Israel Updates Food Labeling and Safety Standards

Israel enhanced public health protection in the food sector by updating consumer labeling requirements and aligning with EU food safety directives.

Regulation Analysis: Israel’s Updated Food Contaminant Labeling Requirements Aligned with EU Directives

Israel has strengthened its public health protections in the food sector by adopting and updating maximum contaminant levels in foodstuffs, closely aligning with European Union (EU) Regulation (EC) No 2023/915 and its subsequent amendments. The key update introduces maximum permissible levels of inorganic arsenic in fish and seafood, effective 1 January 2026¹. Below is a structured breakdown of the regulatory framework, obligations, and timeline.

1. Legal Framework and Adoption of EU Regulations

Israel’s Public Health Protection (Food) Law, 5776-2015 (hereafter, the Food Law) serves as the primary legal instrument for food safety. The law incorporates EU contaminant regulations through Amendment No. 10, which adopts EU Regulation (EC) No 2023/915 with minor deviations and exceptions¹. Key milestones include:

• Initial Adoption:
  • EU Regulation (EC) No 1881/2006 (setting maximum contaminant levels) was indirectly adopted into Israeli law via the Economic Plan Law (2021-2022), through Amendment No. 3 to the Food Law, and applied from 1 January 2023¹.
  • This regulation was replaced by EU Regulation (EC) No 2023/915, adopted in Israel as part of Amendment No. 10 to the Food Law and notified under G/TBT/N/ISR/1332/Rev.1¹.

• Current Update:
  • Israel proposes to fully apply EU Regulation (EC) No 2023/915, including amendments introduced by Commission Regulation (EU) 2025/1891 (effective 17 September 2025), which sets maximum levels of inorganic arsenic in fish and seafood¹.
  • The updated regulation will enter into force in Israel on 1 January 2026, following a public consultation period ending 7 March 2026¹.

2. Key Requirements and Deviations

A. Maximum Contaminant Levels

The Second Annex A of the Food Law incorporates EU Regulation (EC) No 2023/915, with the following specifics:

• Inorganic Arsenic in Fish and Seafood:
  • The primary update introduces maximum permissible levels of inorganic arsenic for fish and seafood, as defined in Commission Regulation (EU) 2025/1891¹.
  • Specific thresholds (e.g., mg/kg) are not detailed in the provided sources but would align with EU limits (e.g., 0.05 mg/kg for certain fish species)¹.
• Other Contaminants:
  • The regulation covers additional contaminants (e.g., mycotoxins, heavy metals, dioxins), but the current focus is on inorganic arsenic¹.

B. Deviations and Exceptions

• Columns A and C of Annex A:
  • Israel’s adoption includes minor deviations from the EU regulation, as outlined in columns A (Israel-specific requirements) and C (EU requirements) of the Second Annex A¹.
• Exceptions:
  • Section 3A(a1) to (a5) of the Food Law lists exceptions where the EU limits do not apply or are modified for Israel¹. Specific exceptions are not detailed in the sources but may include local agricultural or processing conditions.

C. Labeling and Compliance Obligations

• Consumer Labeling:
  • While the sources emphasize contaminant limits, they do not explicitly detail labeling requirements for inorganic arsenic or other contaminants. However, compliance with EU Regulation (EC) No 2023/915 implies adherence to EU labeling standards for contaminants, including:
  • Mandatory disclosure of contaminant levels if exceeding thresholds.
  • Traceability requirements for high-risk products (e.g., seafood)¹.
• Enforcement:
  • The Food Service Administration (under the Ministry of Health) is responsible for enforcement, including inspections, testing, and penalties for non-compliance¹.

3. Timeline and Implementation

4. Stakeholder Engagement and Compliance Steps

A. Public Consultation

• The Ministry of Economy and Industry (via the WTO-TBT Enquiry Point) opened a 60-day public consultation on the proposed changes, ending 7 March 2026¹.
• Stakeholders (e.g., food producers, importers, retailers) may submit comments to:
  • Email: Yael.Friedgut@Service.economy.gov.il
  • Authority: Israel’s WTO-TBT Enquiry Point¹.

B. Compliance Requirements for Businesses

1. Testing and Certification:
   • Food businesses must test products for inorganic arsenic (and other contaminants) to ensure compliance with EU 2023/915 limits¹.
   • Laboratories must use EU-approved methods for contaminant analysis.
2. Labeling Updates:
   • If contaminant levels exceed thresholds, mandatory labeling (e.g., "Contains inorganic arsenic") may be required, though specific Israeli labeling rules are not detailed in the sources¹.
3. Record-Keeping:
   • Businesses must maintain traceability records for high-risk products (e.g., seafood) to demonstrate compliance¹.
4. Import/Export Controls:
   • Importers must ensure EU-compliant certificates for seafood and other regulated products¹.

5. Rationale and Objectives

The update pursues three primary goals:

1. Harmonization:
   • Align Israeli food safety standards with EU directives to reduce trade barriers and facilitate market access¹.
2. Public Health Protection:
   • Mitigate risks from inorganic arsenic (a carcinogen) in fish and seafood, addressing an "urgent problem" for consumer safety¹.
3. Economic Efficiency:
   • Streamline regulatory processes, reduce compliance costs for businesses, and enhance productivity¹.

Summary Answer

Israel has updated its food contaminant regulations by fully adopting EU Regulation (EC) No 2023/915, including Commission Regulation (EU) 2025/1891, which introduces maximum levels of inorganic arsenic in fish and seafood¹. The changes, effective 1 January 2026, align with EU standards while incorporating minor deviations and exceptions under the Public Health Protection (Food) Law, 5776-2015¹. Businesses must comply with testing, labeling, and traceability requirements, with enforcement overseen by the Food Service Administration¹. The update aims to harmonize trade, protect public health, and reduce compliance costs, following a public consultation period ending 7 March 2026¹. For further details, stakeholders may refer to G/TBT/N/ISR/1409 and the Second Annex A of the Food Law¹.

Sources

1. ↩ Public Health Protection (Food) Notice (Application of Changes to the Annex to the European Union Directives) (Regulation 2023/915), 5786 – 2025 https://docs.wto.org/dol2fe/Pages/SS/directdoc.aspx?filename=Q:/G/TBTN26/ISR1409.pdf&Open=True