Established by article 5 of the Food Safety Act, 2002
(Act XIV 0f 2002)
| Food Safety Commission |
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Established by article 5 of the Food Safety Act, 2002 (Act XIV 0f 2002)
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Notices |
Web Pages of interest
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Laws:
Food, Drugs and Drinking Water Act, 1972
Animal Food and Feeding Stuffs Regulations,1965
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Locally Produced Bottled Water The use of a Post Office Box on the labelling of pre-packed food products.
Guidelines on Nutrition Claims
Food Safety Commission - First Anniversary
Food Supplements Regulations, 2003
New procedures for export of foodstuffs to USA
Labelling requirements for Light Meat Tuna
Criteria by which Cold Stores do not need approval from the Food and Veterinary Regulation Division
Dietary Foods for Special Medical Purposes Regulations 2001
Foodstuffs intended for Particular Nutritional Uses
Request for Quotations - Genetically Modified Testing Services
The Minister for Health appointed the ex-officio members of the Food Safety Commission as referred to in the Food Safety Act 2002 in June 2001 although the Food Safety Act was not yet in force. The first meeting was held on 11th June 2001. From that date to the end of 2002, the Food Safety Commission met twenty nine times. The official appointment of all the members of the Food Safety Commission in terms of Article 5 of the Food Safety Act, 2002 was dated 22nd November 2002 following the publication of the Act. The Commission has adopted its own standard operating procedures and all discussions and decisions are recorded by the acting secretary. The work undertaken by the Food Safety Commission during this initial period, may be grouped into the following; 1. vetting of food legislation 2. coordinating meetings with EU commission 3. approval of guidelines and monitoring programmes of the competent authorities 4. setting analytical parameters 5. ensuring the coordination between the various competent authorities 6. other matters concerning the assessment and communication of risk in the food market. Appointment of committees:
The Food Safety Commission after evaluation of growing scientific information on the health effects of Kava Kava on humans, has decided that foodstuffs containing extracts of this herb are not to be allowed on the local market. Kava Kava Regulations 2004 The manufacture, sale or import of food or food supplements containing Kava Kava is prohibited.
Locally Produced Bottled Water Certain statements made on the labelling of local producers bottled water contravened Acticle 27 of the Food Safety Act, 2002. The Food Safety Commission notified all producers of bottled water regarding its position on this matter and advised them to consult the Malta Standards Authority for any assistance. FSC/Circ./01/02 The date for compliance with Article 27 of the Food Safety Act, 2002 has been extended to end of June 2004.
One of the function of the Food Safety Commission is to ensure that proper records and registers are kept to ensure that persons responsible for any food products are identified. After analysing the records regarding the registration of Food Premises, as requested by Legal Notice 180 of 2001, the food Safety Commission decided that all organisations representing the food business and commercial operations be informed of the situation though a circular FSC/Circ./01/03 issued on 29th January 2003. The situation will be reviewed and if necessary further action for compliance will be taken.
There are various legislation regarding the information that has to appear on the label of foodstuffs. The Commission has received quite a number of queries from local manufacturers and food importers in this regard. A guide on the requirements of food labelling has been complied for ease of reference. It is always suggested that reference be made to particular legislation for more detail.
The use of a Post Office Box on the labelling of pre-packed food products. Various pre-packed imported food products do not conform fully with regulation 5.1 (f) of the Labelling Regulations (L.N.5/2002) in view that they indicate a Post Office Box on the label in lieu of the full address of the producer / supplier. The Food Safety Commission has issued decision FSC/DEC/07/42/03 in compliance to EU legislation.
The Food Safety Commission after evaluation of the documentation on the health effects of Absinthe on humans, has decided to apply the precautionary principle as per Food Safety Act 2002 Section 7 (1)(a) and therefore prohibit the importation this product.
Guidelines on Nutrition Claims
Manufactures of foodstuffs are making use of certain terminology to describe the food which may not always be understood by the consumer. The Food Safety Commission after reviewing international standards has issued Guidelines on Nutrition Claims to guide manufacturers and consumers on the terms used to define the nutrients of a product.
First Anniversary
On the 16th October 2003 the Food Safety Commission celebrated its first anniversary. During a press conference the Minister of Health Hon. Dr. Louis Deguara said the need for rigorous safeguards in the food sector had increased because of the threat of disease that many countries had faced in recent years. This had led the European Union to take various measures and at the same time requesting its member countries to embrace the farm to fork principle which means control from the production process to food consumption. The European Union had set up the European Food Safety Authority to evaluate risks and eventually communicate them to member countries. Member states have to implement the necessary controls in the respective country. Full text of the press release is available in Maltese.
Food Supplements Regulations 2003 The Foodstuffs, Chemicals & Cosmetics Directorate of the Malta Standards Authority, on behalf of the Food Safety Commission will be the notifying authority for Food Supplements.
