PDF Header
Fachthema Allgemeines Lebensmittelrecht, Lebensmittelsicherheit und -hygiene fading v4

Genaral food law, food safety and hygiene

This topic includes product-specific information on the following product groups:

All food

Fact sheets

When is a food not safe?

Switzerland Food may only be placed on the market if it is safe. If unsafe food is already on the market, the products must be withdrawn or recalled. Food is considered unsafe if it can be assumed...

fact sheet
CH

When is a food not safe?

European Union Foodstuffs that are not safe may not be placed on the market in accordance with Regulation (EC) No. 178/2002 (Basic Regulation). The Basic Regulation states that a food is not safe if...

fact sheet
EU DE AT

No results.

Articles

ALTS resolutions in the field of food hygiene

The statements of the working group of experts active in the field of food hygiene and food of animal origin (ALTS) serve as an aid in the interpretation and application of food law. At the 97th...

Infoletter
DE

Draft for amendment of the regulation on microbiological criteria in relation to cereulide published

Regulation (EC) No 2073/2005 lays down microbiological criteria for foodstuffs, including, among others, food safety criteria. Between December 2025 and May 2026, the detection of cereulide in infant...

(Legal) draft
EU

New drafts for microbiological guideline and warning values of the DGHM published

The specialist group for food microbiology and hygiene of the German Society for Hygiene and Microbiology (DGHM) prepared draft guideline and warning values for the following product groups in May...

(Legal) draft
DE

Revised microbiological guideline and warning values of the DGHM published

The specialist group for food microbiology and hygiene of the German Society for Hygiene and Microbiology (DGHM) revised its microbiological guideline and warning values for the assessment of foods in...

Infoletter
DE

Planned amendment to the Kreislaufwirtschaftsgesetzes (Circular Economy Act) regarding the reduction of municipal and food waste

In the referenced article, we reported on the amendment of the EU Waste Framework Directive. By 17 June 2027, the goals for reducing food waste set out in the directive must be transposed into...

(Legal) draft
DE

Amendment of the Food Safety and Consumer Protection Act (LMSVG)

The Food Safety and Consumer Protection Act (LMSVG) regulates the requirements for food, water for human consumption, articles of daily use and cosmetic products, and the associated responsibility of...

Infoletter
AT

Statements of the ALS in the field of general food law

The statements of the Working Group of Food Chemistry Experts of the Federal States and the Federal Office of Consumer Protection and Food Safety (ALS) serve as guidance for the interpretation and...

Infoletter
DE

Amendment of the directive on deadlines and storage conditions for the retention of “counter samples for the manufacturer”

Alongside the Austrian Food Codex, the Codex Commission also publishes various guidelines, directives and recommendations. The directive on time limits and storage conditions for the retention of...

Infoletter
AT

New version of the recommendation "Operational Salmonella management"

In addition to the Austrian Food Code, the Codex Commission also publishes various guidelines, directives and recommendations. The recommendation “Operational Salmonella Management” has now been...

Infoletter
AT

Draft law on reducing bureaucracy – repeal of LFGB notification obligations and extension of the training interval for plant protection expertise

The German Food and Feed Code (LFGB) contains various notification obligations that can be traced back to food scandals such as the rotten meat scandals or dioxin scandals. These national notification...

(Legal) draft
DE

Amendment to the Food Safety and Consumer Protection Act (LMSVG) planned

The Food Safety and Consumer Protection Act (LMSVG) regulates the requirements for food, water intended for human consumption, consumer goods, and cosmetic products, as well as the associated...

(Legal) draft
AT

AFFL statement on the categorisation of teewurst in category 1.3 according to the regulation on microbiological criteria

The working group on meat and poultry meat hygiene and specific questions concerning food of animal origin (AFFL) is a working group of the Länderarbeitsgemeinschaft Verbraucherschutz (LAV), the...

Infoletter
DE

CJEU judgment on food hygiene regarding signs of pests

Facts of the case During multiple official inspections between 2020 and 2022, violations of European hygiene regulations were identified in six branches and warehouses of a food retailer in Belgium...

