Commission clarifications and guidance help to facilitate public and private understanding of the EU legal framework for the conversion of former foodstuffs into feed
The European Commission published its Guidelines for the feed use of food no longer intended for human consumption on 17 April 2018, as the next key deliverable of the EU Circular Economy Action Plan on food waste. EFFPA and FEFAC highly appreciate the efforts that have been made by the European Commission in cooperation with the national competent authorities to develop a practical guidance document that increases the legal certainty for the former foodstuff[1] processing sector while preserving the integrity and safety of the EU food and feed chain.
EFFPA, representing former foodstuff processors, considers the publication as additional support for the sector as a legitimate and professional solution to reduce food waste. EFFPA President Paul Featherstone: “This publication is a key milestone for the business practice of former foodstuff processing. It now makes it clear that when foodstuffs are unsuitable for human consumption, because of expiry dates or when they have fallen off the manufacturing line for example, this does not automatically mean they are unsuitable for animal feed use”.
FEFAC, representing European compound feed manufacturers and the main customer of former foodstuff processors, sees value in the publication of the Guidelines in the light of feed safety management and traceability. FEFAC President Nick Major: “We welcome the Guidelines which highlights the responsibilities of the different operators in this particular part of the feed value chain. It confirms that the feed quality and safety of former foodstuffs need to be verified before entering the feed chain”.
EFFPA and FEFAC believe the Guidelines will increase the understanding and recognition of former foodstuff processing under controlled conditions as a valuable part of the circular economy in Europe and encourage the use of food no longer suitable for human consumption in feed to reduce food waste.
[1] foodstuffs, other than catering reflux, which were manufactured for human consumption in full compliance with the EU food law but which are no longer intended for human consumption for practical or logistical reasons or due to problems of manufacturing or packaging defects or other defects and which do not present any health risks when used as feed (Regulation (EU) No 2017/1017).