These Regulations amend the Food Safety Act 1990 (“the Act”). The amendments are occasioned by Regulation (EC) No. 178/2002 of the Council and European Parliament (OJNo. L31, 1.2.2002, p.1) laying down the general principles and requirements of food law, establishing the European Food Safety Authority and laying down procedures in matters of food safety.

The Regulations replace the existing definition of “food” in the Act with the definition which applies for the purposes of (EC) Regulation 178/2002 (regulation 3). That definition is to be found in Article 2 of that Regulation.

Pursuant to Article 4(2) and (3) of (EC) Regulation 178/2002 the Regulations also disapply provisions in sections 40 and 48 of the Act regarding public consultation in circumstances where similar provisions in Article 9 of (EC) Regulation 178/2002 require public consultation (regulations 4 and 5).

The Regulations also make consequential amendments to the general interpretation provisions in section 53 of the Act (regulation 6) and a consequential amendment to a redundant provision in the Medicines for Human Use (Marketing Authorisations Etc.) Regulations 1994 (regulation 7).

A full regulatory impact assessment has not been produced for this instrument as it has no impact on the costs of business.