Infoletter
EU

Revised microbiological guideline and warning values of the DGHM published

The specialist group for food microbiology and hygiene of the German Society for Hygiene and Microbiology (DGHM) revised its microbiological guideline and warning values for the assessment of food in...

Infoletter
DE

Transition period for the food safety criterion L. monocytogenes is ending soon

In the referenced article below, we provided information about the change in food safety criteria regarding Listeria monocytogenes for ready-to-eat foods that may promote the growth of L...

Reminder
EU

The transitional period for the production and distribution of food under the previous law with regard to L. monocytogenes is about to end

In the article referenced below, we informed you about the change in food safety criteria regarding L. monocytogenes in ready-to-eat foods. From July 1, 2026, the limit "Not detectable in 25 g"...

Reminder
CH

Hygiene guidelines for commercial kitchens revised

The Austrian Food Codex (Codex Alimentarius Austriacus) serves as a publication for designations, definitions, testing methods, and assessment principles, as well as guidelines for the manufacturing...

Infoletter
AT

ALS statement on the classification of products

The statements of the Working Group of Food Chemistry Experts from the federal states and the Federal Office of Consumer Protection and Food Safety (ALS) serve as guidance for the interpretation and...

Infoletter
DE

EU guideline on Listeria monocytogenes and shelf-life studies updated

Listeria monocytogenes (Lm) is a bacterium that can cause serious illnesses in humans. An infection (listeriosis) is usually triggered by the consumption of contaminated food. There is no absolute...

Infoletter
EU

Revised Federal Food Code now available for free use

The Federal Food Key (BLS) is Germany's national nutrient database and has been completely revised and adapted to current dietary habits as well as market developments. The BLS 4.0 has been expanded...

Infoletter
DE

Judgement of the ECJ on products for the disinfection of foodstuffs

The ECJ has issued a judgment in Case C-473/24 concerning a request for a preliminary ruling from the German Federal Court of Justice (Bundesgerichtshof). The central issue was the classification of...

Infoletter
EU

Information letter from the BLV regarding the distribution of food past the best-before date (BBD) and freezing before the expiry of the use-by date (UBD)

In Switzerland, food waste is to be halved by 2030. To this end, the information bulletin 2021/9.1 has now been revised and replaced by the information bulletin 2025/4. The title of the information...

Infoletter
CH

EFSA Guidance on the characterisation of microorganisms in support of the risk assessment of products used in the food chain

In the food chain, products are used that contain microorganisms or are manufactured/derived from microorganisms. Before being placed on the European market, these products undergo an authorisation...

Infoletter
EU

Amendment to Regulation (EC) No. 853/2004 on specific hygiene rules for food of animal origin published

The Regulation (EC) No. 853/2004 contains specific hygiene provisions for food of animal origin to be adhered to by food business operators. Regulation (EU) 2025/1449 amends Annex III of Regulation...

Infoletter
EU

Amendment to the Waste Framework Directive regarding food

The EU Waste Framework Directive addresses the proper handling of waste within the EU. To reduce waste generation, optimise separate collection, and increase reuse, an amendment to the Waste Framework...

Infoletter
EU

ALTS decisions from the 95th working meeting regarding risk assessment of allergen content and food hygiene

The statements of the working group of experts specialising in the fields of food hygiene and foods of animal origin (ALTS) serve as guidance for the interpretation and application of food law. At the...

Infoletter
DE

New Drafts for Microbiological Guideline and Warning Values Published

The Food Microbiology and Hygiene Section of the German Society for Hygiene and Microbiology (DGHM) drafted proposals for guideline and alert values for the following product groups in July 2025: Raw...

(Legal) draft
DE

Revised microbiological guideline and warning values of the DGHM for cooked and dried products published

The Food Microbiology and Hygiene Working Group of the German Society for Hygiene and Microbiology (DGHM) revised its 2025 microbiological guideline and warning values for the assessment of cooked and...

Infoletter
DE

Amendment to the Codex chapter on case law for goods under the LMSVG

inciples of assessment as well as guidelines for the manufacture and placing on the market of goods. Codex Section A1 "Case Law" provides an overview of case law in the field of foodstuffs, cosmetics...

