Food & Beverage Industry

Food regulations define the trust between producer and consumer. Every label, ingredient, and claim must withstand scientific, regulatory, and public scrutiny. We provide end-to-end guidance on food-safety compliance, traceability, and labelling accuracy, as well as representation in recall procedures or disputes with authorities. Our practice extends to advertising, health-claim substantiation, and packaging sustainability requirements. We also structure supply and franchise agreements for restaurant groups and beverage distributors. Combining technical knowledge and regulatory insight, we ensure that quality, safety, and compliance reinforce rather than limit commercial growth in this essential sector.

Relevant legislation:

European (EU)

• General Food Law Regulation (EC) 178/2002 – The General Food Law Regulation lays down the foundations of EU food safety policy, ensuring that food placed on the market is safe, traceable, and properly labelled. It introduces key principles such as risk analysis, precaution, and transparency, and establishes the European Food Safety Authority (EFSA) to provide independent scientific advice for protecting consumer health across the EU.

• Food Information to Consumers (FIC) Regulation (EU) 1169/2011 – The FIC Regulation harmonises food labelling and consumer information rules across the European Union. It ensures that all food products provide clear, accurate, and accessible details about ingredients, allergens, nutritional values, and origin. The Regulation helps consumers make informed and safe choices, while promoting transparency and fairness in the EU food market.

• Hygiene Package: Regulations (EC) 852/2004, 853/2004, 854/2004 (as recast) – The EU Hygiene Package sets the core hygiene and safety standards for food and feed businesses along the entire supply chain. These Regulations establish rules for handling, processing, and placing food of both animal and non-animal origin on the market, ensuring consistent public health protection and traceability across all Member States. The recast modernises controls and integrates a more risk-based, preventive approach to food safety.

• Nutrition & Health Claims Regulation (EC) 1924/2006 – This Regulation governs the use of nutrition and health claims on food labels and advertisements within the EU. It ensures that any statement about a product’s nutritional value or health benefits is truthful, scientifically proven, and not misleading. By standardising claims such as “low fat” or “supports immunity,” it promotes consumer trust and fair competition in the food sector.

• Contaminants Regulation (EC) 1881/2006 – The Contaminants Regulation sets maximum levels for harmful substances that may be present in food, such as heavy metals, mycotoxins, or pesticide residues. It ensures that all food sold within the EU is safe for human consumption by preventing exposure to contaminants that could pose health risks, thereby protecting consumer safety and public health.

• Official Controls Regulation (EU) 2017/625 – The Official Controls Regulation establishes a comprehensive EU system for inspections and enforcement across the food and agriculture sectors. It ensures that businesses comply with rules on food safety, animal health, plant protection, and animal welfare, creating consistent control standards in all Member States. The Regulation strengthens consumer confidence and fair trade by guaranteeing uniform supervision from farm to table.

• Materials/Articles in Contact with Food (Reg. (EC) 1935/2004) – This Regulation sets the safety requirements for materials and articles that come into contact with food, such as packaging, containers, and kitchenware. It ensures that no harmful substances migrate into food and that materials are manufactured in line with good practice standards, protecting consumer health and food quality across the EU market.

Bulgaria

• Food Act

• Veterinary-Medical Activity Act (animal-origin products)

• Health Act (public health powers)

• Consumer Protection Act (claims/marketing)