3. Regulatory framework for the cold chain

The 1990s marked a turning point in the food industry's approach to product quality and safety issues. At regulatory level in Europe, this development took the form of the "New Approach": greater responsibility was conferred on producers and companies marketing products. To promote harmonization of national regulations, the European authorities decided to limit regulation to the essential requirements of protecting public health and the environment, informing consumers, ensuring fair trading and the need for public control.