Infoletter
AT

Recommendation on operational listeria management and leaflet on listeria monitoring published

The Austrian Foodstuffs Code (Codex Alimentarius Austriacus) lays down designations, definitions, methods of investigation and principles of assessment as well as guidelines for the manufacture and...

Infoletter
AT

Change in food safety criteria regarding L. monocytogenes for ready-to-eat foods

The Hygiene Ordinance includes general hygiene regulations for handling food and contains microbiological criteria applicable to food. In order to harmonise with the legal provisions of the European...

Infoletter
CH

Opinions of the ALS in the area of general food law

Opinions of the Working Group of Food Chemistry Experts of the German states and the German Federal Office for Consumer Protection and Food Safety (ALS) serve as guidance for the interpretation and...

Infoletter
DE

Draft amendment to Regulation (EC) No 853/2004 laying down health rules for animal products published

Regulation (EC) No. 853/2004 contains specific hygiene requirements for food of animal origin to be adhered to by food business operators. Among other things, the new draft provides for an amendment...

(Legal) draft
EU

ALTS resolutions of the 94th Workshop on risk assessment of allergen levels and food hygiene

The opinions of the working group comprising experts in the field of food hygiene and foodstuffs of animal origin (the ALTS) serve as guidance for the interpretation and application of foodstuffs...

Infoletter
DE

Revised DGHM microbiological guide values and warning values published

In November 2024, the foodstuffs microbiology and hygiene specialised group of the German Society for Hygiene and Microbiology (DGHM) revised its microbiological guide values and warning values for...

Infoletter
DE

Guide to informing the public about food that is hazardous to health

The German Federal State Working Group for Consumer Protection (LAV) has updated its guidelines on informing the public about foods that are hazardous to health. If a potentially harmful foodstuff...

Infoletter
DE

Transitional period for food labelled under the old regulations ends soon

In the article referenced below, we reported on the amendment of the allergen specifications with regard to emulsifiers produced with behenic acid from mustard seeds. Behenic acid with a purity of at...

Reminder
EU

Amendment to the Codex chapter B 1 - Drinking water

The Austrian Foodstuffs Code (Codex Alimentarius Austriacus) lays down designations, definitions, methods of investigation and principles of assessment aswell as guidelines for themanufacture and...

Infoletter
AT

Decisions of the ALTS in the area of general food law and food hygiene

The decisions of the working group comprising experts in the field of food hygiene and foodstuffs of animal origin (the ALTS) serve as guidance for the interpretation and application of foodstuffs...

Infoletter
DE

Traceability of food: Guidelines for implementation revised

The "Recommendation on the implementation of food traceability requirements", a joint federal and state government document, has been revised and can also be viewed or downloaded on the website of the...

Infoletter
DE

Change in food safety criteria regarding L. monocytogenes for ready-to-eat foods

Regulation (EC) No. 2073/2005 lays down the microbiological criteria for foodstuffs, including food safety criteria. The food safety criteria to be complied with also include limits for the human...

Infoletter
EU

Transitional period under the Regulation on Food Information ends soon

As part of Stretto 4, the Regulation on Food Information (LIV) was also amended. We reported on the amendments in the referenced article below. According to this, food may continue to be produced...

Reminder
CH

Transitional period under the Regulation on Hygiene in the Handling of Foodstuffs ends soon

As part of Stretto 4, the Regulation on Hygiene in the Handling of Foodstuffs (HyV) was also amended. We reported on the amendments in the referenced article below. According to this, food may...

Reminder
CH

Transitional period under the Foodstuffs and Utility Articles Regulation ends soon

The Foodstuffs and Utility Articles Regulation (LGV) was also amended as part of Stretto 4. This means that food and consumer goods may still be produced, imported and labelled in accordance with the...

Reminder
CH

Revised DGHM microbiological guide values and warning values for smoked salmon published

In 2024, the foodstuffs microbiology and hygiene specialised group of the German Society for Hygiene and Microbiology (DGHM) revised its microbiological guide values and warning values for the...

