The political and economic union of European member states whose food law shapes standards worldwide. Its General Food Law, additive approvals, labelling rules and contaminant limits govern one of the world’s largest food markets, and its rapid-alert system (RASFF) coordinates food safety across borders. EU food law rests on Regulation (EC) 178/2002, establishing EFSA, the precautionary principle and farm-to-fork traceability. Exporters worldwide formulate to EU limits on pesticides, contaminants and additives because the EU market is so large; the RASFF portal publishes every border rejection and alert in real time.