laws.

• Our comprehensive report indicates the legal status of each ingredient, together with the underlying legal reasoning.

We can review the label of your product in line with EU and Member State laws.

• Our comprehensive report indicates the labelling requirements and the legal status of each particular on the label, including claims, together with the underlying legal reasoning. The report also includes the proposed legally compliant and translated label text.

We can review the marketing materials of your product in line with EU law.

• Our comprehensive report indicates the legal status of each marketing statement, together with the underlying legal reasoning. The report also includes the proposed legally compliant and translated marketing text.