Question 1

What is food law?

Accepted Answer

Food law is the body of rules governing production, processing, distribution and sale of food. At EU level the framework is Regulation 178/2002 (General Food Law); in Poland it is the Food Safety and Nutrition Act plus implementing acts. It covers labelling, claims, novel food, additives, hygiene and sanitary-inspection supervision.

Question 2

How to notify a dietary supplement?

Accepted Answer

In Poland a notification of a food supplement is filed with the Chief Sanitary Inspector (GIS) through the electronic system. The file includes composition, posology and the label. GIS may request supplements or challenge the product’s classification (e.g. as FSMP or novel food). It is a notification, not an authorisation — GIS may still object.

Question 3

What are health claims?

Accepted Answer

Health claims are messages that imply a relationship between food and health. In the EU they are governed by Regulation 1924/2006. Authorised claims sit in the Union register and each has conditions of use (substance, dose, target population). Botanical and on-hold claims are not automatically lawful — they need a risk assessment and label context.

Question 4

What is novel food?

Accepted Answer

Novel food is food not consumed to a significant degree in the EU before 15 May 1997. Placing it on the market requires authorisation under Regulation 2015/2283 (EFSA + Commission). Typical risk areas: plant extracts, fungi, peptides, and ingredients from non-EU traditions without a documented history of consumption.

Question 5

How does the RASFF system work?

Accepted Answer

RASFF (Rapid Alert System for Food and Feed) is the EU early-warning system for food and feed hazards. Member States file alerts, information notifications and border rejections. For a business this can mean withdrawal, consumer notification and traceability records. RASFF is not a standalone penalty — it is a supervision signal.

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