In all Member States and many third countries, the overarching principles concerning food safety and consumer protection are established in national legislation. However, at EU level, food legislation has evolved without some of these basic principles having been established in an overarching legal instrument.

On the 28th of January 2002 the European Parliament and the Council adopted Regulation (EC)178/2002 laying down the General Principles and requirements of Food Law.

The aim of the General Food Law Regulation is to provide a framework to ensure a coherent approach in the development of food legislation. At the same time, it provides the general framework for those areas not covered by specific harmonised rules but where the functioning of the Internal Market is ensured by mutual recognition.

It lays down definitions, principles and obligations covering all stages of food/feed production and distribution.