This Act establishes the set of rules governing the quality, labeling, and compliance of agricultural products and foodstuffs throughout their entire lifecycle, from cultivation and production to distribution and consumption in public catering. Furthermore, it covers aspects of consumer protection, regulations regarding quality schemes and the food supply chain, measures to reduce food waste, as well as the enforcement mechanisms and authorities responsible for implementing relevant EU legislation.
It defines mandatory hygiene procedures, traceability and monitoring obligations for economic operators. It regulates certification and conformity assessment, including procedures for official inspection and verification of compliance with established standards. It sets requirements for consumer protection, accurate packaging, and disclosure of information relevant to food composition, origin, nutritional values and quality designations, including geographical indications.
It establishes provisions related to specialised sectors and products, including those for organic production,viticulture practices and associated quality schemes. It also specifies conditions for permitted uses of food additives in compliance with EU and international norms.
The Act includes provisions to support the implementation of its quality and regulatory framework through defined public subsidy and financing mechanisms. These provisions establish conditions under which financial support may be made available for activities and programmes related to food quality, recognised quality schemes, data collection, and the operationalisation of the law. It also contains measures aimed at waste prevention and reduction, including rules on the management of organic waste and mechanisms for handling food loss and waste, with conditions under which surplus food may be redistributed or donated to authorised recipients.
Administrative and enforcement provisions define the responsibilities and powers of competent authorities, including inspection bodies, for carrying out checks, controls, and official oversight. The Act specifies documentation and record‑keeping obligations, procedures for initiating and executing enforcement actions, and the categories of conduct that constitute violations, along with the sanctions applicable in such cases. It also provides for corrective actions to be taken when non‑compliance is identified and outlines frameworks for cooperation and information exchange among national authorities and with relevant European Union institutions in the performance of their respective functions.