Brussels,

Food Safety

Food safety in brief

The European Union’s food safety framework combines risk prevention, scientific assessment, traceability, official controls and rapid alert mechanisms across the whole food chain.

Together, these policy areas help ensure that food and feed placed on the EU market are safe, properly regulated, monitored and subject to coordinated action whenever risks to public health or market integrity arise.

Ensuring Europe’s Food Safety

This section can introduce the overall EU food safety architecture, explaining how legislation, scientific advice, official controls and risk-management tools work together to protect consumers and the integrity of the food chain.

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Alert and Cooperation Network

This area can explain the EU cooperation system used to exchange information, coordinate investigations and respond quickly to cross-border risks, fraud suspicions and traceability concerns in the agri-food chain.

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RASFF

This section can present the Rapid Alert System for Food and Feed, the EU’s key tool for rapidly sharing information on serious food and feed risks and supporting recalls, warnings and coordinated responses between authorities.

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Agri-Food Fraud

This area can cover the EU framework for identifying and combating fraud in the agri-food chain, including coordinated actions, cross-border suspicions, misleading practices and tools to protect market integrity.

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Animal By-Products

This section can explain the EU rules governing animal by-products not intended for human consumption, including approved establishments, end points, handling requirements and scientific safeguards.

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Animal Feed

This area can present the EU rules ensuring that feed used in livestock production is safe, traceable and consistent with animal health, public health and food-chain requirements, including additives, hygiene and undesirable substances.

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Biological Safety

This section can address biological hazards such as food-borne pathogens, zoonoses, hygiene risks and crisis preparedness, showing how the EU manages microbiological threats across the food chain.

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Chemical Safety

This area can explain the EU framework for controlling chemical risks in food and feed, including contaminants, residues, food contact materials and other substances that may affect consumer safety.

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Food Waste

This section can introduce the EU approach to reducing food waste through legislation, policy initiatives and practical guidance aimed at making the food system more sustainable and resource-efficient.

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Food Improvement Agents

This area can cover additives, enzymes, flavourings and extraction solvents, explaining how these substances are scientifically assessed, authorised and regulated before they may be used in food production.

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Labelling and Nutrition

This section can explain EU rules on food information to consumers, nutrition and health claims, supplements, vitamins and minerals, and related standards that help consumers make informed choices.

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Novel Food

This area can present the EU authorisation framework for foods not widely consumed in the Union before 1997, including novel ingredients, nanomaterials, status assessments and market-entry procedures.

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