European Food Regulatory Affairs

What does the European Council do

Define the EU's overall political direction and priorities

Does the European Council have legislative power?

No, it is not one of the EU's legislating institutions so does not negotiate or adopt EU laws

How many MEPS make up the European Parliament

720

How many political groups make up the European Parliament

8

How many committees make up the European Parliament

26

Who sits to the left of the President of the European Parliament

Council of the European Union

Who sits to the right of the President of the European Parliament

European Commission

Who is the president of the European Parliament

Roberta Metsola

What is the college of commissioners

It is essentially the EU's executive branch, it is made up of one commissioner from each EU country, currently the president is Ursula von der Leyen, each Commissioner is given a specific job area, like trade, health, together, they propose laws, enforce EU rules, manage the EU budget, and represent the EU internationally

Who proposes legislation

European Commission

Who adopts legislation by co-decision

European Parliament and Council of the EU

After a series of food emergencies what happens in 1997

A green paper was published. It included consultative policy document on general principles of food law, asked if existing legislation adequate for all stakeholders, questioned the independence and efficacy of inspection systems and controls, opened for public debate on food legislation, asked how to account for future development

After the green paper was published in 1997 what was published in 2000

A white paper which stated only foodstuffs which are safe wholesome and fit for consumption to be placed on the market, Health Protection of consumers priority and listed intention to form EFSA in future

What food safety regulations were in place before 1997

There was a scientific committee on food established in 1974 and they provided the EC with scientific advice of food safety

When did the BSE crisis happen

mid 1990s

What did they aim for in the development of EU food policy

Effective food safety, precautionary principle to be adopted, clear responsibility of food safety at all stages of Food Chain, control and Inspection at all stages of Food Chain, inform consumers about nature and content of food, responsibility of each agent clearly established

How do they plan to achieve effective food safety

science based and emphasis on risk assessment, most recent and complete scientific evidence to be considered for new legislation

What is the precautionary principle

Precautionary measures when scientific evidence about an environmental or human health hazard is uncertain and the stakes are high

Some people think that there is overregulation because of the precautionary principle, give an example of this

GMO foods is strictly regulated by the EU both imports and production

What are the 6 core principles of EU food policy

Comprehensive integrated approach, primary responsibility on food products, traceability, transparency, risk analysis and best scientific advise

When did the first EU food regulation come into place and what is its code

year- 2002 code- 178

What does Regulation 178/2002 regulate

the entire food chain from farm to fork

How is food defined in Regulation 178/2002

Food means any substance or product whether processed, partially processed or unprocessed , intended to be, or reasonably expected to be ingested by humans

What does Regulation 178/2002 cover

It sets out the general principles of EU food law, it establishes a European Food Safety Authority and it establishes a Rapid Alert System for the notification of direct or indirect risks to human health deriving from food and feed and sets down clear procedures for the handling by the Commission and the Member States of food safety emergencies and crises and allows for traceability of food

What is the objective of Regulation 178/2002

A high level of protection of human life and health and of consumer interests including fair practices in food trade, and the free movement of food and feed that is produced and marketed in accordance with the requirements of EU food law

How does Regulation 178/2002 say risk analysis should be done

It says that there should be a food law founded on risk assessment, risk management and risk communication

Who should be transparent according to Regulation 178/2002

all public authorities

What should people be transparent about according to Regulation 178/2002

Consulting with and informing the public on actual or potential risks and the actions that are taken or proposed to deal with them

How is unsafe food defined in Regulation 178/2002

Food that has probable immediate or long-term effects on the persons consuming it or on subsequent generations, or probable cumulative toxic effect

According to Regulation 178/2002 what should member states maintain

A system of official controls in order to monitor, verify and enforce compliance with food law

What obligations are on the FBO

at all stages of the food chain and imported foods that the food complies with food law and if not to withdraw the product from the marketplace

What is DG SANTE

EU's "Health and Food Safety Department"

What is the role of DG SANTE

Representing the EU in international fora and being involved in international action to address food safety problems that need to be tackled at a global level such as Obesity or Avian Flu being co-ordinated by the World Health Organisation (WHO)

- Working to integrate food safety policy and objectives into other areas ofEU Policy for example EU Agricultural or Environmental Policy; and,

- Providing food safety information at a European level which it often does in liaison with the EFSA

Who is the deputy director general for food sustainability

Claire Bury

What does DG SANTE stand for

Directorate general of health and food safety

What is the department for health and food audits and analysis

The Directorate-General for Health and Food Safety has a specific division that dedicates most of its resources to Commission control. It ensures national authorities in EU countries and non-EU countries exporting to the EU are fulfilling their legal obligation

What was the department for health and food audits and analysis previously called

