Food Legislation: Particularities in Spain for Typical Products of the Mediterranean Diet

Abstract The objective of European Union legislation on agriculture, livestock, and food production is to protect the human health. Several studies have shown the benefits of Mediterranean diet on human health. Some basic foods of the Mediterranean diet are produced in Spain. It is the case of bread (soft wheat), olive oil, Iberian cured products or wine, whose legislation is reviewed in the next chapter. It should be noted that, as an EU Member State, Spanish food legislation can be divided into community provisions, state provisions, and autonomic provisions.