The strategy ensures that food is traceable as it moves from the farm through to table, crossing internal EU borders, so that trade is not held up and the consumers enjoy variety in their food.
High standards apply to food produced inside the EU as well as to food imported.
The EU food strategy has three core elements:
- legislation on the safety of food and animal feed
- valid scientific advice to which decisions are based on,
- enforcement and control measures.
The legislation is comprehensive, covering a wide range from animal feed to food, as well as food hygiene. It also applies the same high standards across the EU.
The general rules for all food and feed are supplemented by special measures in areas where specific consumer protection is required, such, as the use of pesticides, food supplements, pigments, antibiotics or hormones. There are specific standards applied into adding vitamins, metals and similar substances to foods.
The legislation also covers products being in contact with food, such as plastic packaging. Common EU labelling rules enable us to identify ingredients, to which we may be allergic, and understand in a better way what terms like ‘low fat’ and ‘high fibre’ actually mean.
A summary of what the EU does in that area, and for useful links to relevant bodies, laws and documents; can be obtained by exploring the website: http://europa.eu/pol/food/index_en.htm
