The European Commission aims to assure a high level of food safety and animal & plant health within the EU through coherent Farm to Fork measures and adequate monitoring, while ensuring an effective internal market.
The implementation of this integrated Food Safety policy in the EU involves various actions, namely:
- to assure effective control systems and evaluate compliance with EU standards in the food safety and quality, animal health, animal welfare, animal nutrition and plant health sectors within the EU and in non-EU countries in relation to their exports to the EU;
- to manage international relations with non-EU countries and international organisations concerning food safety, animal health, animal welfare, animal nutrition and plant health;
- to manage relations with the European Food Safety Authority (EFSA) and ensure science-based risk management.
The integrated approach to food safety is covered by the following web sections:
Safety
Every European citizen has the right to know how the food they eat is produced, processed, packaged, labelled and sold.
The central goal of the European Commission's Food Safety policy is to ensure a high level of protection of human health regarding the food industry — Europe’s largest manufacturing and employment sector.
The Commission's guiding principle, primarily set out in its White Paper on Food Safety, is to apply an integrated approach from farm to fork covering all sectors of the food chain.
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Animals
The objective of the Animal Health policy is to raise the health status and improve the conditions of the animals in the EU, in particular food-producing animals, whilst permitting intra-Community trade and imports of animals and animal products in accordance with the appropriate health standards and international obligations.
The general aim of the Animal Welfare policy is to ensure that animals don’t need to endure avoidable pain or suffering and obliges the owner/keeper of animals to respect minimum welfare requirements.
The EU zootechnical legislation aims at the promotion of free trade in breeding animals and their genetic material considering the sustainability of breeding programs and preservation of genetic resources.
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Plants
The European Commission takes actively part in the setting of international phytosanitary and quality standards for plants and plant products.
EU legislation has, over the years, provided for the harmonised protection of our 'green resources'. Issues like pesticides, plant variety rights or Genetically Modified Organisms are some of the topics you will find in this section.
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Horizontal topics related to Food Safety
A selection of topics that span across more than one of the main pillars of the Directorate-General for Health and Food Safety (DG SANTE).
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News
We are pleased to announce the launch of EU grants for projects to reduce consumer food waste! The call for proposals is open to all interested stakeholders, with a deadline to apply by 25 September 2024.
Monthly summary of articles on food fraud - May, 2024. Food fraud cases: milk, herbs and spices, fruits and vegetables, olive oil, seafood, rice, meat, honey and beeswax, carbonated drinks, eggs, sugar, alcoholic beverages, flour.
The European Commission has appointed Lorena Boix Alonso to the function of Deputy Director-General responsible for ‘Public Health, Cancer and Health security', ‘Digital EU4Health and Health Systems Modernisation', ‘Medical Products and Innovation' within DG SANTE
Welcome to the May edition of the Hub’s newsletter, bringing you the latest news and resources in food loss and waste prevention.
Monthly summary of articles on food fraud - April, 2024. Food fraud cases: honey, wine and alcoholic beverages, rice, spices, sugar, fruits and vegetables, meat, seafood, vegetable oils, milk and dairy products, non-alcoholic beverages, eggs, coffee.
Welcome to the April edition of the Hub’s newsletter, bringing you the latest news and resources in food loss and waste prevention.
EFSA published a new opinion on renewal of genetically modified maize MON 89034 × 1507 × MON 88017 × 59122 and 8 subcombinations for food and feed uses on 29 April 2024. In accordance with Regulation (EC) No 1829/2003 on genetically modified food and feed, the public may make comments on this opinio
EFSA published a new opinion on renewal of genetically modified maize MON 89034 × 1507 × NK603 for food and feed uses on 26 April 2024. In accordance with Regulation (EC) No 1829/2003 on genetically modified food and feed, the public may make comments on this opinion during 1 month.
EFSA published a new opinion on genetically modified maize for food and feed uses on 26 April. In accordance with Regulation (EC) No 1829/2003 on genetically modified food and feed, the public may make comments on this opinion for a 1 month period.
Member States endorse withdrawal of smoke flavourings from EU market