Article 1
1. This Directive shall apply to quick-frozen foods intended for human consumption, hereinafter referred to as 'quick-frozen foodstuffs'. 2. For the purposes of this Directive 'quick-frozen foodstuffs' means foodstuffs - which have undergone a suitable freezing process known as 'quick-freezing' whereby the zone of maximum crystallization is crossed as rapidly as possible, depending on the type of product, and the resulting temperature of the product (after thermal stabilization) is continuously maintained at a level of -18 °C or lower at all points, and - which are marketed in such a way as to indicate that they possess this characteristic. For the purposes of this Directive, ice-cream and other edible ices shall not be regarded as quick-frozen foodstuffs. 3. This Directive shall apply without prejudice to Community provisions relating to: (a) the common organization of markets in the agricultural and fisheries sectors; (b) veterinary hygiene.