The Ministry of

Uryadovy Kur'єr reports that the Ministry of Economy of Ukraine has published for public discussion a very important bill, the title of which is very eloquent: "On Amendments to Certain Laws of Ukraine Regarding Food Products and Other Sanitary Measures".

The need for the adoption of this bill, the developers justify as follows: the current legislation on food safety and quality needs to be improved. it is necessary to eliminate the inconsistencies and inconsistencies of the normative acts of Ukraine in this area with the normative acts of the European Union.

The developers of the bill propose amendments to four related bills: “On the basic principles and requirements for food safety and quality”, “On state control over compliance with legislation on food, feed, animal by-products, veterinary medicine and animal welfare”, “ On the basic principles and requirements for organic production, circulation and labeling of organic products”, “On information for consumers regarding food products”. This is done in accordance with the requirements of Regulation No. 2015 / 2283 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 25 November 2015 on innovative food products.

The changes relate to the organization and procedure for the production and circulation of food products, as well as, importantly, the state registration of claims to reduce the risk of diseases due to the use of a certain product. If the bill is passed, the manufacturer will no longer be able to claim on the basis of his own imagination that his product prevents a certain disease - for this he must provide reasonable grounds in accordance with the requirements of Regulation No. 1924 / 2006 of the European Parliament and of the Council of December 20, 2006.

Proper traceability of foodstuffs must finally be ensured in accordance with the requirements of Regulation No. 178 / 2002 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 28 January 2002 laying down the general principles and requirements of food law. The same Regulation establishes procedures for food safety control, Regulation No. 882/2004 establishes procedures for food safety control at the border.

To ensure these requirements, the draft law, in contrast to the current legislation, significantly supplemented the paragraph on the objects of sanitary measures, changed the interpretation of the concept of traceability. Traceability requirements have become much more stringent.

Market operators must provide them at all stages of production and sale of the food product. They are committed to putting in place systems and procedures for obtaining information about operators who supply food, and not only about them. It also provides for obtaining information about animals intended for food production (sounds like fantasy, but in the EU countries this has long been a common practice), or substances included in food products. Such information should be provided at the request of the competent authority.

The law is proposed to be supplemented with rules on claims that are often used to mislead consumers, in particular regarding the HEALTH benefits, nutritional value and other qualities of the proposed product, which in fact it may or may not have. It is suggested that verification of the compliance of such statements with reality be included in the list of sanitary measures - this has not been done before.

For the first time, a clear definition of falsified and imitation food should appear in the law.

For imitation products, special requirements for labeling and sale are established, and liability is provided for violation of these requirements. Such innovations should contribute to the fight against unscrupulous manufacturers and market operators and prevent misleading buyers.

If the draft law is adopted, market operators will be required to obtain an operating permit, which is issued by the territorial divisions of the competent authority. Once authorized, they post in a place accessible to consumers the registration number received with the operating authorization. The presence of such a permit and the inclusion of the market operator in a special register are mandatory.

It is important that a food product that is not suitable for human consumption, but does not pose an immediate threat to human health (has a low risk), is not allowed for sale, it is disposed of by the owner. A product that is not only unfit for consumption, but also poses an immediate health hazard (high risk) must be immediately removed by the owner and disposed of or destroyed under the supervision of a government inspector. That is, in this case, the seller cannot simply say that he destroyed the product, but actually sell it slowly.

It is proposed to introduce a rating of compliance with general hygiene requirements by catering establishments and food retailers. So the consumer, guided by the data of this rating, will be able to make an informed choice, whose services to use.

You can get acquainted with all the provisions of the bill, express your comments and wishes on the website of the Ministry of Economy in the section "Discussion of draft documents".

ukurier.gov.ua, read in full Vladimir Kolyubakin "Food will become safer"