A service has been launched in a bid to help manufacturers comply with complex EU regulation.

EU Food Comply is available to European food developers and offers a law and regulatory compliance service.

"Because of the increasingly demanding legislative environment, we are receiving a growing number of demands for support in the areas of novel foods, nutrition and health claims, labelling and reformulation and additives," said founder and director Dr Cecilia Kühn.

The service will help manufacturers keep down costs, she added: "The alternative has been to first consult a lawyer, who may not have a technological understanding.

"This not only slows down the process but also increases costs."

EU Food Comply is a collaborative service of the Law and Governance Group of Wageningen University, the education service Foodlink Forum, the European Institute for Food Law and Bruin-Kühn & Partners assistance.

EU Food Comply claims to be able to get rapid answers to food manufacturers from experts working within key organisations such as DG Sanco, the European Food Safety Authority, and the various food law bodies within Europe.

It covers EU laws on food labelling, quantitative ingredient declarations, allergens, health and nutrition claims, novel foods and food additives.