Project Brief

Welcome to the FRESH QUALITY GUIDE developed for the fresh produce industry.

Introduction and objectives

The ever-changing regulatory environment in the fresh produce sector can lead to considerable confusion within the trade. Not only are legislative requirements to be respected, but demands from consumers on food safety and quality must also be met. Interpreting this information in a harmonious way to address both sets of demands when marketing fresh produce on the European market allows importers, exporters, wholesalers and retailers to ensure that trade flows can be maintained and that consumers are satisfied.

Until now, there has been no single comprehensive source of the requirements for the fresh produce trade. This guide aims to fill this void in a transparent, coherent and unambiguous manner.

Specifically the objectives of the guide are as follows:

• to provide a clear source of information;
• to help companies meet EU legislative requirements;
• to improve protection of consumer health;
• to be a reference document for public administration;
• to facilitate and harmonise criteria for international trade;
• to assist communication among produce traders and importers and exporters;
• to encourage high quality production;
• to maintain accurate information flow; and
• to help meet consumer requirements.

With a larger European Union of 27 Members, a plenitude of new challenges for both public authorities and traders will arise as sector-specific European law is implemented in the reshaped Europe. The Fresh Quality Guide will facilitate the harmonised interpretation of these requirements, whilst easing the transitional period and providing a compendium of information for future reference.

How is the information organised?

This site offers two unique approaches: a GENERAL SECTION for all non-product specific legislation in an easy reading format, and a PRODUCT SPECIFIC SECTION where all specific product requirements can be viewed.

The General Section provides a full range of relevant information for all produce to be marketed on the European market. All sections are written in a simple, comprehendible manner, interpreted from original legislation.

The Product Specific Section includes all commodity marketing quality standards which must be adhered when marketing fresh produce within the European Union. Marketing standards must also be adhered to by produce exported from Europe to third countries.

Links to all original legislative documents are incorporated.

Sources of information

European Union

The majority of the information contained within this guide is derived from European Community legislation. Original legislation can be accessed via the Europa website.

Codex Alimentarius Commission

Established by the FAO and WHO, the Codex Alimentarius Commission (CAC) develops food standards, guidelines and related texts such as codes of practice under the Joint FAO/WHO Food Standards Programme. The main objectives of the programme are to protect the health of consumers, ensure fair trade practices in the food trade and promote coordination of all food standards work undertaken by international governmental and non-governmental organisations. These objectives are achieved by setting International food standards based on sound science and appropriate risk assessment techniques.

Several CAC documents are included within the Fresh Quality Guide for reference to international standards on some General Sections and Product Specific Sections alike.

Click here to access the CAC website directly.

United Nations Economic Commission for Europe

In 1947 the United Nations Economic Commission for Europe (UNECE) was set up to encourage greater participation among its 55 Members, whilst providing an opportunity for all UN members to participate in its schemes to harmonise technical regulations

Of greatest relevance to the Fresh Quality Guide is the work carried out under its Agricultural Standards Unit. The body elaborates quality standards for agricultural commodities. Used by are used by governments, producers, importers and exporters and other international organisations, the scheme aims to harmonise existing national and international standards to facilitate international trade and ensure high standards of quality in fresh produce. These standards are acknowledged within the EU where no European quality standard for a particular perishable product exists.

Click here to access the Agricultural standards section of the UNECE website.

"The FRESH QUALITY GUIDE has been developed by FRESHFEL EUROPE in collaboration with FUNDACIÓN ANGEL REY. All sections represent an interpretation of the European Community legislation and should be taken as such. Although the content has been written with considerable care and attention, no responsibility lies with Freshfel Europe, Fundación Angel Rey or The European Commission for the content of this site. Original legislative documents should always be consulted where appropriate"