On this page we aim to provide helpful food legislation advice and links to relevant documents. Contact us with any questions you may have about current or impending European or UK legislation. There is some useful information contained in the documents below;

Traceability

There is a clearly defined responsibility for traceability in European Regulation 178/2002, contained in Articles 18 (traceability) and 19 (food business responsibilities for product withdrawals and recalls). Click this link to see the Regulation: EU Regulation 178/2002

European Regulation 1830/2003 defines requirements for the traceability of genetically modified organisms in foodstuffs. Article 4 contains details on traceability and labelling requirements. Click here: EU Regulation 1830/2003

Allergen Labeling

Directive 2003/89 amending Directive 2000/13 on the labelling of foods was published on 10 November 2003. This details those substances that are legally defined as allergens and their presence in foods must be clearly labeled to advise consumers. Labeling requirements became fully effective on 25 November 2005.

Directive 2007/68, published on 27 November 2007, contains an amended annex listing the derivatives of allergenic substances that can be considered as non-allergenic. This list of derivatives follows scientific studies and consideration undertaken by the European Food Safety Authority (EFSA).

Click here for a consolidated version of Directive 2000/13 containing all allergen amendments: EU Directive 2000/13 (consolidated text)
Click here for Directive 2003/89: EU Directive 2003/89
Click here for Directive 2007/68: EU Directive 2007/68