ABSTRACT
Food rules are as old as the first exchanges of foodstuffs between fishermen, pastors, farmers, and with the artisans of the inhabited centers. It is essential to know the legal context of Traceability because it interacts on its implementation. The chapter situated Traceability at International level (Authorities and global sources) and at National level where national texts are used for the application, monitoring and sanctioning of traceability. Food law is an integral part of consumer law.
The chapter differentiates the Great Codes, texts that are often grouped by subject in codes, thus making the practice easier from Voluntary standards which are elaborated and supervised by the public authorities. The complexity of sources and texts inevitably add complexity to the understanding of traceability because it is necessary to combine these different rules with each other. There are keys to understand classifying and prioritizing this mass of rules: general obligation of information, transparency, traceability, general safety obligation, general obligation of conformity, general obligation of safety and product liability.
The author gives some definitions as risk analysis, assessment, management, precautionary principle, self-monitoring, conformity, vigilance and responsibility, withdrawal, recall and the Sanctions as penalties for lack or defective traceability.
