Foods

Materials that living organisms can ingest. Usually solid, they contain various nutrients that can be metabolised to produce energy and sustain life and growth. Legally, the term covers any substance or product intended to be ingested by humans, including drinks, chewing gum and water intentionally incorporated into food. EU food law defines food as any substance or product, whether processed or not, intended to be ingested by humans — expressly including drinks, chewing gum and water intentionally incorporated, but excluding feed, live animals, medicinal products and cosmetics. The definition’s boundaries matter for labelling, additive and novel-food rules.