European citizens place a high priority on having access to food that is not only safe and wholesome but also adheres to the highest standards. This commitment to food safety and quality is central to the concept of Euro Foodstuff regulations and practices.
Driven by a series of food safety incidents in the late 1990s, the European Union recognized the critical need for unified principles and requirements governing food and feed law across all member states. This realization led the European Commission to develop a comprehensive and integrated ‘farm to fork’ approach to food safety, initially outlined in its White Paper on Food Safety. This strategy encompasses every stage of the food chain, from the very beginning with feed production and primary agricultural practices, through food processing, storage, and transportation, all the way to retail sale and the consumer’s table.
The cornerstone of this framework is Regulation (EC) No 178/2002, enacted by the European Parliament and the Council in 2002. This regulation, known as the General Food Law Regulation, establishes the fundamental principles and requirements of food law within the EU. It serves as the bedrock for all food and feed legislation at both the Union and national levels, providing a cohesive structure for developing and implementing food safety policies.
At its core, the General Food Law Regulation defines the overarching principles, essential requirements, and necessary procedures that guide decision-making processes related to food and feed safety. These provisions apply across all phases of food and feed production and distribution, ensuring a consistent and rigorous approach to safety.
To bolster the scientific basis of food safety regulations, the regulation also established the European Food Safety Authority (EFSA). This independent agency is responsible for providing objective scientific advice and support, informing policy decisions and risk assessments related to euro foodstuff safety.
Furthermore, the General Food Law Regulation establishes key mechanisms for managing food-related emergencies and crises, including the Rapid Alert System for Food and Feed (RASFF). RASFF is a crucial tool for quickly sharing information and coordinating responses to food safety risks across the EU, ensuring swift action to protect consumers from potentially harmful euro foodstuff.
Ultimately, the General Food Law Regulation is designed to achieve a high level of protection for human life and health, safeguarding consumers’ interests in relation to food, while simultaneously facilitating the efficient operation of the internal market for euro foodstuff. This comprehensive legal framework underpins the safety and quality of euro foodstuff available to European citizens.
