(This note is not part of the Regulations)
1. These Regulations, which apply in relation to Wales, provide for the execution and enforcement there of Commission Regulation (EC) No. 41/2009 concerning the composition and labelling of foodstuffs suitable for people intolerant to gluten (OJ No. L16, 21.1.2009, p.3) (“the Commission Regulation”) as read with Article 10(2) of Directive 2009/39/EC of the European Parliament and of the Council on foodstuffs intended for particular nutritional uses (OJ No. L124, 20.5.2009, p.21).
2. The Commission Regulation imposes requirements on the composition and labelling of foodstuffs for people intolerant to gluten and other foodstuffs suitable for people intolerant to gluten, in particular as regards the use of the terms “very low gluten” and “gluten-free”.
3. These Regulations—
(a)provide that a person who contravenes specified provisions of the Commission Regulation is guilty of an offence (regulation 3(1));
(b)provide penalties for offences (regulation 3(2));
(c)specify the enforcement authority (regulation 3(3));
(d)provide that these Regulations apply in relation to foodstuffs for people intolerant to gluten that are placed on the retail market irrespective of whether they are in pre-packaged form as provided for in Article 10(2) of Directive 2009/39/EC (regulation 4); and
(e)provide for the application, with modifications, of specified provisions of the Food Safety Act 1990 (1990 c. 16) for the purposes of these Regulations (regulation 5).
4. A regulatory impact assessment has been prepared as to the likely costs and benefits of complying with these Regulations. A copy can be obtained from the Food Standards Agency, 11th Floor, Southgate House, Cardiff, CF10 1EW.