Food and Veterinary Office

Where is the the department for health and food audits and analysis located

Ireland

How many people does the the department for health and food audits and analysis employ

160

What are the mains tasks of the department for health and food audits and analysis

Audits the performance of national agencies in the MS

Inspects the performance of industry and public authorises in non-EU countries that wish to export food products to the EU

What regulation is the department for health and food audits and analysis work covered under

Regulation 882/2004

What can the Commission and Member states do in regards to RASFF

Suspension of the placing on the market or use of the food or feed in question or laying down special conditions for the feed or food

In the case of imports from outside the EU, banning imports of the feed or food from a country or part of a country, or laying down special conditions for the imports,

Any other interim measures considered appropriate

What section is RASFF under in the EU

The European Commission

Why was RASFF set up

To allow food safety authorities to rapidly exchange information on health risks derived from food or feed so that they can take immediate action to avert the risk.

What does RASFF do

RASFF provides a round-the-clock service to ensure that urgent notifications are sent, received and responded to collectively and efficiently.

Who has access to RASFF

Exclusively granted to member countries' authorities and the European Commission, however an interactive, searchable online database, called RASFF Window, offers public access to summary information about the most recently transmitted RASFF notifications and allows searching for information on any notification issued in the past

What stakeholders would be involved in RASFF

EFSA, the international food safety authorities network (INFOSAN) part of WHO, European Commission and Member States

What information is included in a notification on RASFF

Risk to human and animal health

Tracing food on the market

Measures taken by and requested from Member States

What is an alert notification in RASFF

Sent when a food or feed presenting a serious health risk is on the market and when rapid action is required. The RASFF member who identifies the problem and takes the relevant measure (e.g. withdrawal of the product from the market) triggers the alert. The goal of the notification is to give all RASFF members the information to confirm whether the product in question is on their market so that they can also take the necessary measures.

What is an information notification in RASFF

Used when a risk has been identified about food or feed placed on the market, but the other RASFF members do not have to take rapid action. This is because the product has not reached their market or is no longer present in their market or because the nature of the risk does not require rapid action.

What is a border rejections in RASFF

Concern food and feed consignments that have been tested and rejected at the external borders of the EU (and the European Economic Area - EEA) when a health risk has been found. The notifications are sent to all EEA border posts in order to reinforce controls and to ensure that the rejected product does not re-enter the EU through another border post.

What is news in RASFF

Any information related to the safety of food and feed products which has not been communicated as an alert or an information notification, but which is judged interesting for the control authorities

What is a fraud notification in RASFF

A non-compliance notification in iRASFF concerning suspected intentional action by businesses or individuals for the purpose of deceiving purchasers and gaining undue advantage

What things would be a fraud notification in RASFF

Adulteration and product tampering, counterfeit, document forgery, grey market activities and misdescription, mislabeling and misbranding

What does ACN stand for

Alert and Cooperation Network

What was the hygiene package

In 2000 the Commission proposed putting a few regulations about hygiene that merges and harmonize detailed and complex hygiene requirements previously in 17 sectoral directives

What did the hygiene package change for FBOs

The regulations will set the objectives however it will be up to the FBO to decide the safety measures to take

What are the main principles of the hygiene package

Primary responsibility for food safety borne by the food business operator;

Food safety ensured throughout the food chain, starting with primary production;

General implementation of procedures based on the HACCP principles;

Application of basic common hygiene requirements, possibly further specified for certain categories of food;

Registration or approval for certain food establishments;

Development of guides to good practice for hygiene or for the application of HACCP principles as a valuable instrument to aid food business operators at all levels of the food chain to comply with the new rules

Flexibility provided for food produced in remote areas (high mountains, remote island) and for traditional production and methods.

Primary production for domestic use and domestic preparation of food for private consumption are not regulated by Community rules

How does the hygiene package ensure traceability

Compulsory registration of all food businesses is introduced. Registration numbers must follow products. Record keeping to enable producers at each stage of production to identify suppliers of ingredients and foods is obligatory.

What does HACCP stand for

Hazard Analysis & Critical Control Point

What is the definition of safe food

Food that does not cause harm to the consumer when it is prepared and/or eaten according to its intended use

What are the weaknesses in food safety assurance systems

Consider the specificity of the food or process in question and its related potential hazards

Provide a mechanism for identifying those measures which are essential for safety

Provide for monitoring mechanisms to ensure that measures necessary for safety are implemented and are carried out correctly

Make provision for corrective measures if the process gets out of control

Provide proof that the products were prepared according to the established requirements

What are the 4 steps in HACCP

Identification of potential food safety problems

Determination of how and where these can be prevented

Description of what to do and training of the personnel

Implementation and recording