Infoletter
DE

New draft for microbiological guide and warning values for raw sausages in the retail trade

In April 2024, the foodstuffs microbiology and hygiene specialised group of the German Society for Hygiene and Microbiology (DGHM) developed drafts for guide values and warning values for raw sausages...

(Legal) draft
DE

Extension of the Food Act to include Art. 14a Alcohol test purchases

The Swiss Food Act (LMG) serves to protect the health of consumers and to ensure the hygienic handling of food. In addition, protection against deception in relation to food and consumer goods is...

Infoletter
CH

Date of application of the requirements for the storage of dried meat

In the referenced article, we provided information about an amendment to Regulation (EC) No. 853/2004, which contains specific hygiene regulations for food of animal origin. For example, requirements...

Reminder
EU

Recommendations for action on the legal situation regarding food donations published

The German Federal Ministry of Food and Agriculture (BMEL) has published a legal opinion entitled "Identification, evaluation and recommendations for action on legal barriers to the prevention of food...

Infoletter
DE

Amendment to the "Animal Food Hygiene Regulation"

The Animal Food Hygiene Regulation (TierLMHV) regulates the production and placing on the market of certain foods of animal origin. This amendment harmonises the TierLMHV with the amendment to the...

Infoletter
DE

Amendment to the hygiene regulations for food of animal origin

Regulation (EC) No. 853/2004 contains specific hygiene requirements for food of animal origin to be adhered to by food business operators. Annex II of the regulation contains rules for several...

Infoletter
EU

Plans to refine food safety criteria regarding the presence of Listeria monocytogenes in ready-to-eat foods

Regulation (EC) No. 2073/2005 lays down the microbiological criteria for foodstuffs, including food safety criteria. For Listeria monocytogenes, limit values are prescribed for various ready-to-eat...

(Legal) draft
EU

ALTS decision on food hygiene

The opinions of the working group comprising experts in the field of food hygiene and foodstuffs of animal origin (ALTS) serve as guidance for the interpretation and application of foodstuffs...

Infoletter
DE

Revised DGHM microbiological guide values and warning values published

In November 2023, the foodstuffs microbiology and hygiene specialised group of the German Society for Hygiene and Microbiology (DGHM) revised its microbiological guide values and warning values for...

Infoletter
DE

New draft for microbiological guide and warning values

In November 2023, the foodstuffs microbiology and hygiene specialised group of the German Society for Hygiene and Microbiology (DGHM) developed drafts for guide values and warning values for cold...

(Legal) draft
DE

Amendment to the Foodstuffs Safety and Consumer Protection Act

With the 171st Federal Law, the Food Safety and Consumer Protection Act (LMSVG) will be amended by the new federal law. The amendments relate to procedures and provisions for official controls and...

Infoletter
AT

Amendment to the Directive on food handling hygiene

As part of the revision of the food law package (Stretto 4), 25 regulations will be amended. The revision is intended to strengthen health and fraud protection, implement several motions and harmonise...

Infoletter
CH

Amendment to the Food and Commodities Regulation

As part of the revision of the food law package (Stretto 4), 25 regulations will be amended. The revision is intended to strengthen health and fraud protection, implement several motions and harmonise...

Infoletter
CH

Amendment to Codex Section A 3 General principles of assessment

The Austrian Foodstuffs Code (Codex Alimentarius Austriacus) lays down designations, definitions, methods of investigation and principles of assessment as well as guidelines for placing goods on the...

Infoletter
AT

Amendment to Codex Section A1 Case Law

The Austrian Foodstuffs Code (Codex Alimentarius Austriacus) lays down and specifies designations, definitions, methods of investigation and principles of assessment as well as guidelines for placing...

Infoletter
AT

Entwurf für eine Änderung der Definition von technisch hergestelltem Nanomaterial

Translation coming soon. Die Verordnung (EU) 2015/2283 regelt die Vorgaben für neuartige Lebensmittel. Die Verordnung enthält auch eine Definition des Begriffs "technisch hergestelltes Nanomaterial"...

