Regulatory watch on foods for specific groups: regulations and developments
Le 13 January 2025
Regulatory watch on foods for specific groups
Context and challenges
Foods for specific groups (FSG) encompass several categories of food products:
- Infant formula and follow-on formula.
- Cereal-based preparations and baby foods.
- Foods for Special Medical Purposes (FSMPs).
- Total diet replacements for weight control.
These products are subject to strict regulations to ensure their safety, efficacy, and compliance with European and national standards.
European regulatory texts
The European regulations governing AGS are primarily based on several key texts :
- Regulation (EC) 609/2013: Establishes composition and information requirements applicable to four categories of FSG.
- Delegated Regulation (EC) 2016/127: sets the requirements for composition and information for infant formulas and follow-on preparations.
- Delegated Regulation (EU) 2016/128: details the specific requirements applicable to DADFMS.
- Regulation (EC) 2017/798: establishes composition and information requirements for total diet replacements for weight control.
- Directive 2006/125: still in force in the absence of a new regulation concerning cereal-based processed foods and other baby foods.
Conclusion
Regulatory watch is essential to ensure the compliance of foods for specific groups. Although the reference texts remain unchanged, monitoring regulatory developments is crucial to anticipate potential modifications impacting sector stakeholders.
Staying informed about regulatory developments helps optimize product compliance and anticipate upcoming legislative changes.
Your frequently asked questions about foods for specific groups
Are the French decrees of 2008 and 1976 still valid ?
Yes, although they should have been replaced by Regulation (EU) 609/2013, they remain in force in the absence of an official text repealing these decrees.
Why are cereal-based preparations and baby foods still governed by Directive 2006/125?
The latest delegated regulation under Regulation 609/2013, which is expected to repeal this directive, is still pending. One of the reasons for this delay is a discrepancy between the Directive and the draft Regulation regarding the age limit.