Online food law database targets product developers
retailers in developing new products for the EU market.
UK-based Leatherhead Food International, which is creating the database, said it is targeted at technical personnel mainly working on product development, rather than at regulatory compliance staff.
The database would cover legislation relating to the EU's geographical indications system, product compositional standards and contaminants.
"The database will cover three key areas of legislation that are technically critical and are regulatory vulnerable in the development of new products, utilising new ingredients and re-formulations," the company stated in releasing an outline of the project.objective of the project is to produce a database that covers the following information:
The EU's geographical indications system is a means of protecting the names of foods produced in a specific region or are made in a traditional manner, such as Parma ham from Italy.
The database would include information on product compositional standards, but would not include references to legislation on additives, flavourings, processing aids, solvents and other carriers used by the food industry.
The information on contaminants would not cover rules relating to pesticides and veterinary residues.
In the second phase of the project Leatherhead proposes to create a database of allergenic derivatives for additives and ingredients.
The original idea for the database arose from a UK retailer, which Leatherhead did not name.
"The scope of the database, and the generic nature of the information to be included presented a viable opportunity to create a generic database that would be a useful tool for many parties in the food manufacturing as well as the retail sector," the company stated.Access to the online database would be available only to registered users.
