Two audits by the European Commission’s health and safety unit have looked at checks on the food of non-animal origin (FNAO) in Hungary and Bulgaria.
A DG Sante audit, in May and June 2022 in Hungary, found a shortage of staff and experience was weakening the system of official controls.
Continue Reading EU audits show Hungary and Bulgaria must improve controls
Areas for improvement have been noted in the official controls done by Norway in two sectors.
One audit in June 2022 looked at poultry meat products. Another in September covered imports of food and feed of non-animal origin.
Norway is in the European Free Trade Association (EFTA). The EFTA Surveillance
Continue Reading Norway told to strengthen controls following audits
Two audits by the European Commission’s health and safety unit have looked at the safety of food of non-animal origin in Italy and France.
A recent report on a remote DG Sante audit, in September 2021 in Italy, found the system cannot verify that food is produced under conditions that
Continue Reading EU critical of Italian control system; France fares better
Iceland has been told to strengthen official controls on food of non-animal origin by a unit of the European Free Trade Association (EFTA).
An audit in March found it was not guaranteed that consignments of products are identified and presented for official controls. This means non-compliant feed and food of non-animal origin
Continue Reading Audit finds gaps in Icelandic control system
Two audits by the European Commission’s health and safety agency have studied the microbial safety of food of non-animal origin (FNAO) in Estonia and the Netherlands.
The first remote DG Sante audit, in April 2021 in Estonia, found the official control system was effective but there was a lack of
Continue Reading EU evaluates produce safety in Estonia and Netherlands
Microbiological contamination in fruit from Ukraine for export to Europe might not be detected, according to findings from an audit.
A DG Sante assessment in Ukraine in June 2021 focused on viruses and bacteria in fresh and frozen soft berries like raspberries and blueberries. DG Sante is the European Commission’s
Continue Reading Audit finds fruit contamination may go undetected in Ukraine
An overview report on official controls for fruit and vegetables in Europe covering a number of years has shown improvement, but areas of concern still remain.
European Union laws aim to ensure the microbiological safety of fruits and vegetables. To check these rules are followed by food businesses in primary
Continue Reading EU report shows progress on fruit and vegetable checks
Belgium’s system to prevent microbiological risks before and during harvest of certain foods has been criticized by the EU’s health and safety body. Officials in Belgium disagree.
A DG Sante audit found Belgium’s program is not designed to identify businesses that don’t have measures to stop the risk of contamination
Continue Reading DG Sante raises concerns on Belgian microbial controls
An audit on the microbial safety of food of non-animal origin in Romania has noted progress but found that there are still some problems.
The DG Sante audit in late January to early February was based on a review of documentation and discussions with representatives of authorities via video-conference with
Continue Reading EU audit in Romania shows gaps remain despite progress with food safety
More than a dozen countries have taken advantage of temporary rules to tackle disruption in official control systems in Europe because of the coronavirus pandemic.
As of May 6, 15 nations had informed the European Commission that they are applying the measures in Implementing Regulation (EU) 2020/466. Countries wishing to
Continue Reading EU countries take up interim rules on official controls during pandemic
