EU General Food Law

The EU General Food Law and food hygiene legislation

The Labelling Directive is the only piece of EU legislation that specifically refers to allergenic foods. However, the General Food Law (Regulation (EC) No 178/2002) imposes general obligations to provide safe food. And according to Regulation (EC) No 852/2004 on the hygiene of foodstuffs, food businesses are required to implement procedures to prevent unsafe foods.

Under these laws food manufacturers, caterers and other businesses in the food chain are responsible for and obliged to:

• Provide safe foods
• Implement procedures to prevent unsafe foods
• Be able to trace their food one step back and one step forward
• Withdraw and recall unsafe foods
• Cooperate with competent authorities