Difference between revisions of "Hungary:Hungary"

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Last updated on 22 March 2023.
{{#drawio:Hungary|max-width=650px}}
{{#drawio:Hungary|max-width=650px}}


<small>''*'' Host institution of the national EFSA Focal Point.
For information on the EFSA Focal Point network, please see
the [https://www.efsa.europa.eu/en/partnersnetworks/eumembers#focal-points-eu-food-safety-interfaces EFSA website].</small>
''© worldfoodsafetyalmanac.bfr.berlin''
The Food Chain Act is the central legal foundation for food legislation in Hungary. Infringement of food regulations can lead to measures under criminal law and consumer damage claims under civil law, whereby the final decision rests with the courts. Government measures regarding food safety are often based on scientific risk assessments. However, the final decision on the legality of governmental measures rests with the courts.
In Hungary, the National Food Chain Safety Office (Nébih) is responsible for risk management and short, quick risk assessment. Risk assessments are connected to individual cases, that’s why they are not published.


The Food Chain Act is the central legal foundation for food legislation in Hungary. Infringement of food regulations can lead to measures under criminal law and consumer damage claims under civil law, whereby the final decision rests with the courts. Government measures with regard to food safety are often based on scientific risk assessments. However, the final decision on the legality of governmental measures rests with the courts.


In Hungary, the National Food Chain Safety Office (NÉBIH) is responsible for risk management and risk assessment. Risk assessments are not published on the Internet yet.


== Ministry of Agriculture ==
== Ministry of Agriculture ==
Line 21: Line 32:
|-
|-
!Responsibilities
!Responsibilities
|[[File:AnimalFeed.png|Animal feed|link=Animal feed|25px]] [[File:AnimalHealth.png|Animal health and welfare|link=Animal health and welfare|25px]] [[File:BiologicalHazards.png|Biological hazards and zoonoses|link=Biological hazards and zoonoses|25px]] [[File:Biotechnology.png|Biotechnology and genetic engineering|link=Biotechnology and genetic engineering|25px]] [[File:Contaminants.png|Contaminants|link=Contaminants|25px]] [[File:DrinkingWater.png|Drinking water|link=Drinking water|25px]] [[File:EmergingRisk.png|Emerging risk|link=Emerging risk|25px]] [[File:Environment.png|Environmental Risk Assessment|link=Environmental Risk Assessment|25px]] [[File:FoodContactMaterials.png|Food contact materials and packaging|link=Food contact materials and packaging|25px]] [[File:FoodIngredients.png|Food ingredients|link=Food ingredients|25px]] [[File:FoodSupplements.png|Food supplements|link=Food supplements|25px]] [[File:MineralWater.png|Mineral water|link=Mineral water|25px]] [[File:Nanotechnology.png|Nanotechnology|link=Nanotechnology|25px]] [[File:PlantHealth.png|Plant health|link=Plant health|25px]] [[File:PlantProtection.png|Plant protection products or pesticides|link=Plant protection products or pesticides|25px]] [[File:ResiduesVeterinary.png|Residues of veterinary medicinal products|link=Residues of veterinary medicinal products|25px]]
|[[File:AnimalFeed.png|Animal feed|link=Animal feed|25px]] [[File:AnimalHealth.png|Animal health and welfare|link=Animal health and welfare|25px]] [[File:BiologicalHazards.png|Biological hazards and zoonoses|link=Biological hazards and zoonoses|25px]] [[File:Biotechnology.png|Biotechnology and genetic engineering|link=Biotechnology and genetic engineering|25px]] [[File:Contaminants.png|Contaminants|link=Contaminants|25px]] [[File:DrinkingWater.png|Drinking water|link=Drinking water|25px]] [[File:EmergingRisk.png|Emerging risks|link=Emerging risks|25px]] [[File:Environment.png|Environmental risk assessment|link=Environmental risk assessment|25px]] [[File:FoodContactMaterials.png|Food contact materials and packaging|link=Food contact materials and packaging|25px]] [[File:FoodIngredients.png|Food ingredients|link=Food ingredients|25px]] [[File:FoodSupplements.png|Food supplements|link=Food supplements|25px]] [[File:MineralWater.png|Mineral water|link=Mineral water|25px]] [[File:Nanotechnology.png|Nanotechnology|link=Nanotechnology|25px]] [[File:PlantHealth.png|Plant health|link=Plant health|25px]] [[File:PlantProtection.png|Plant protection products or pesticides|link=Plant protection products or pesticides|25px]] [[File:ResiduesVeterinary.png|Residues of veterinary medicinal products|link=Residues of veterinary medicinal products|25px]]
|-
|-
!Location
!Location
Line 30: Line 41:
|}
|}


