Division 2 CHARACTERISTICS OF THE PRODUCTSF1

The products shall as much as possible match the nutritional habits of the beneficiary population. To the extent possible, priority should therefore be given to purchases in the country of operation or a neighbouring country.

The characteristics of the products and their packaging shall respect quality standards laid down in the domestic legislation of the country of origin and/or the country of destination, whichever legislation has the higher quality standard. Where local legislation does not exist, internationally recognised standards such as Codex Alimentarius shall be respected to the extent possible.

In the case that products are purchased in the European Community, their characteristics shall be consistent with the requirements laid down in the Communication from the Commission relating to the characteristics of products to be supplied as Community food aid ^f1 . Furthermore, packaging shall be consistent with the requirements laid down in the Communication from the Commission relating to the packaging of products to be supplied as Community food aid ^f2 .