The General Principles of Food Law in the European Union and The European Food Safety Authority

Nutrition Division

The General Principles of Food Law in the European Union and The European Food Safety Authority

Conference Room Document proposed by the European Community

Year of publication 2002

Author Nutrition Division

Product type Meeting

Edition 1

Full item page

Synopsis (short abstract) European food legislation has evolved over the last forty years reflecting a blend of scientific, societal, political and economic forces. Over this period, food legislation has had different policy objectives linked to the Common Agricultural Policy or the development of the Internal Market. Although inextricably linked with the establishment and maintenance of a high level of protection of human health, safety and of consumer protection, food law at the European level was characterised with so me divergence in approach, some inconsistencies and even some lacunae. One of the key objectives therefore of the new Regulation is to establish common definitions, including a definition of food, and to lay down the overarching guiding principles and legitimate objectives for food law in order to ensure a high level of health protection. In contrast to the relatively recent development of food law at Community level, national "food acts" have a longer history. The Regulation harmonises at Community level existing national requirements, placing them in the European context.

Meeting symbol GF CRD EC-1

Language English

Related items

Showing items related by metadata.

Meeting

The role and function of the food and veterinary office of the European Commission
Conference Room Document proposed by the European Community
2002

Also available in:

No results found.

The Control Function, The Role of the FVO, The Activities of the FVO, The Future Framework for FVO, Activities, The Benefits of the new approach
Meeting

General Principles of Food Law in the European Union 2002

Also available in:

No results found.

On 21st January 2002 the EU Council of Ministers agreed the last steps towards the adoption of a Parliament and Council Regulation setting up the European Food Safety Authority (EFSA) and laying down a new framework for Food Safety in the European Union. The new Regulation, which will be published in the Official Journal of the European Communities in early February also establishes the over-arching principles, definitions and requirements on which all future food law in Europe will be based.
Meeting

Rapid Alert System for Food in the European Union and its Possible Extension to Other Countries or Organisations
Conference Room Document proposed by the European Community
2002

Also available in:

No results found.

The globalisation of trade in foodstuffs is accelerating as tariff and non-tariff barriers are removed. It is particulary the case in the European Union where the creation of a single market has allowed food to circulate freely throughout the fifteen Member States. The abolition of health controls within the Community's internal borders has given rise to a need for instruments to deal with situations where dangerous products could circulate without any controls. The creation of a rapid alert sys tem is one of these instruments.