The Ministry of Agriculture and Food is preparing a new law on food

The growing online trade of food products and goods in recent years necessitates a complete review and supplementation of the current food law. In practice, commercial relations over the internet are not regulated by the current law, which has been in force since 2003. Without effective legal measures for the sale of food, it is essentially impossible to conduct quality control over these services. "The need for a new food law is due to gaps in the existing law, as well as the need for a new philosophy and architecture that corresponds to European principles," shared in the program "Before All" Dr. Ilian Kostov – advisor to the Minister of Agriculture and Food. The draft of the new food safety law envisages the adoption of a special text stating that only merchants with registered food trade establishments will have the right to engage in distance food trade. New requirements will also be introduced for vehicles transporting food products.

The goal is to trace the delivery path, from which warehouse it comes, to which company it belongs, and accordingly, who should be penalized in case of irregularities. The new law is being prepared by the Ministry of Agriculture and Food, together with the Bulgarian industry and producers.

Parallel to the Food Law, work is also being done on the Food Chain Law, which will include texts that will allow control authorities to better supervise unregistered food production facilities. A National Food Advisory Council to the Minister of Agriculture and Food will also be established, with which food quality and safety become a state policy.

The new food law is expected to be submitted to parliament for consideration in May 2016.