(Legal) draft
EU

Revised DGHM microbiological guide values and warning values published

In May 2023, the foodstuffs microbiology and hygiene specialised group of the German Society for Hygiene and Microbiology (DGHM) revised its microbiological guide values and warning values for the...

Infoletter
DE

New draft for microbiological guide and warning values

In May 2023, the foodstuffs microbiology and hygiene specialised group of the German Society for Hygiene and Microbiology (DGHM) developed and revised drafts for guide values and warning values for...

(Legal) draft
DE

Food Defence checklist

In addition to other aspects, such as food fraud or food safety, food protection must also include the aspect of food product protection (food defence). This refers to protection against deliberate...

Infoletter
DE

Revision of the EU Waste Framework Directive

The EU Waste Framework Directive deals with the proper management of waste in the EU. In order to reduce waste generation, improve separate collection and increase reuse, a draft revision of the Waste...

(Legal) draft
EU

Amendment of the Waste Management Act with regard to the prevention of food waste

The 66th Federal Act amended the Waste Management Act 2002. A section on "Transparency on the prevention of food waste" was added in Section 11a. Food retailers with a sales area of more than 400...

Infoletter
AT

Guideline for the sale of food in the event of a blackout

In order to ensure food safety in the event of a blackout, the Federal Ministry of Social Affairs, Health, Care and Consumer Protection has issued a guideline dealing with the sale of frozen food and...

Infoletter
AT

Guidance on the implementation of the Commission Recommendation on the definition of nanomaterial

The European Commission published a recommendation on the revised definition of nanomaterials in June 2022. Now, the Joint Research Centre (JRC) of the European Commission has published guidance on...

Infoletter
EU

Planned amendment to the Hygiene Regulation requirements for food of animal origin

Regulation (EC) No 853/2004 contains specific hygiene requirements for food of animal origin to be adhered to by food business operators. Based on new scientific knowledge, Annexes II and III are now...

(Legal) draft
EU

Transitional period for certain recycled materials and objects intended to come into contact with food expires soon

We reported on the new version of the Regulation on recycled plastic for food contact materials in referenced article. This defines requirements for the development of new technologies and for...

Reminder
EU

ALS opinions regarding allergens in manufacturing operations

Opinion of the Working Group of Food Chemistry Experts of the states and the Federal Office for Consumer Protection and Food Safety (ALS) serve as guidance for the interpretation and application of...

Infoletter
DE

Revised DGHM microbiological guide values and warning values published

In November 2022, the foodstuffs microbiology and hygiene specialised group of the German Society for Hygiene and Microbiology (DGHM) revised its microbiological guide values and warning values for...

Infoletter
DE

Regulation on the minimum requirements for water reuse enters into force soon

We reported on the Regulation on the minimum requirements for water reuse which should be used in agriculture in the article referenced below. In addition to minimum water quality requirements, it...

Reminder
EU

Draft for the adaptation of the Animal Food Hygiene Regulation

In the article referenced below, we reported on the amendment of Regulation (EC) No 853/2004 with regard to, among other things, the extension of the sales period for eggs from 21 to 28 days after...

(Legal) draft
DE

Paper on allergen management and information flow in supply chains

Food Drink Europe (FDE) published a paper on the topic of allergen management and the information flow in supply chains. Allergen management requires a comprehensive preventive approach along the...

Infoletter
EU

Guidance on the hygienic handling of reusable containers published

The Federal Ministry for Health and Consumer Protection has published guidance for the handling of containers provided by customers for refilling. This shows that filling customer's containers is...

Infoletter
AT

Änderung der Leitlinie Schankanlagen

The Austrian Foodstuffs Code (Codex Alimentarius Austriacus) lays down designations, definitions, methods of investigation and principles of assessment as well as guidelines for the manufacture and...

Infoletter
AT

Change to the hygiene requirements of food of animal origin

Regulation (EC) No 853/2004 governs specific hygiene requirements for food of animal origin. This Regulation will be amended. The change will result in the selling period for eggs being amended and...

