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Food Safety and Quality in Europe - Summary of emerging issues and unresolved problems

Year of publication 2002

Author Nutrition Division

Product type Meeting

Edition 1

Synopsis (short abstract) Over the past decade food safety and quality issues in Europe have become extremely controversial and have drawn a high level of attention from the public in general and consumers’ organizations in particular. Food safety and quality problems and the resulting health effects have, in many cases, compromised consumers' health, threatened the food supply and dented confidence in foods. In addition, in extreme cases, food trade has also been severely disrupted. The consequences of these problems ha ve had wide-ranging impacts throughout the food chain, and have focussed attention on the problems and prompted substantial reforms in food production, regulation and control throughout Europe. At the same time Europe has been expanding1 and changing politically and economically. For example: developments in Eastern Europe towards market economies; the enlargement of the European Union and preparations for accession of new members; the establishment of the World Trade Organisation (WTO), an d the globalisation of food trade. These regional and global developments have challenged all those involved in producing, supplying, regulating, trading and consuming food. All links in the food chain - from the farm to the table - have been charged with responding to food safety and quality issues, to assure consumers of the safety and quality of their food, whatever its origin. At the same time, those producing and trading foods need to be assured that regulations are no more restrictiv e than necessary to ensure safe quality food, so that fair trade can be established throughout Europe, and with all other trading partners.

Meeting symbol PEC CRD 04

Language English

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