The General Food Law Regulation is the foundation of food and feed law. It sets out an overarching and coherent framework for the development of food and feed legislation both at Union and national levels. 

To this end, it lays down general principles, requirements and procedures that underpin decision making in matters of food and feed safety, covering all stages of food and feed production and distribution.

It also sets up an independent agency responsible for scientific advice and support, the European Food Safety Authority (EFSA).

Moreover, it creates the main procedures and tools for the management of emergencies and crises as well as the Rapid Alert System for Food and Feed (RASFF).

The General Food Law Regulation ensures a high level of protection of human life and consumers' interests in relation to food, while ensuring the effective functioning of the internal market.

Further information:

• Performance Evaluation of European Food Safety Authority

• Expert group on General Food Law and sustainability of food systems

• Fitness check of General Food Law

• Food law general principles

• Food law general requirements

• Food law procedures

• Implementation of the Transparency Regulation

• Questions & Answers - Transparency Regulation

• Training and support

• Transparency and sustainability of the EU risk assessment in the food chain

Related regulations:

• Regulation (EC) No 178/2002 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.

• Regulation (EU) 2019/1381 on the transparency and sustainability of the EU risk assessment in the food chain.