The Federation of Commerce and Distribution determines the microbiological criteria applicable to food products. Annual updates are frequent.
What is the FCD?
The French Federation of Commerce and Distribution is a professional organization. It brings together various entities, including major retailers.
This organization is involved in several areas:
- Food safety
- Sustainable development
- Economic relations,
- etc.
There are about twenty amino acids, nine of which are considered "essential" because they cannot be produced by the human body. They must be obtained through diet.
The essential amino acids are:
- Leucine,
- Isoleucine
- Valine,
- Threonine,
- Methionine
- Phenylalanine,
- Tryptophan,
- Lysine,
- Histidine.
These amino acids can be naturally obtained from various foods of animal or plant origin.
Who is concerned?
The FCD publishes specifications for activities in the agri-food sector:
- In addition to the food products available "by the slice" in the workshop and in the store,
- And to the raw materials in their initial industrial packaging.
Store brands and budget brands are also affected.
The microbiological criteria described in these specifications guarantee the food safety of products sold in France. They meet the health requirements of the main food categories.
What are the developments?
Changes are very frequent. In 2024, several changes took place, namely:
- Removal of analytical methods
- Added the parameter “Listeria monocytogenes” to be monitored for certain categories:
- Olives
- Sandwich with raw cured meats
- Sandwich with raw milk cheese
- Another cold sandwich
- Dry surface after cleaning
- Changes in instructions concerning pathogenic vibrios
- Changes to food categories
For more information: https://www.fcd.fr/documentation-fcd/
