EU Regulations on Chemicals in Foods

Abstract

The use of chemicals in the modern society is well known. With specific reference to food productions, plant protection products and veterinary medicines are pharmacologically active substances used to fight pests and animal diseases. Food additives prolong the shelf life of foodstuffs; colours and flavourings make foods more attractive than usual. The safety and the hygiene of food products are assured by containers that are constituted of chemical substances such as plastics, metals, glass or paper. On the other hand, a number of chemicals are present in the environment as pollutants; these contaminants may be unintentionally present in raw materials used for the production and the distribution of foods. At the same time, chemicals may damage the human health, the animal or plant safety and the environment. As a consequence, the detection of harmful-or questionable-chemicals in foods and feeds has to be considered a matter of public health. Modern regulatory patterns are based on the prevention and the management of risks: food laws in the European Union share the same ratio. This Chapter is mainly focused on food-related legislations and regulations with reference to the intentional use and the accidental detection of regulated substances in foodstuffs within the EU boundaries. In addition, a Section about chemical hazards and the crisis management in the European Union is available. Keywords European union · European food safety authority · Food additive · Food business operator · General food law · Heavy metal · Maximum level · Maximum residue limit · Mycotoxin 2.1 EU Regulations on Chemicals in Foods. General Overview The use of chemicals in food processing is long standing. Plant protection products and veterinary medicines are pharmacologically active substances used to fight pests and animal diseases. Food additives prolong the shelf life of