Infoletter
EU

Decisions of the ALTS on food hygiene and microbiology

The decisions of the working group comprising experts in the field of food hygiene and foodstuffs of animal origin (the ALTS) serve as guidance for the interpretation and application of foodstuffs...

Infoletter
DE

CJEU judgment on the application of the zero tolerance limit of Listeria monocytogenes of foods placed on the market

The microbial requirements for food are defined in Regulation (EC) No 2073/2005. Limits for Listeria monocytogenes in food that may benefit the growth of Listeria monocytogenes and are not intended...

Infoletter
EU

Amendment to the regulation on traceability according to the LFGB will enter into force soon

We informed you about the fourth law for the amendment of the Food and Feed Code (LFGB) with the article referenced below. An amendment related, among other things, to the revised obligation to...

Reminder
DE

New and revised DGHM microbiological guide values and warning values published

In May 2022, the foodstuffs microbiology and hygiene specialized group of the German Society for Hygiene and Microbiology (DGHM) revised its microbiological guide values and warning values for the...

Infoletter
DE

Update to the recommendation on challenge tests relating to Listeria monocytogenes

The recommendation for challenge tests and/or storage tests for the objectified safeguarding of shelf life requirements in accordance with Regulation (EC) No 2073/2005 regarding Listeria monocytogenes...

Infoletter
AT

Definition of nanomaterials revised

The European Commission published a recommendation on the definition of nanomaterials in October 2011. The recommendation proposed a subsequent review of the definition on taking scientific...

Infoletter
EU

Amended deadline and form requirement for traceability information will enter into force shortly

We informed you about several amendments of the Food and Feed Code (LFGB) with the article referenced below. An amendment relates, among other things, to the revised obligation to forward traceability...

Reminder
DE

Agreement between the government and industry to reduce food waste

A basic agreement to reduce food waste was signed on 12 May 2022 by the Swiss Confederation represented by the Federal Department for the Environment, Transport, Energy and Communication (UVEK) and 28...

Infoletter
CH

Update to the Information Letter on the supply of foodstuffs after the expiry of the minimum durability date

We reported in referenced article below on the Information Letter 2021/9 of the Federal Food Safety and Veterinary Office (BLV) which addresses the supply of foodstuffs in the retail industry after...

Infoletter
CH

ALTS decision on STEC in flour and products derived therefrom

The decisions of the working group comprising experts in the field of food hygiene and foodstuffs of animal origin (the ALTS) serve as guidance for the interpretation and application of foodstuffs...

Infoletter
DE

New and revised DGHM microbiological guide values and warning values published

In November 2021 the foodstuffs microbiology and hygiene specialized group of the German Society for Hygiene and Microbiology (DGHM) revised its microbiological guide values and warning values for the...

Infoletter
DE

Amendment to the Foodstuffs Safety and Consumer Protection Act and the Health and Food Safety Act

The Foodstuffs Safety and Consumer Protection Act (LMSVG) specifies the requirements pertaining to foodstuffs, water for human consumption, consumer goods for day-to-day use and cosmetics as well as...

Infoletter
AT

Supplement to Codex Section A1 Case Law

The Austrian Foodstuffs Code (Codex Alimentarius Austriacus) lays down and specifies designations, definitions, methods of investigation and principles of assessment as well as guidelines for placing...

Infoletter
AT

Permanent introduction of the exemption for the direct supply of small quantities of meat from poultry and lagomorphs

In the article referenced below, we reported, among other things, on an extension of an exemption for small quantities of meat from poultry and lagomorphs slaughtered on the farm. Compliance with the...

Infoletter
EU

Regulation on minimum requirements for water reuse

Due to climate change and the risk of water scarcity in Europe, the use of reclaimed water in agriculture is a possible alternative. However, it must be ensured that the reclaimed water does not pose...

Infoletter
EU

Extension of transitional measures for Regulations (EC) No 853/2004 and (EC) 854/2004

Commission Regulation (EU) No 1079/2013 laid down transitional measures for the application of Regulations (EC) No 853/2004 and (EC) No 854/2004 from 1 January 2014 to 31 December 2016. Since...

Infoletter
EU

No results.