EU Food Safety, Labelling & Geographical Indications Regulations, EFSA & FIC Acts
Track General Food Law, EFSA opinions, novel food authorisations, Regulation (EU) 2024/1143 on Geographical Indications (PDO/PGI), and Food Information to Consumers (FIC) labelling rules in the OJ L series.
Food Safety, Labelling & Geographical Indications Regulatory Landscape & Compliance Overview
Official IntelligencePolicyIndex indexes real-time gazette notifications, policy orders, tariff determinations, and compliance circulars issued across the Food Safety, Labelling & Geographical Indications sector. Regulatory intelligence is aggregated across central ministries, state regulatory commissions, and statutory authorities.
Statutory Directives
Official Extraordinary Gazettes, S.O. & G.S.R. orders, and executive notifications.
Compliance Mandates
Sector-specific regulatory obligations, licensing norms, and statutory filing guidelines.
Other Verticals in Agriculture, Food & Fisheries
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Official Food Safety, Labelling & Geographical Indications Gazettes & Notifications
Frequently Asked Questions on Food Safety, Labelling & Geographical Indications Regulations
What is the authorization pathway for Novel Foods in the EU?
Under Regulation (EU) 2015/2283, foods without a significant consumption history in the EU before May 1997 require a safety assessment by EFSA and a Commission implementing regulation placing the authorized substance on the Union list of novel foods.
What is the RASFF system and how does it protect EU consumers?
The Rapid Alert System for Food and Feed (RASFF) is a notification network connecting the food safety authorities of all EU/EEA Member States, the Commission, and EFSA. When a member identifies a food, feed, or food contact material posing a serious health risk, it triggers a RASFF alert enabling coordinated market withdrawals, product recalls, and border rejections across the Single Market within hours.
How are Maximum Residue Limits (MRLs) for pesticides set in the EU?
Under Regulation (EC) No 396/2005, the Commission sets MRLs for pesticide residues in food and animal feed based on EFSA scientific risk assessments. MRLs are updated regularly through Commission Regulations amending Annexes II-V, considering good agricultural practice data, toxicological reference values (ADI, ARfD), and monitoring results from the EU Coordinated Control Programme.
What did the 2024 EU Geographical Indications Reform (Regulation 2024/1143) change?
The reform establishes a unified legal framework for wine, spirit drinks, and agricultural products, grants EUIPO operational management of the GI register, strengthens online enforcement against domain name abuse, and introduces sustainability undertakings for producer groups.
What is the proposed EU harmonised front-of-pack nutrition labelling?
The European Commission has proposed a mandatory harmonised front-of-pack nutrition label for pre-packed foods, building on Article 35 of Regulation (EU) No 1169/2011 (FIC). While the exact format (e.g., Nutri-Score or alternative) remains under negotiation, the objective is to help consumers make healthier choices at a glance, complementing mandatory back-of-pack nutrition declarations.
What allergen labelling requirements apply under EU food law?
Regulation (EU) No 1169/2011 (FIC) mandates that 14 major allergens (including gluten, crustaceans, eggs, fish, peanuts, soy, milk, nuts, celery, mustard, sesame, sulphites, lupin, and molluscs) be highlighted in the ingredients list using distinct typographic means (bold, underline, or colour). Non-pre-packed food must also provide allergen information, with Member States determining the format.