Compliance of Food Products with International Regulations
Introduction
The world has become more interconnected than before, primarily due to technological advancements over the last few decades. There is also a rapid movement of consumer goods due to globalisation. With an increase in the migration of people and consumer goods, issues may arise about product safety since there are concerns due to contamination and incorrect product labelling that lead to product recall. This is where regulations are crucial. Regulations are instituted by authorities in respective countries and ensure the products are safe. Examples of regulatory bodies include the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) in the United States and the European Food Safety Authority (EFSA) in the European Union. Regulations influence every aspect of product development- from research and development (R&D) to sourcing to marketing. Although there are technological advances in enhancing food safety, like the use of Internet of Things (IoT) and cold plasma processing, the International regulatory standards are crucial to ensure product safety globally. Non-compliance with the regulations can lead to deterioration in the brand image. Therefore, start ups must adhere to international regulatory standards so that the products are sold worldwide, leading to their success.
Steps to ensure compliance with International regulatory standards
Adhering compliance to international regulatory standards is an ongoing process, as it is susceptible to changes and undergo regular regulation updates. The following steps may help comply with the regulations:
- Stay updated with the changing regulations Companies developing food, products must keep updated with international regulatory development. Companies must identify which regulations apply to them and formulate products accordingly. The employees must be acquainted with new regulations and amendments to the existing ones. In addition, they must be assessed whether they follow practices like HACCP and GMP.
- Seek assistance from a food consultant Sometimes, regulations may unintentionally be breached by small and growing organisations and enterprises. To prevent such errors from happening in the future, companies must seek the help of a food consultant conversant with international regulations. Consultants ensure that the process of product development is in order. The consultants also help the companies keep updated with the regulations.
- Ensure the product labelling meets the international regulatory standards The companies must ensure the product label offers complete information regarding their composition and ingredients. A general requirement to meet international regulatory standards is that a product must have a complete list of ingredients, with an emphasis on allergens and additives. The labelling requirements may vary between countries; for instance, the number of allergens that should be disclosed on a food product label is eight, while in the European Union, it is fourteen. Regarding additives, the European Union Mandates that food additives must be specified by the E-number. To get more insights on EU regulations on food additives, check our regulation updates. On the contrary, the FDA requires that food additives be mentioned in full form to give consumers complete information about the ingredients added to the food.
- Conduct frequent audits Audits help assess whether the employees adhere to regulations during product development. The internal auditor must be independent and must assess the employees stringently [1].
Conclusion
Compliance with International regulatory standards is crucial for the success of the product. Keeping updated with the changes in food regulations, employee training, assessment, audits, labelling products appropriately, and seeking the assistance of a food and beverage consultant is valuable to ensure that the products developed comply with international regulatory standards.
How the Food Research Lab can help
We are a team of food scientists and food technologists who offer B2B service in product development. We understand the importance of regulations, keep updated with the changes in the regulatory environment and offer regulatory and scientific research services for our clients. Our regulatory professionals are among the best in the business, with considerable expertise in international regulatory strategies. In addition, we assist our clients in obtaining certification and following standardised practices regarding product development and help ensure product quality, guaranteeing their success.
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