As of 1 January 2005, traceability is now a legal requirement as a consequence of Article 18 of the EU General Food Law Regulation no 178/2002. Articles 19 and 20 also impose new requirements in terms of food withdrawal, recall and notification. Regulation EC 178/2002 lays down the general principles and requirements of food law across the European Union, establishes the European Food Safety Authority and sets out procedures in matters of food safety. The principal aim of the Regulation is to protect human health and consumers' interests in relation to food. It applies to all stages of production, processing and distribution of food and feed, but there is an exemption for primary production for private domestic use, and the domestic preparation, handling, or storage of food for private domestic consumption.
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