1.2.2002 Official Journal of the European Communities L31/1 (Acts whose publication is obligatory) REGULATION (EC) No 178/2002 OF THE EUROPEAN PARLIAMENT AND OF THE COUNCIL of 28 January 2002 laying down the general principles and requirements of food law, establishing the European Food Safety Authority and laying down procedures in matters of food safety THE EUROPEAN PARLIAMENT AND THE COUNCIL OF THE EUROPEAN UNION, Having regard to the Treaty establishing the European Community, and in particular Articles 37, 95, 133 and Article 152(4)(b) thereof, Having regard to the proposal from the Commission ('), Having regard to the opinion of the Economic and Social Committee (%), Having regard to the opinion of the Committee of the Regions (3), Acting in accordance with the procedure laid down in Article 251 of the Treaty (%), Whereas: (1)  The free movement of safe and wholesome food is an essential aspect of the internal market and contributes significantly to the health and well-being of citizens, and to their social and economic interests. 20 A high level of protection of human life and health should be assured in the pursuit of Community policies. (3)  The free movement of food and feed within the Community can be achieved only if food and feed safety requirements do not differ significantly from Member State to Member State. (4)  There are important differences in relation to concepts, principles and procedures between the food laws of () O] C 96 E 27.3.2001, p. 247. () O] C 155, 29.5.2001, p. 32. (*) Opinion delivered on 14 June 2001 (not yet published in the Offi- cial Journal). (*) Opinion of the European Parliament of 12 June 2001 (not yet published in the Official Journal), Council Common Position of 17 September 2001 (not yet published in the Official Journal) and Decision of the European Parliament of 11 December 2001 (not yet published in the Official Journal). Council Decision of 21 January 2002. the Member States. When Member States adopt meas- ures governing food, these differences may impede the free movement of food, create unequal conditions of competition, and may thereby directly affect the func- tioning of the internal market. (5)  Accordingly, it is necessary to approximate these concepts, principles and procedures so as to form a common basis for measures governing food and feed taken in the Member States and at Community level. It is however necessary to provide for sufficient time for the adaptation of any conflicting provisions in existing legis- lation, both at national and Community level, and to provide that, pending such adaptation, the relevant legis- lation be applied in the light of the principles set out in the present Regulation. (6)  Water is ingested directly or indirectly like other foods, thereby contributing to the overall exposure of a consumer to ingested substances, including chemical and microbiological contaminants. However, as the quality of water intended for human consumption is already controlled by Council Directives 80/778/EEC (°) and 98/ 83/EC (%), it suffices to consider water after the point of compliance referred to in Article 6 of Directive 98/83/ EC. (7)  Within the context of food law it is appropriate to include requirements for feed, including its production and use where that feed is intended for food-producing animals. This is without prejudice to the similar require- ments which have been applied so far and which will be applied in the future in feed legislation applicable to all animals, including pets. (8)  The Community has chosen a high level of health protection as appropriate in the development of food law, which it applies in a non-discriminatory manner whether food or feed is traded on the internal market or internationally. () O] L 229, 30.8.1980, p. 11. Directive repealed by Directive 98/ 83|EC. (9 OJ L 330, 5.12.1998, p. 32.