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:
Food 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
The European Commission has published its Health and Food Audits and Analysis work programme for 2026, aimed at keeping the highest standards of food and feed safety, animal health and welfare, plant health and in certain areas of human health, across the European Union (EU).
The monthly report includes "non-compliances with fraud suspicions" of cross-border nature identified and shared between members of the Alert and Cooperation Network (ACN).
EFSA published a new opinion on the assessment of genetically oilseed rape LBFLFK for food and feed uses on 5 November 2025. 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 soybean MON 94637 for food and feed uses on 23 October. In accordance with Regulation (EC) No 1829/2003 on genetically modified food and feed, the public may make comments on this opinion for one month,
The European Commission has unveiled a comprehensive report on the implementation and compliance of the plant passport system across Member States. These vital passports serve as official labels, ensuring that transported plants within the EU meet stringent plant health requirements.
EFSA republished the Scientific Opinion on application (EFSA-GMO-NL-2019-162) for authorisation of soy leghemoglobin produced from genetically modified Komagataella phaffii on 30 September 2025. The public may make comments on this opinion for one month.
The Official Control Regulation requires Member States organising risk-based controls to identify and combat fraudulent and deceptive practices along the agri-food chain.
The Commission authorised one genetically modified maize for use in food and animal feed, following the European Food Safety Authority’s (EFSA) scientific assessment concluding it is as safe as its conventional counterpart.
On 24 June 2025 the Commission opened a call for expressions of interest (updated on 18 September 2025) for the position of members on the Management Board. The final deadline for submission of applications is 6 October 2025 at 12:00 (noon).
The Official Control Regulation requires Member States organising risk-based controls to identify and combat fraudulent and deceptive practices along the agri-food chain.