EU legislation: General Food Law

If you want to export food products to the EU, you have to take into account that food safety is the most important requirement. The EU has laid down numerous regulations and directives that aim to guarantee that only safe food enters the EU market. The basis of the EU’s food safety legislation is the General Food Law which introduces requirements on ‘safe food’, responsibilities, traceability, labelling and packaging.

This document presents an overview of the General Food Law and gives special attention to important issues for exporters outside the EU, such as traceability and food safety management which might be used as instruments to comply with EU buyers’ requirements.

Furthermore, it provides information on other (supplementary) legislation that together makes up the complete EU food safety legislation.