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algae:production_processing_hygiene [2026-09-07 08:08] – robertalgae:production_processing_hygiene [2026-09-13 17:30] (current) – Mostly rename EURlex robert
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 ==== The General Food Law ==== ==== The General Food Law ====
  
-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, OJ L 31, 1.2.2002, p. 1. [[https://eur-lex.europa.eu/legal-content/EN/AUTO/?uri=CELEX%3A02002R0178-20260101|EUR-Lex]]+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, OJ L 31, 1.2.2002, p. 1. [[https://eur-lex.europa.eu/legal-content/EN/AUTO/?uri=CELEX%3A02002R0178-20260101|EURlex]]
  
 __Relevance to algae:__ This is the foundational regulation of EU food and feed law. It establishes the general principles that apply to all food and feed business operators — including algae producers and processors — and created the European Food Safety Authority (EFSA). Key provisions: __Relevance to algae:__ This is the foundational regulation of EU food and feed law. It establishes the general principles that apply to all food and feed business operators — including algae producers and processors — and created the European Food Safety Authority (EFSA). Key provisions:
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 === General Hygiene Rules === === General Hygiene Rules ===
  
-Regulation (EC) No 852/2004 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 29 April 2004 on the hygiene of foodstuffs, OJ L 139, 30.4.2004, p. 1. [[https://eur-lex.europa.eu/legal-content/EN/AUTO/?uri=CELEX%3A02004R0852-20210324|EUR-Lex]]+Regulation (EC) No 852/2004 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 29 April 2004 on the hygiene of foodstuffs, OJ L 139, 30.4.2004, p. 1. [[https://eur-lex.europa.eu/legal-content/EN/AUTO/?uri=CELEX%3A02004R0852-20210324|EURlex]]
  
 __Relevance to algae:__ This is the central hygiene regulation applicable to all food businesses, including those producing or processing algae for food use. Key provisions: __Relevance to algae:__ This is the central hygiene regulation applicable to all food businesses, including those producing or processing algae for food use. Key provisions:
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 === Specific Hygiene Rules for Food of Animal Origin === === Specific Hygiene Rules for Food of Animal Origin ===
  
-Regulation (EC) No 853/2004 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 29 April 2004 laying down specific hygiene rules for food of animal origin, OJ L 139, 30.4.2004, p. 55. [[https://eur-lex.europa.eu/legal-content/EN/TXT/?uri=CELEX%3A02004R0853-20260127|EUR-Lex]]+Regulation (EC) No 853/2004 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 29 April 2004 laying down specific hygiene rules for food of animal origin, OJ L 139, 30.4.2004, p. 55. [[https://eur-lex.europa.eu/legal-content/EN/TXT/?uri=CELEX%3A02004R0853-20260127|EURlex]]
  
 __Relevance to algae:__ Algae are not products of animal origin and this regulation does not directly apply to algal biomass itself. However, it becomes relevant where algae are combined with or processed alongside animal-origin ingredients (for example, in mixed food supplements or compound feed), or where algae are intended for fish or aquaculture feed and the production facility is co-located with animal-origin food handling. It is mentioned here for completeness and because it is frequently cross-referenced in novel food applications and EFSA guidance documents relevant to algae. __Relevance to algae:__ Algae are not products of animal origin and this regulation does not directly apply to algal biomass itself. However, it becomes relevant where algae are combined with or processed alongside animal-origin ingredients (for example, in mixed food supplements or compound feed), or where algae are intended for fish or aquaculture feed and the production facility is co-located with animal-origin food handling. It is mentioned here for completeness and because it is frequently cross-referenced in novel food applications and EFSA guidance documents relevant to algae.
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 ==== Microbiological and Chemical Criteria ==== ==== Microbiological and Chemical Criteria ====
  
