Frequently asked questions about Foods
From when must allergens be declared as an ingredient on pre-packaged food?
According to Regulation (EU) 1169/2011, substances that cause allergies or intolerances must be indicated on pre-packaged foods. The threshold levels listed below, which are also used by official surveillance…
Are wheat proteins and peanut oils allowed to be used in cosmetics?
Allergies to wheat and peanuts are generally known in food products. However, skin contact with these substances can also lead to the development of corresponding allergies. For this reason, the EU has regulated the use…
DoIneedtoprovideanutritionallabel?
According to Article 9 (1) (l) in connection with Article 55 of Regulation (EU) No 1169/2011 (FIC), a nutrition declaration has been mandatory on pre-packaged foods since 13.12.2016. Exempt from the mandatory nutrition…
Do allergens also have to be identified in loose goods?
Yes, the obligation to indicate allergens as per Annex II of Regulation (EU) No. 1169/2011 (FIC) also applies to non-prepacked foods. The German legislator has regulated additional national provisions for allergen…
Do you have questions about the new EU Control Regulation No. 2017/625?
The EU Commission has published 36 questions and answers regarding the aforementioned regulation. These provide a good overview of interesting issues. Further information can be found at: ec.europa.eu
Why are stress or challenge tests with Listeria monocytogenes necessary?
These tests provide a statement about whether Listeria monocytogenes can multiply in the food. This statement is very important for manufacturers of ready-to-eat, perishable foods for two reasons: As part of their duty…
What does the Best Before Date (BBD) mean?
The best-before date of a food product is defined in Regulation (EU) No. 1169/2011 (Food Information Regulation, FIR) as the date until which the food retains its specific properties under proper storage conditions. The…
What should be considered when conducting stress or challenge tests with Listeria monocytogenes?
A technical guideline (EURL Lm TECHNICAL GUIDANCE DOCUMENT for conducting shelf-life studies on Listeria monocytogenes in ready-to-eat foods) was published by the EU Commission, which describes the procedure for…
What is the RASFF?
The abbreviation stands for "Rapid Alert System for Food and Feed". It is an EU-wide rapid alert system for food, feed, and consumer goods of the European Commission. The RASFF was launched in 1979 and enables the…
What is ALS?
The abbreviation stands for "Arbeitskreis Lebensmittelchemischer Sachverständiger der Länder und des Bundesamtes für Verbraucherschutz und Lebensmittelsicherheit," which translates to "Working Group of Food Chemistry…
What is the ALTS?
The ALTS is a panel of experts at the federal-state level. The abbreviation stands for “Working Group of Experts on Food Hygiene and Food of Animal Origin.” The panel consists of representatives from official testing…
What is a "primary ingredient" within the meaning of the FIR?
The "primary ingredient" of a food product is the ingredient that makes up more than 50% of the food product or the one that is usually associated by the consumer with the name of the food product and for which a…
What is loose goods?
The term refers to non-prepackaged foods. This particularly includes foods that are sold loose, as well as foods that are packaged at the consumer's request at the point of sale and those that are sold immediately after…
What are stress or challenge tests with Listeria monocytogenes?
In these tests, the food product is contaminated with specific bacteria. In this case, it is conducted with various strains of Listeria monocytogenes. Subsequently, the product is stored over its shelf life under real…
What are the guidelines of the German Food Code?
Guidelines are drawn up by the German Food Code Commission. The guidelines include generally understandable designations for products as well as descriptions of their production, condition, and other characteristics.…
What is meant by the term mineral oil in food and how can these components enter food?
Mineral oils in food consist of saturated and aromatic hydrocarbons. The saturated hydrocarbons are abbreviated as MOSH ("mineral oil saturated hydrocarbons") and the aromatic hydrocarbons are abbreviated as MOAH…
What is the significance of lactic acid bacteria in food?
Lactic acid bacteria represent a group of several genera that can ferment sugar into lactic acid. These include Lactococcus, Streptococcus, Leuconostoc, and Lactobacillus. They can be specifically used in food…
What is the significance of histamine in food?
Bacteria can produce histamine during storage or spoilage in fish and fish products. Consuming highly contaminated foods can cause poisoning in humans. Symptoms include nausea, headaches, dizziness, and skin redness.…
What regulations are there for nutritional labeling?
Regulation (EU) No 1169/2011 (Food Information Regulation, FIR) mandates mandatory nutrition declaration for pre-packaged foods. The key provisions are outlined in Chapter IV, Section 3 of the FIR.
How are microbiological test results of food assessed?
In Germany and the EU, microbiological criteria (limits) for certain foods are established in Regulation (EC) No. 2073/2005. Additionally, there are also DGHM recommendations for many food groups, which are available…
How should cooked cured poultry products be labeled?
Since 2007, ALTS and DLG have been addressing traffic perceptions regarding composition, characteristics, labeling, and size regulations of cooked ham and processed poultry products. For the latter, designations like…
How should additives be indicated in the list of ingredients?
Food additives must be indicated in the list of ingredients on pre-packaged food with the corresponding class designation according to Annex VII Part C of Regulation (EU) No. 1169/2011 (FIC). This should be followed by…
How to check the shelf life of food products?
Especially for perishable food, a storage test until the end of the best before date (BBD test) is recommended. During this test, the food is stored at the intended storage temperature. At the end of the shelf life, at…
Where is the labeling of food regulated?
Regulation (EC) No. 1169/2011 generally governs all information provided to the end consumer about a food product. In addition, the German Regulation on Prepacked Goods and the Lot Identification Regulation apply. For…