EU Regulation (EC) No 178/2002 - General Food Law

What it says

The General Food Law sets the general principles of EU food law, establishes the European Food Safety Authority and sets out food business operators' responsibilities, including that unsafe food must not be placed on the market, that operators must be able to trace food and its ingredients one step back and one step forward, and that they must withdraw and, where needed, recall food they consider is not in compliance with food safety requirements and inform the authorities.

Paraphrased for plain-language clarity. Always verify against the current published regulation text.

What it means in practice

• It is the foundation on which the more detailed EU hygiene rules, including Regulation 852/2004, are built.
• The one step back, one step forward traceability expectation requires records of suppliers and customers for each business.
• The Rapid Alert System for Food and Feed supports quick exchange of information between authorities.

What inspectors look for

• Whether the operator can identify its suppliers and customers for any product.
• Whether procedures exist to withdraw or recall unsafe food and notify the authorities.
• Whether the operator has assessed that food placed on the market is safe.

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