-Regulation (EC) No 2073/2005 of 15 November 2005 on microbiological criteria for foodstuffs, OJ L 338, 22.12.2005, p. 1. [[https://eur-lex.europa.eu/legal-content/EN/AUTO/?uri=CELEX%3A02005R2073-20260701&qid=1781732714505|EUR-Lex]]+Regulation (EC) No 2073/2005 of 15 November 2005 on microbiological criteria for foodstuffs, OJ L 338, 22.12.2005, p. 1. [[https://eur-lex.europa.eu/legal-content/EN/AUTO/?uri=CELEX%3A02005R2073-20260701&qid=1781732714505|EURlex]]
  
 __Relevance to algae:__ Sets microbiological safety criteria and process hygiene criteria applicable to foodstuffs, including thresholds for organisms such as //Salmonella// and //Listeria monocytogenes//. Although no algae-specific criteria are set, the general criteria for ready-to-eat foods apply to dried or processed algae sold as food. Compliance is verified through sampling and testing as part of an operator's HACCP-based food safety management system. __Relevance to algae:__ Sets microbiological safety criteria and process hygiene criteria applicable to foodstuffs, including thresholds for organisms such as //Salmonella// and //Listeria monocytogenes//. Although no algae-specific criteria are set, the general criteria for ready-to-eat foods apply to dried or processed algae sold as food. Compliance is verified through sampling and testing as part of an operator's HACCP-based food safety management system.
  
-Regulation (EU) 2023/915 of 25 April 2023 on maximum levels for certain contaminants in food, OJ L 119 5.5.2023, p. 103. [[https://eur-lex.europa.eu/legal-content/EN/TXT/?uri=CELEX%3A02023R0915-20251008|EUR-Lex]]+Regulation (EU) 2023/915 of 25 April 2023 on maximum levels for certain contaminants in food, OJ L 119 5.5.2023, p. 103. [[https://eur-lex.europa.eu/legal-content/EN/TXT/?uri=CELEX%3A02023R0915-20251008|EURlex]]
  
 __Relevance to algae:__ Sets maximum levels for contaminants such as heavy metals, mycotoxins and dioxins in various food categories. This regulation (including the previous version 1881/2006) has been progressively amended to add algae-specific entries, particularly for inorganic arsenic and other heavy metals in seaweed and microalgae-based food supplements. This regulation does not mention any cyanotoxins. Detailed coverage, including the algae-specific limits, is provided in [[algae:food:quality_safety|Food Quality and Safety]]. __Relevance to algae:__ Sets maximum levels for contaminants such as heavy metals, mycotoxins and dioxins in various food categories. This regulation (including the previous version 1881/2006) has been progressively amended to add algae-specific entries, particularly for inorganic arsenic and other heavy metals in seaweed and microalgae-based food supplements. This regulation does not mention any cyanotoxins. Detailed coverage, including the algae-specific limits, is provided in [[algae:food:quality_safety|Food Quality and Safety]].
  
-Regulation (EEC) No 315/93 of 8 February 1993 laying down Community procedures for contaminants in food, OJ L 37, 13.2.1993, p. 1. [[https://eur-lex.europa.eu/legal-content/EN/ALL/?uri=CELEX%3A01993R0315-20090807|EUR-Lex]]+Regulation (EEC) No 315/93 of 8 February 1993 laying down Community procedures for contaminants in food, OJ L 37, 13.2.1993, p. 1. [[https://eur-lex.europa.eu/legal-content/EN/ALL/?uri=CELEX%3A01993R0315-20090807|EURlex]]
  
 __Relevance to algae:__ Establishes the general procedural framework under which contaminant limits (such as those in Regulation (EC) No 2023/915) are set, a very short and simple act setting the basic principle that food containing a contaminant at a level unacceptable from the public health viewpoint must not be placed on the market. __Relevance to algae:__ Establishes the general procedural framework under which contaminant limits (such as those in Regulation (EC) No 2023/915) are set, a very short and simple act setting the basic principle that food containing a contaminant at a level unacceptable from the public health viewpoint must not be placed on the market.
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 ==== Official Controls ==== ==== Official Controls ====
  
