Brussels, 02/02/2005 (Agence Europe) - Guidelines to facilitate the implementation of major requirements in the General Food Law that entered into force on 1 January are now available on-line. They will help to implement Regulation 178/2002, laying out the general principles and specific demands in food legislation in order to guarantee food safety and a functioning internal market. Member States and Commission representatives at the Standing Committee on the Food Chain and Animal Health last December gave the green light to the document on traceability of food products, withdrawal of dangerous food products from the market, operator responsibilities and requirements applicable to imports and exports. In a press statement Markos Kyprianou, Commissioner for Health and Consumer Protection, said “The guidelines address many of the practical issues raised in recent months by food and feed business operators and will help both businesses and national authorities to implement the new requirements.” The guidance document is currently available in English at: (http: //europa.eu.int/commfoodfoodfoodlawguidanceindex_en.htm).