CPV 15 — Food, beverages, tobacco and related products Te...

Food, beverages, tobacco and related products under CPV division 15 represent one of the broadest supply categories in EU public procurement. Contracting authorities include hospitals, schools, prisons, military establishments, government canteens, national food reserve agencies, and social care providers. Collectively, EU public food procurement is estimated at over €60 billion annually — the majority conducted through national procedures below TED thresholds, but with significant volumes published on TED for large framework agreements and central purchasing body programmes.

EU Green Public Procurement (GPP) criteria for food and catering services have been adopted by the European Commission, providing contracting authorities with a voluntary framework that specifies organic content minimums, seasonal produce requirements, certified sustainable fisheries, and reduced packaging standards. Suppliers targeting food procurement contracts should be aware that many northern European contracting authorities (Denmark, Sweden, Netherlands) apply GPP criteria as mandatory minimum standards, while southern and eastern member states more often use them as award criteria. Food safety management systems (HACCP), allergen traceability, and cold chain documentation are standard qualification requirements across all jurisdictions.

Contract notices under CPV division 15 are published by contracting authorities across all 27 EU member states on TED Europa. Verify current deadlines directly on TED before beginning bid preparation, as corrigenda (correction notices) may have modified the original published deadline. Estimated values shown are from the original contract notice — final awarded values are disclosed in Contract Award Notices published after the procedure concludes.

Frequently Asked Questions — CPV 15

What types of food contracts appear on TED?

TED food procurement notices (CPV 15) include dairy products (CPV 15500000), bakery products (CPV 15600000), meat and fish (CPV 15100000/15200000), fresh fruit and vegetables (CPV 15300000), beverages (CPV 15900000), and catering supplies broadly. Large hospital and prison catering framework agreements covering multiple product categories are among the highest-value notices. School meal programme contracts are often managed at regional or municipal level.

Do EU food contracts require organic certification?

Organic certification requirements vary by contracting authority and member state. The EU Green Public Procurement criteria for food recommend minimum 10% organic content by spend, but this is not EU-wide mandatory. Some member states (Denmark targets 90% organic in public food) apply much higher standards. Where organic is specified, suppliers must hold EU organic certification under Regulation 2018/848. Check each tender's technical specifications for applicable requirements.

What food safety certifications are required for EU public food contracts?

Minimum requirements typically include: HACCP food safety management plan, compliance with Regulation (EC) 852/2004 on food hygiene, allergen management procedures under Regulation (EU) 1169/2011, and for meat products, veterinary establishment authorisation. Premium contracts may also require BRC Global Standard for Food Safety or ISO 22000 certification. Specific requirements are listed in each tender's selection criteria.

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TenderMetric — Independent EU procurement intelligence platform. Not affiliated with the EU Publications Office, the European Commission, or TED (Tenders Electronic Daily). Tender data is sourced from TED for informational purposes only; always verify procurement notices directly at ted.europa.eu before submitting a bid. Full Disclaimer · Last Reviewed: April 2026 · Data Methodology