Food of non-animal origin

General

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Food of non-animal origin (plant origin) is any substance or product whether processed, partially processed or unprocessed intended to be, or reasonably expected to be ingested by humans (food of plant origin).

As the food business operator, the importer must ensure that all the prescribed requirements are met regarding safety, hygiene, quality and identification of food it imports in order to market in the EU.

The authority competent for food of non-animal origin is the Administration of the Republic of Slovenia for Food Safety, Veterinary and Plant Protection (hereinafter referred to as: UVHVVR). However, food supplements and foodstuffs for particular nutritional and medical use are under the competence of the Health Inspectorate of the Republic of Slovenia.

Food of non-animal origin which is monitored by the UVHVVR is released for free circulation in the Republic of Slovenia only after customs authorities have performed general documentary and identity checks which are carried out at random or on the basis of risk assessment. When the annual sampling plan prepared by the UVHVVR is implemented, customs authorities inform the local office of the UVHVVR about the established inconsistencies.

There is a list of food of non-animal origin subject to an increased level of official controls in Annex I to Regulation No 669/2009. This list is reviewed several times a year. Consignments of such food must be declared to a competent UVHVVR inspector on a common entry document (CED) at the point of first entry into the EU. Apart from an increased level of official controls on food, there are emergency measures laid down in relation to Regulation No 178/2002 which have been adopted regarding specific plant products, mushrooms and other food due to new risks to health. Consignments containing such products must be declared to a competent UVHVVR inspector on the prescribed CED form or any other prescribed form at the point of first entry into the EU. Checks on food of non-animal origin which are subject to an increased level of control and emergency measures can be performed within the country at points of control authorised for that purpose.

EU legislation

Regulations

  • Regulation (EC) 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, establishing the European Food Safety Authority and laying down procedures in matters of food safety
  • Commission Regulation (EC) No 669/2009 of 24 July 2009 implementing Regulation (EC) No 882/2004 of the European Parliament and of the Council as regards the increased level of official controls on imports of certain feed and food of non-animal origin and amending Decision 2006/504/EC
  • Regulation (EC) No 882/2004 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 29 April 2004 on official controls performed to ensure the verification of compliance with feed and food law, animal health and animal welfare rules
  • Commission Regulation (EU) No 211/2013 of 11 March 2013 on certification requirements for imports into the Union of sprouts and seeds intended for the production of sprouts
  • Commission Implementing Regulation (EU) No 208/2013 of 11 March 2013 on traceability requirements for sprouts and seeds intended for the production of sprouts

National legislation

Decrees

  • Decree on the implementation of certain Regulations (EC) concerning foodstuffs, hygiene of foodstuffs and official control of foodstuffs  
  • Decree on the implementation of Council Regulations (EC) and Commission Regulations (EC) on the radioactive contamination of foodstuffs and feedstuffs  
  • Decree implementing the Regulation (EU) on the import of certain foodstuffs of non-animal origin from third countries  
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