The impact of labels on the competitiveness of the European food label supply chain

The report studies the impact of private labels on the competitiveness of the European food processing industry and investigates whether a system of producer indication may improve the functioning of the food supply chain. The impact is studied using economic theory and empirical and legal analysis. The study is completed with an impact assessment

From mutual recognition to mutual scientific opinion? Constitutional framework for risk analysis in EU food safety law

Regulation 178/2002 (the so-called General Food Law - GFL) codifies risk analysis as the core principle of the modern food safety policy. This article places the GFL in EU multi-level food safety governance and analyses the impact of risk analysis, the precautionary principle and mechanisms of scientific governance introduced by the GFL on both national and Community legislation. It discusses the case law of the European Courts dealing with scientific evidence and the precautionary principle applied to both European and national food safety measures. The article concludes with some observations on the role of the risk analysis methodology in the Community internal market.Risk analysis Precautionary principle European Union Food safety regulation Food safety policy Internal market EFSA

REGULATORY CHALLENGES OF INNOVATION IN FOOD AND AGRICULTURE MARKET AUTHORIZATION REQUIREMENTS FOR NEW FOODS

Regulatory authorities face the challenge to strike a fair balance between the interests of consumers to ensure the safety of innovative foods and agricultural products and the interest of innovative businesses.Worldwide prior authorization schemes are applied. This contribution explores characteristics, pros and cons of such schemes. It identifies concerns but also best practices that may contribute to improving food safety without unduly hampering innovation

EU regulatory approach to high-pressure processing

This chapter focuses on the application of the Novel Foods Regulation to high-pressure-treated foods. It highlights some other EU requirements applicable to HPP. The chapter first describes the general requirements for foodstuffs set out in the so-called EU General Food Law. We then analyze the provisions of the Novel Foods Regulation applicable to HPP in more detail. The relevant provisions regarding hygiene of high-pressure-treated foodstuffs and their labelling are discussed. Finally, the Directive concerning pressure equipment is presented.</p

Transparency and consumer trust in scientific assessments under European food law

European food law is a newly developing field in which different branches of law come together. The field is however also unmistakably linked with nutritional sciences, in requesting scientific evidence to ensure safety and benefits of foodstuffs. The risk analysis cycle introduced in Regulation (EC) No 178/2002, ensures that scientific information – regarding i.a. the safety of a product – is independently and transparently assessed by risk assessors who are not involved in the final political risk management decision, in which this scientific information is used to allow such a product on the market. The European Food Safety Authority’s mission as assessor is to independently and transparently conduct risk assessments, which are published in scientific opinions. Transparency of both the procedure and of the Authority’s role, key in these assessments, are however two of the shortcomings identified in the evaluation of the Regulation 178/2002 that was conducted recently. In a proposed update of the Regulation, transparency of risk assessment is therefore one of the main aspects to be improved. This originates from the understanding that such improved transparency of the European food safety system will result in increased consumer trust. After shorty reviewing the development of European food law and the proposed adjustments to the framework regulation, this chapter shows that the concept of transparency, mostly understood as increasing the availability of information, requires to be further specified to ensure it actually contributes to consumer trust. The proposed adjustments to the Regulation 178/2002 are expected to increase information availability, whilst improved risk communication strategies might aid in establishing consumer trust. Further specifying the concept of transparency will result in an increased understanding of how to operationalise it and how transparency can contribute to increasing consumer trust