The central goal of the Food Safety policy is to ensure a high level of protection of human. The European Union is a major importer of food. Strict import rules with respect to food safety and animal health status aim at assuring that all imports fulfill the same high standards as products from the EU itself. Import controls are crucial in verifying compliance of food products with relevant requirements. Therefor an harmonized control system all over the EU has been implemented over the years.
The term 'food' encompasses products of animal origin for human consumption, products of plant origin for human consumption and products composed of both (composite products).
Be aware that foodstuffs of non-animal origin has to comply with phytosanitary regulations and / or market standard regulations if appropriate. Information can be found in the section on plants and plant products.