Slovenia Becomes Next Country To Introduce Restrictions On Trans-Fatty Acids In Foodstuffs

Among the constantly evolving measures aimed at consumer protection and health is the introduction of maximum permitted levels of trans-fatty acids ("TFA") in foodstuffs. Slovenia has joined certain other (EU) countries, which already restricted the content of TFA in food, by adopting new rules laying down maximum permitted levels of TFA in foodstuffs (Pravilnik o največji dovoljeni vsebnosti transmaačobnih kislin v živilih, "TFA Rules").

Following the notification procedure at the European Commission in accordance with Directive (EU) 2015/1535 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 9 September 2015, the TFA Rules were adopted on 19 March 2018 and published a day later.

The TFA Rules shall apply as of 4 April 2018 with a one-year transition period.

Maximum levels and scope of application

The maximum permitted TFA level in foodstuffs is 2 g per 100 g of total fat content in the foodstuff applying to the following products (prepackaged and non-prepackaged):

vegetable oils, fats and fat emulsions; and foodstuffs containing such oils, fats and fat emulsions. Animal oils and fats as well as foodstuffs in which the content of TFA is the result of their natural presence in animal oils and fats forming an integral part of these foods are explicitly excluded from the application of the TFA Rules.

Who will have to observe the TFA Rules?

The TFA Rules apply to all relevant foodstuffs marketed in Slovenia, regardless of their country of origin.

That said, all manufacturers of products containing TFA, either based in another EU Member State or a third country, who market or intend to market their products in Slovenia, are obliged to follow the TFA Rules.

Non-compliant products on the market prior to the TFA Rules

The entry into force of the TFA...