The following procedure for notification is to be adopted: The importer is to forward a copy of the label of the food supplement to Foodstuffs, Chemicals & Cosmetics Directorate before importing the product into Malta for the first time or at the moment of importation. The label submitted should be that as will appear on the food supplement when exposed for sale to the ultimate consumer. Notification may be effected by mail, email or fax, provided that the label supplied is legible. Bottles, containers, boxes, etc. are not acceptable for notification.
Importers are encouraged to use electronic means of notification as much as possible.
Registration of Trader Any person or registered company responsible for introducing into Malta any animals, feeding stuffs, food or plants from a foreign country is to be registered as a Trader as required by Trading Regulations, 2004 (L.N. 315 of 2004)
For registration, fill up the required information and send the application to the address indicated.
New procedures for export of foodstuffs to USA New rules and regulations relating to the export, storage and transportation of food related items for the USA, shall apply with immediate effect Registration of such imports has to be registered with FDA by not later than the 12th December2003.
Highlights of the new procedures: 1. All facilities that manufacture, process or hold foods destined for the US market now need to register with the FDA - prior to 12th December 2003 (this is the Registration Rule). 2. All food items entering the US - even for storage or transshipment need to submit a Prior Notice with the FDA (Prior Notice Rule) - as of 12th December 2003.
The UK Food Standards Agency has released a list of the products contaminated with the dye Sudan I.
Leaflet issued by the European Commission regarding obligations of Commercial Operators of food premises according to EU Food Safety legislation.
L-OBBLIGI EWLENIN TA’ L-OPERATURI KUMMERCJALI TA’ L-IKEL U TA’ L-GHALF
THE KEY OBLIGATIONS OF FOOD AND FEED BUSINESS OPERATORS
April 2005
Labelling requirements for Light Meat Tuna
The Food Safety Commission recognises the fact that Codex Standard (Codex Stan 70-1981, Rev. 1-1995) Article 6.1.2 refers to the terms 'light', 'dark' and 'blend' to describe the colour of the product, the same article also implies that these terms may be used unless any other rules apply in the country in which the product is sold. In view of the local situation, whereby the consumers may be misled with the term 'light' to mean 'diet' and that 'dark' or 'blend' canned tuna is uncommon, the Food Safety Commission strongly affirms that if manufacturers label product with the term 'light', the product should also contain the Nutritional Information as prescribed by regulations.
This also applies to other products, for example canned peaches in light syrup. It however does not apply to products such as soy sauce whereby light and dark soy sauce are both readily available on the local market.
June 2005
FSC September 2005
FSC December 2005
FVRD January 2006
Dietary Foods for Special Medical Purposes Regulations 2001
The Foodstuffs, Chemicals & Cosmetics Directorate of the Malta Standards Authority will be the notifying authority for Dietary Foods for Special Medical Purposes.
The following procedure for notification is to be adopted: The importer or manufacturer is to forward a copy of the label of the Dietary Foods for Special Medical Purposes to the Foodstuffs, Chemicals & Cosmetics Directorate before placing the product on the Maltese market. The label submitted should be that as will appear on the food when exposed for sale to the ultimate consumer. Notification may be effected by mail, email or fax, provided that the label supplied is legible. Bottles, containers, boxes, etc. are not acceptable for notification.
Importers or manufacturers are encouraged to use electronic means of notification as much as possible.
FSC January 2006
Foodstuffs intended for Particular Nutritional Uses (Labelling, Presentation and Advertising of Foodstuffs Regulations, 2004, Reg. 19.13 (L.N. 483 of 2004))
The Foodstuffs, Chemicals & Cosmetics Directorate of the Malta Standards Authority will be the notifying authority for Foodstuffs intended for Particular Nutritional Uses.
When placing the product for the first time on the Maltese marker the importer or manufacturer is to forward a copy of the label to the Foodstuffs, Chemicals & Cosmetics Directorate of the Malta Standards Authority of the foodstuffs intended for a particular nutritional use which do not belong to one of the groups listed in the Fourth Schedule of L.N. 483 of 2004.
The label submitted should be that as will appear on the food when exposed for sale to the ultimate consumer. Notification may be effected by mail, email or fax, provided that the label supplied is legible. Bottles, containers, boxes, etc. are not acceptable for notification.
Importers or manufacturers are encouraged to use electronic means of notification as much as possible.
May 2006
Request for Quotations - Genetically Modified Testing Services
The Malta Environment and Planning Authority (MEPA) together with the Food Safety Commission (FSC) would like to receive quotations from laboratories accredited to provide GM testing services. more
CLOSING DATE: NOON, FRIDAY, 7TH JULY 2006
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Department for Environmental Health
Department of Food and Veterinary Services
Foodstuffs, Chemicals and Cosmetics Directorate Malta Standards Authority
Department of Health Promotion
Rapid Alert System for Food and Feed | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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All correspondence should be addressed to: The Acting Secretary, MHI's Office, 37 - 39 Rue D'Argens, Msida Tel.: +356 21324093, +356 21332225 Fax: +356 21344767 email: foodsafety.commission@gov.mt
Page last updated 09 June 2008 |
