Importing gelatine
Tuesday 30 October 2007
There are strict rules on importing gelatine and foods containing gelatine.
Each batch (or 'consignment') of gelatine you import must:
- come from a country approved to export that type of product to the European Union (EU)
- be accompanied by animal health and public health certification
- come from EU-approved premises
- enter the EU through a Border Inspection Post (BIP) where veterinary checks must be carried out
Remember that general UK regulations will also apply.
Lists of establishments approved to export animal products to the EU can be found below.
The Agency is responsible for imports from non-EU countries of gelatine capsules (both filled and empty) for food supplements for human consumption. European Commission (EC) guidance that harmonises the requirements for the import of these products can be found below.
Animal Health, an executive agency of the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (Defra) is responsible for imports of products of animal origin, including gelatine for food use, other than gelatine capsules for food supplements, and specific details of import conditions can be found on the Defra website at the link below. Alternatively, email ahitchelmsford@animalhealth.gsi.gov.uk, or telephone 01245 358383 for more information.
Composite products
A composite product is a foodstuff that contains both processed animal products and products of plant origin and where the processing of the primary product is essential to the production of the final foodstuff.
Information on importing composite products containing gelatine can be found at the link below.
Unfilled gelatine capsules do not need to be imported through a Border Inspection Post and are not subject to veterinary checks.
Related links
(pdf 323KB)