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
News from the EU Food Loss and Waste Prevention Hub - March 2024
Welcome to the March edition of the Hub’s newsletter, bringing you the latest news and resources in food loss and waste prevention.
Animal Welfare:
Commission publishes Staff Working Document on the “Dogs and Cats” proposal.
Open Consultation: Maize DP202216
EFSA published a new opinion on genetically modified maize for food and feed uses on 20 March. 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.
EU Code of Conduct on Responsible Food Business and Marketing Practices
Mapping Report 2023
Report for 2022 on the results from the monitoring of veterinary medicinal product residues and other substances in live animals and animal products
The report summarises the monitoring data collected in 2022 on the presence of residues of veterinary medicinal products and certain substances in live animals and animal products in the EU Member States, Iceland and Norway.
Commission welcomes political agreement on Plant Health Law
The Commission welcomes the political agreement reached by the European Parliament and the Council of the EU on new rules proposed by the Commission on plant health.
Agri-Food Fraud:
Commission publishes its first monthly report
News from the EU Food Loss and Waste Prevention Hub - February 2024
Welcome to the February edition of the Hub’s newsletter, bringing you the latest news and resources in food loss and waste prevention.
Food safety:
Commission launches 4-week feedback period on ban of BPA in food contact materials
News from the EU Food Loss and Waste Prevention Hub - January 2024
Welcome to the January edition of the Hub’s newsletter, bringing you the latest news and resources in food loss and waste prevention.