General Hygiene Provisions

The current regime of hygiene rules was adopted in April 2004 by the European Parliament and the Council and became applicable on the 1st January 2006. This collection of legislation is often referred to as ‘The hygiene package’ and it aims to introduce consistency and clarity throughout the food production chain from 'farm to fork'.

The ‘hygiene package’ is comprised of rules on the following:

• Hygiene of foodstuffs
• Specific hygiene rules for food of animal origin
• Microbiological criteria for foodstuffs
• Implementing rules
• Transitional measures for the new rules
• National Rules

Last reviewed: 3/9/2010