Italy

In all EU Member States, principles regarding food safety and consumer protection are established in national legislation. The aim of the General Food Law Regulation is to provide a framework to ensure an equal approach in development of food laws in the countries. At the same time, it provides safety for those areas that don’t have their own legislations regarding this subject.

 

General objectives

The food law establishes the right of consumers to safe food and honest information. It also aims at ensuring a high level of protection of human life and health. Protection of animal health and welfare, plant health and the environment, are taken into account as well. This integrated "farm to fork" approach is a general principle for EU food safety policy.

 

Risk analysis

The Regulation establishes the principles of risk analysis in relation to food. Food safety must be based on science. Regulation EC 178/2002 establishes that the three inter-related components of risk analysis (risk assessment, risk management and risk communication) provide the basis for food law. Scientific assessment of risk must be undertaken in an independent, objective and transparent manner and the best available science must be used.

 

Risk management is the process of weighing alternatives in the case of an actual problem. It selects the most appropriate action to prevent, reduce or eliminate the risk. This way, the level of health protection stays high.

 

Transparency

The primary goal of food policy is the confidence of the consumer. Transparency and public consultation are essential elements to build this confidence. Communication about food safety includes full honesty about potential risks and scientific information.

 

Interest in food safety and protection of consumers is increasing in the general public, non-governmental organizations and trading partners. Therefore, the Regulation has established a framework for all stakeholders at all stages in the development of food.

 

A group of experts also made a guidance document wich contains explanation about the main requirements. The main requirements are traceability of feed and feed products, responsibility of operators, withdrawal of unsafe food or feed and notification to the right authorities. This guidance document is created to assist all stakeholders in the food chain, in having a better understanding of the Regulation.

 

Traceability

Regulation EC/178/2002 defines traceability as ‘the ability to trace and follow food, feed, and ingredients through all stages of production, processing and distribution’.

The identification of the origin of feed and food ingredients and food sources is of prime importance for the protection of consumers. Traceability facilitates the withdrawal of foods and enables consumers to be provided with accurate information concerning implicated products. Importers are similarly affected as they will be required to identify from whom the product was exported in the country of origin.

 

Responsibility

The Regulation establishes the basic principle that the primary responsibility for ensuring compliance with food law, and in particular the safety of the food, rests with the food business.

 

Crisis management

Regulation EC/178/2002 provides a general plan for food/feed crisis management and the creation of a crisis unit. This crisis unit will be set up in case of a direct or indirect risk to human health deriving from food and feed. The crisis unit will be responsible for collecting and evaluating all relevant information and identifying the options available to prevent, eliminate or reduce the risk. The crisis unit will keep the public informed of the risks involved and the measures taken.

 

References:

http://ec.europa.eu/food/food/foodlaw/future_en.htm

http://ec.europa.eu/food/food/foodlaw/guidance/docs/guidance_rev_8_en.pdf