Food of non-animal origin

Food of non-animal origin (plant origin) is any substance or product whether processed, partially processed or unprocessed intended to be, or reasonably expected to be ingested by humans (food of plant origin).

As the food business operator, the importer must ensure that all the prescribed requirements are met regarding safety, hygiene, quality and identification of food it imports in order to market in the EU.

The authority competent for food of non-animal origin is the Administration of the Republic of Slovenia for Food Safety, Veterinary and Plant Protection (hereinafter referred to as: UVHVVR). However, food supplements and foodstuffs for particular nutritional and medical use are under the competence of the Health Inspectorate of the Republic of Slovenia.

Food of non-animal origin which is monitored by the UVHVVR is released for free circulation in the Republic of Slovenia only after customs authorities have performed general documentary and identity checks which are carried out at random or on the basis of risk assessment. When the annual sampling plan prepared by the UVHVVR is implemented, customs authorities inform the local office of the UVHVVR about the established inconsistencies.

There is a list of food of non-animal origin subject to an increased level of official controls in Annex I to Regulation No 669/2009. This list is reviewed several times a year. Consignments of such food must be declared to a competent UVHVVR inspector on a common entry document (CED) at the point of first entry into the EU. Apart from an increased level of official controls on food, there are emergency measures laid down in relation to Regulation No 178/2002 which have been adopted regarding specific plant products, mushrooms and other food due to new risks to health. Consignments containing such products must be declared to a competent UVHVVR inspector on the prescribed CED form or any other prescribed form at the point of first entry into the EU. Checks on food of non-animal origin which are subject to an increased level of control and emergency measures can be performed within the country at points of control authorised for that purpose.