Law No. 279 “On information of consumers about foodstuffs” Country/Territory Moldova, Republic of Document type Legislation Date 2017 (2023) Source FAO, FAOLEX Subject Food & nutrition Keyword Basic legislation Consumer protection Food quality control/food safety Fraud Traceability/product tracing Nutrition Access-to-information Business/industry/corporations Processing/handling Food additives Special dietary uses Packaging/labelling Public health Geographical area CIS (Commonwealth of Independent States), Eastern Europe, Europe, Europe and Central Asia, Landlocked Developing Nations Entry into force notes This Law enters into force on 12 January 2019. Abstract This Law establishes mandatory information regarding foodstuffs to ensure a high level of consumer protection, taking into account differences in perceptions and their needs in the information, while ensuring the proper functioning of the market of the Republic of Moldova. This Law establishes general requirements and responsibilities regulating information on foodstuffs, in particular regarding the labelling of foodstuffs. The Law also provides ways to guarantee consumers the right to information and procedures for providing information on food and nutrition, taking into account the need to provide sufficient flexibility with regard to future changes and new information requirements. It applies to food business operators at all stages of the food chain in the event that their activities relate to informing consumers about foodstuffs, as well as to all foodstuffs intended for the final consumer, including foodstuffs supplied by enterprises catering, and foodstuffs intended for delivery to them. It applies to public catering services provided by transport enterprises. The rules concerning nutrition and labelling of food additives, rules for the labelling of food additives, as well as rules for labelling foodstuffs for special dietary purposes, are approved by the Government. The provision of food information is aimed at ensuring a high level of protection for the health and interests of consumers, providing the end users with the basis for making informed choices and for making safe food choice, in particular with regard to sanitary, economic, environmental, social and ethical aspects. This Law establishes requirements for the free movement of food products that are legally produced and sold, taking into account the need to protect the legitimate interests of producers and to encourage the production of quality products. Mandatory information on foodstuffs provided for in this Law covers the following categories: (a) information about the origin and composition, properties, or other characteristics of a food product; (b) information on consumer health protection and food safety. In particular information about: (a) properties associated with the composition that may harm the health of certain consumer groups; (b) minimum shelf life, storage conditions and safety of use; (c) health effects, including the risks and the consequences that food consumption can be harmful and dangerous; and (d) nutritional information that allows consumers, including those with special dietary needs, to make an informed choice. The food sector operator ensures that the mandatory food information must be present in Romanian and stated directly on the packaging or label of the food product.This Law consists of VI Chapters divided into 42 Articles. Chapter I lays down general provisions. Chapter II regards general information of foodstuffs and categories thereof. Chapter III establishes general requirements for information related to foodstuffs and establishes liability for entrepreneurs of food processing sector. Chapter IV lists mandatory information on foodstuffs. Chapter V lists voluntary information on foodstuffs. Chapter VI regards implementation of this Law, lays down final and transitional provisions. Full text Russian Website lex.justice.md