Feed safety

Animal feed is a key part of the food chain. To protect both animal and human health, feed must be safe, hygienic and produced to high standards. In the EU, strong rules ensure that feed does not pose risks — helping protect consumers and maintain trust in the food supply.

How the EU ensures feed safety

EU legislation covers all types of feed — including feed materials, compound feed, additives and premixtures — to make sure they:

• meet safety standards and do not harm animals or people
• comply with limits on contaminants such as heavy metals, mycotoxins and dioxins
• are clearly labelled and fully traceable.

Only authorised additives can be used, and they must be pre-approved based on a safety assessment by the European Food Safety Authority (EFSA). Additives must be safe, effective and of good quality before they are allowed on the EU market.

Hygiene rules for feed businesses

All feed-business operators must be registered or approved by national authorities. They must follow good hygiene practices, apply Hazard Analysis and Critical Control Points (HACCP) principles and ensure:

• clean and pest-free facilities
• safe storage and transport
• staff trained in hygiene and feed handling
• accurate documentation and record-keeping.

Authorities carry out regular checks and inspections to ensure compliance and maintain high feed-safety standards across the EU.

Traceability and emergency response

All feed must be traceable — both back to its source and forward to the next user. This enables fast and targeted action in case of a feed safety issue, such as product recalls or investigations.

To support quick and coordinated action across the EU, the Rapid Alert System for Food and Feed (RASFF) allows national authorities to share information in real time and protect public and animal health.