Food and feed

The trade with safe and wholesome foods is an important aspect of safeguarding citizens’ health and welfare. European, and national, food legislation includes measures that ensure a high level of health. Food safety requirements apply to all parts of the food production chain, and therefore also include the production and use of feedingstuffs.

The strict food and feed legislation applies to all foods and feedingstuffs without exception. Not only foods and feedingstuffs from the EU, but those originating from countries that are not EU members must comply with the requirements of food and feed legislation.

Definition of food

Food (or foodstuff) means any substance or product, whether processed, partially processed or unprocessed, intended to be, or reasonably expected to be, ingested by humans. The term also covers what are known as food supplements as long as these are mainly intended for nutrition or indulgence. Even chewing gum, as well as water and other beverages count as food. Finally, the term also comprises live animals that have been prepared for placing on the market for human consumption.
A distinction must be made between food of animal origin and food of non-animal origin.

What are foods of animal origin?

Foods of animal origin include, for example, the meat of cattle, pigs, and poultry; milk and dairy products; as well as fish and fish products. Honey and mussels are also foods of animal origin.

All foods of animal origin must always comply with the requirements of animal health legislation as well as with food legislation; this is why for such foods the Common Health Entry Document (CHED) must always be presented at customs offices.

Information about animal health legislation

What are foods of non-animal origin?

Foods of non-animal origin are fruit and vegetables, and grains such as rye or rice. Vegetable oils are also foods of non-animal origin. Special monitoring procedures are in place for some of these foods from non-EU countries to protect the health of consumers. These measures require, for example, that special food legislation documents such as a Common Health Entry Document (CHED) be submitted to the customs offices.

Provisions in respect of foods for special purposes

There are special additional requirements for dietary foods. These are foods that, because of their composition, for example, have been manufactured to suit the nutritional requirements of specific groups of people such as babies or toddlers, and are intended for a special food.

There are other provisions for rennet substitutes. Rennet substitutes are products of microbial origin that are used in cheese production.

What products are not foods?

Although they are ingested or consumed by humans, medicines, cosmetics, and tobacco or tobacco products are not foods.
There are separate legal bases to be observed for these products.

Information about medical products

Definition of feedingstuffs

Feedingstuffs (or feed) are all those products and materials that are intended to be fed orally to animals. As in the case of food, the degree of processing is irrelevant; unprocessed, or part processed products and materials may also be feedingstuffs.
Feedingstuffs of animal origin are distinguished from those that are not of animal origin.

What are the responsibilities of the German Customs administration in relation to foodstuffs and feedingstuffs?

Within the framework of its responsibilities the Customs administration is involved in monitoring the import of foods and feedingstuffs from countries that are not members of the European Union through its cooperation with the competent food and feedingstuff control authorities.

In principle, food and feedingstuffs can be declared at any German customs office. This principle is, however, restricted in the case of some goods in that particular customs procedures can only take place at authorised customs offices. The customs offices with special competences for food or feedingstuff are identified in the Federal Finance Administration’s directory of customs services.

Directory of customs services (in German)

What does "import" mean?

The legislation on food and feed has its own definition of "import". The relevant legislation uses the term import when the product concerned has been released for free circulation. "Release for free circulation" is the designation of one of the customs procedures for which goods can be declared.

Information about the release for free circulation

Which authorities are competent for the supervision of food and animal feed in Germany?

In Germany, it is the competent food or feedingstuff control authorities at regional level who are responsible for monitoring compliance with the provisions of food and feed legislation. They also decide whether a food or feedingstuff meets the requirements for import.

The authority responsible for food and feed legislation at the national level is the Federal Ministry of Food and Agriculture. It is assisted by, for example, the Federal Office of Consumer Protection and Food Safety.

Where can I obtain further information?

Additional information can be obtained from the Federal Ministry of Food, Agriculture and Consumer Protection, from the Federal Office of Consumer Protection and Food Safety or from the highest competent regional authorities.