NVWA: Handbook of regulations on food for specific groups

The Dutch Food and Consumer Product Safety Authority (NVWA) has compiled and published a manual of regulations for specific groups. The handbook focuses on nutrition for specific groups such as infants, young children, sick people and overweight people. Topics such as bottle feeding and toddler milk, dietary foods for medical use, meal substitutes, etc. are covered. The manual is intended for professionals and can be consulted via the website of the NVWA.

Laws and regulations

The basis for the European rules on products for specific groups is Regulation (EU) No 609/2013, the so-called Framework Regulation. The Regulation is the legal basis for European product-specific regulations for infant formula, processed cereal-based food and baby food, food for special medical purposes and food substitute products for weight control. The Framework Regulation also contains more detailed provisions that apply to one or more products for specific groups, and the so-called Union list of substances (e.g. vitamins, minerals and other substances) that may be added to these products. These European regulations have been implemented in the Netherlands via the Commodities Act Decree on Special Food 2016. The Handbook on Nutrition Regulations for Specific Groups deals with this in detail.

Mandatory notification

The Handbook of Legislation on Nutrition for Specific Groups is published on the site of the NVWA. There you will also find the form that entrepreneurs have to fill in when placing certain categories of food for specific groups on the market.