HRFNAO – definition and processing

19 Jun 2024

Any high risk food and feed not of animal origin (HRFNAO) imported into the EU, cleared for free circulation in the EU and re-exported to Great Britain is considered high-risk. This includes, but is not limited to peanuts, dried grapes and herbs such as coriander and basil. For a more complete list of HRFNAO products please see Implementing regulation - 2021/608 - EN - EUR-Lex (europa.eu)

HRFNAO that is imported into the EU remains a product of the country of origin unless it is processed in the EU. In terms of food law ‘processing’ means any action that substantially alters the initial product. Processing includes: heating, smoking, curing, maturing, drying, marinating, extraction, extrusion or a combination of those processes. Examples of ‘unprocessed products’ include (but are not limited to): divided, parted, severed, sliced, boned, minced, skinned, ground, cut, cleaned, trimmed, husked, milled, chilled, frozen, deep-frozen or thawed.

You can watch a short presentation - CHED Part 1 import notification for HRFNAO via the EU to GB from 31/01/2024 (CHED D) (youtube.com) on importing HRFNAO or read the Import high-risk food and feed of non-animal origin from the EU to Great Britain on GOV.UK and the Food Standards Agency guidance on Importing high-risk food and feed of non-animal origin into GB. Import high risk food and feed of non-animal origin from the EU to Great Britain - GOV.UK (www.gov.uk)