Aligning national regulations with international guidelines facilitates trade, reduces barriers, and helps ensure consistent food safety and quality standards across borders. V. KEY COMPONENTS OF EU FOOD LAW – PRACTICES AND REGULATION16 Legislation surrounding food within the EU is dynamic and influenced by numerous factors, including public health needs, environmental considerations, technological advancements, and consumer expectations. The ongoing development of food law aims to create a system that not only guarantees safety and quality but also promotes sustainability17 and supports public health. 1. Food Safety Regulation - The framework regulation (Regulation (EC) nº 178/2002)18 lays down the general principles and requirements of food law; It establishes the European Food Safety Authority (EFSA)19, which provides risk assessments and scientific advice on food safety issues. 2. Hygiene Regulations - A series of hygiene regulations (Regulation (EC) nº 852/200420, Regulation (EC) nº 853/200421, and Regulation (EC) 16 https://eur-lex.europa.eu/summary/chapter/30.html - European Union (EU) food safety policy is mainly governed by Articles 168 (public health) and 169 (consumer protection) of the Treaty on the Functioning of the European Union. The EU’s food safety policy aims to protect consumers, while guaranteeing the smooth operation of the single market. EU legislation covers the entire food chain — ‘from farm to fork’ — in an integrated way and applying a ‘one health’ approach. 17 https://competition-policy.ec.europa.eu/sectors/agriculture/legislation_en - EU competition rules apply to all food products at all levels of the food supply chain, from the production of raw agricultural products to grocery retail. 18 https://eur-lex.europa.eu/eli/reg/2002/178/oj/eng - Regulation (EC) No 178/2002 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 28 January 2002 laying down the general principles and requirements of food law, establishing the European Food Safety Authority and laying down procedures in matters of food safety. 19 https://www.efsa.europa.eu/en - Safe2Eat 2025 campaign: boosting consumer confidence in EU food safety EFSA and its partners across Europe are back with Safe2Eat 2025, expanding its reach and deepening engagement with citizens. 20 https://eur-lex.europa.eu/eli/reg/2004/852/oj/eng - In addition to this common basis, specific hygiene rules are necessary for certain foodstuffs. Regulation (EC) No /2004 of the European Parliament and of the Council of ... laying down specific hygiene rules for food of animal origin lays down these rules. The principal objective of the new general and specific hygiene rules is to ensure a high level of consumer protection with regard to food safety. 21 https://eur-lex.europa.eu/eli/reg/2004/853/oj/eng - Regulation (EC) No 853/2004 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 29 April 2004 laying down specific hygiene rules for food of animal origin. 150 ANA BRANCA SOEIRO DE CARVALHO | SUSANA MSR FONSECA | ANA GUIA | CARLOS LOPES
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