Israel Approves Major Food and Spices Reforms

Israel's Ministry of Health announced the approval of significant food and spices reforms by the Knesset, set to take effect on January 1, 2025. Aimed at easing regulations and boosting product variety, the reforms align with European standards to ensure public health and regulatory certainty.

Israel's Ministry of Health has applauded the Knesset's approval of food and spices reforms, set to be implemented on January 1, 2025. According to the Ministry, these reforms are part of a broader strategy aimed at enhancing regulation, removing trade barriers, and expanding the range of available products while safeguarding public health.

Central to the food reform is a shift towards adopting European regulations, establishing a new food import route based on European legal marketing declarations. This approach will harmonize Israeli standards with European laws, transferring responsibility for product safety and integrity to importers who will be equipped with quality risk management tools.

Furthermore, the reforms will eliminate the requirement for direct contact between importers and manufacturers, while imposing the responsibility for risk management and quality control on both importers and marketers. The Ministry anticipates that these changes will optimize conditions for food imports into Israel and provide greater regulatory certainty for the local industry.