-Regulation (EU) 2017/625 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 15 March 2017 on official controls and other official activities performed to ensure the application of food and feed law, rules on animal health and welfare, plant health and plant protection products, OJ L 095 7.4.2017, p. 1. [[https://eur-lex.europa.eu/legal-content/EN/TXT/?uri=CELEX%3A02017R0625-20250105&qid=1781738110469|EUR-Lex]]+Regulation (EU) 2017/625 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 15 March 2017 on official controls and other official activities performed to ensure the application of food and feed law, rules on animal health and welfare, plant health and plant protection products, OJ L 095 7.4.2017, p. 1. [[https://eur-lex.europa.eu/legal-content/EN/TXT/?uri=CELEX%3A02017R0625-20250105&qid=1781738110469|EURlex]]
  
 __Relevance to algae:__ This regulation (which replaced the earlier Regulation (EC) No 882/2004) governs how national competent authorities carry out official controls — inspections, sampling, audits — across the food and feed chain. For algae producers, this is the legal basis under which national food safety authorities will inspect cultivation and processing facilities, take samples for contaminant or microbiological testing, and verify compliance with HACCP and traceability obligations. It also sets requirements for the accreditation of official laboratories, generally requiring conformity with ISO/IEC 17025 for testing laboratories used in official controls. Import controls at EU borders for algae products from third countries are also governed under this regulation; see [[algae:customs_trade|Customs Classification and Trade]]. __Relevance to algae:__ This regulation (which replaced the earlier Regulation (EC) No 882/2004) governs how national competent authorities carry out official controls — inspections, sampling, audits — across the food and feed chain. For algae producers, this is the legal basis under which national food safety authorities will inspect cultivation and processing facilities, take samples for contaminant or microbiological testing, and verify compliance with HACCP and traceability obligations. It also sets requirements for the accreditation of official laboratories, generally requiring conformity with ISO/IEC 17025 for testing laboratories used in official controls. Import controls at EU borders for algae products from third countries are also governed under this regulation; see [[algae:customs_trade|Customs Classification and Trade]].
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 ==== Worker Health and Safety ==== ==== Worker Health and Safety ====
  
-Council Directive 89/391/EEC of 12 June 1989 on the introduction of measures to encourage improvements in the safety and health of workers at work, OJ L 183, 29.6.1989, p. 1. [[https://eur-lex.europa.eu/legal-content/EN/ALL/?uri=CELEX%3A01989L0391-20081211|EUR-Lex]]+Council Directive 89/391/EEC of 12 June 1989 on the introduction of measures to encourage improvements in the safety and health of workers at work, OJ L 183, 29.6.1989, p. 1. [[https://eur-lex.europa.eu/legal-content/EN/ALL/?uri=CELEX%3A01989L0391-20081211|EURlex]]
  
 __Relevance to algae:__ This is the framework Directive for occupational health and safety across the EU. Its transpositions to national legislation are quite different so local rules should be consulted. Algae producers, as employers, must train staff to use cultivation and processing equipment correctly and provide a safe working environment. This is particularly relevant for facilities that use pressurised systems, centrifuges, spray driers, or chemical extraction processes. There are also relevant limitations regarding work in greenhouses or under high-temperature and high-humidity conditions. Equipment-specific safety legislation is covered in [[algae:equipment_safety|Equipment and Safety]]. __Relevance to algae:__ This is the framework Directive for occupational health and safety across the EU. Its transpositions to national legislation are quite different so local rules should be consulted. Algae producers, as employers, must train staff to use cultivation and processing equipment correctly and provide a safe working environment. This is particularly relevant for facilities that use pressurised systems, centrifuges, spray driers, or chemical extraction processes. There are also relevant limitations regarding work in greenhouses or under high-temperature and high-humidity conditions. Equipment-specific safety legislation is covered in [[algae:equipment_safety|Equipment and Safety]].
algae/production_processing_hygiene.1788768502.txt.gz · Last modified: by robert