Food safety
The objective of the European Union's food safety policy is to protect consumer health and interests while guaranteeing the smooth operation of the single market. In order to achieve this objective, the EU ensures that control standards are established and adhered to as regards food and food product hygiene, animal health and welfare, plant health and preventing the risk of contamination from external substances. It also lays down rules on appropriate labelling for these foodstuffs and food products. This policy underwent reform in the early 2000s, in line with the approach 'From the Farm to the Fork', thereby guaranteeing a high level of safety for foodstuffs and food products marketed within the EU, at all stages of the production and distribution chains. This approach involves both food products produced within the European Union and those imported from third countries.
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Food safety: general provisions
General and institutional provisions, Research -
Veterinary checks, animal health rules, food hygiene
The hygiene package, Intra-community trade, Production and placing on the market -
Animal nutrition
Offical controls, Additives, Genetically modified feedingstuffs, Animal waste and pathogenic agents -
Animal welfare
Livestock farming, Transportation, Slaughter -
Animal health
BSE, Foot and mouth disease, Swine fevers, Avian influence -
Plant health checks
Phytopharmaceutical products, Pesticide residues, Harmful organisms -
Contamination and environmental factors
Chemical products, Substances with a hormonal effect, Contact with foodstuffs, GMOs, Radioactive contamination -
International dimension and enlargement
International cooperation, Enlargement -
Specific themes
GMOs, BSE, Foot and mouth disease
See also
- Product labelling and packaging
- Overviews of European Union: Food Safety
- Further information: European Commission Health and Consumer Protection Directorate-General