The Ministry of Agriculture (AM) has full responsibility for official controls for all food chains. The ministry's core tasks are: international relations, strategic planning and drafting legislation in the fields of food chain safety from farm to table, and supervising the control activities at the county and local levels. In the case of incidents when immediate action is required, the Minister of Agriculture, through the Chief Veterinary Officer (CVO), has the right to give direct orders to the regional/local authorities.
The Ministry of Agriculture (AM) has full responsibility for official controls for the whole food chain. The ministry's core tasks are international relations, strategic planning and drafting legislation in the fields of food chain safety from farm to table and supervising the control activities at the county and local levels.
 
The portfolio of the AM includes soil, plant health, feed, food, genetically modified organisms (GMOs), zoonoses, mineral water and drinking water. The AM also deals with residues of plant protection products and veterinary medicinal products, however the regulatory authority for pesticides and veterinary drugs is the Nébih.
 
The ministry formulates government measures related not only to rural development, but also to the supervision of food chain, environmental protection and the agricultural economy. The ministry's main goals are the sustainable management of natural resources, diversity of rural land use, rural development and creating conditions for the safe and high-quality production and distribution of food products.


The portfolio of the AM includes soil, plant health, feed, food, genetically modified organisms (GMOs), zoonoses, mineral water and drinking water. The AM also deals with residues of plant protection products and veterinary medicinal products, however the regulatory authority for pesticides and veterinary drugs is the NÉBIH.


The ministry formulates government measures related not only to rural development, but also to the supervision of food chains, environmental protection and the agricultural economy. The ministry's main goals are the sustainable management of natural resources, diversity of rural land use, rural development and creating conditions for the safe and high-quality production and distribution of food products.


== Ministry of Human Capacities, State Secretariat for Healthcare ==
== Ministry of Interior, State Secretariat for Health ==
{| class="wikitable"
{| class="wikitable"
!Name
!Name
|Ministry of Human Capacities, State Secretariat for Healthcare
|Ministry of Interior, State Secretariat for Health
|-
|-
!Acronym
!Acronym
|EMMI
|BM
|-
|-
!Activities
!Activities
Line 57: Line 70:
|-
|-
!URL
!URL
|https://kormany.hu/emberi-eroforrasok-miniszteriuma
|https://kormany.hu/belugyminiszterium
|}
|}


The State Secretariat for Healthcare is responsible for determining the special rules and for the preparation of legislation related to the direction of healthcare provision on the national level and in higher education institutes. It regulates the national public healthcare tasks.
The State Secretariat for Health is responsible for determining the special rules and for the preparation of legislation related to the direction of healthcare provision on the national level. It regulates the national public healthcare tasks.
 
The area of competence of the Ministry of Interior (BM) covers legislation in the field of nutritional health (e.g. nutritional health aspects of mass catering) and is primarily responsible for establishing legislation on food supplements, dietetic products, infant and follow-up formulas, health and nutrition claims and nutrition labelling.


The area of competence of the Ministry of Human Capacities (EMMI) covers legislation in the field of nutritional health (e.g. nutritional health aspects of mass catering) and is primarily responsible for establishing legislation on food supplements, dietetic products, infant and follow-up formulas, health and nutrition claims and nutrition labelling.


== National Institute of Pharmacy and Nutrition ==
== National Center for Public Health and Pharmacy ==
{| class="wikitable"
{| class="wikitable"
!Name
!Name
|National Institute of Pharmacy and Nutrition
|National Center for Public Health and Pharmacy
|-
|-
!Acronym
!Acronym
|OGYÉI
|NNGYK
|-
|-
!Activities
!Activities
|
|
*Public health and nutrition
*Risk assessment
*Risk assessment
*Risk management
*Risk management
Line 85: Line 100:
|-
|-
!URL
!URL
|https://www.ogyei.gov.hu/main_page
|https://nngyk.gov.hu/hu/
|}
|}


The National Institute of Pharmacy and Nutrition (OGYÉI) operates under the supervision of the Ministry of Human Capacities (EMMI). Amongst other things, the OGYÉI is responsible for the notification of food supplements, foods for particular nutritional uses (infant formulas, complementary foods, gluten-free foods, etc.), cosmetics and biocides used in the food industry and mass catering, and also conducts investigations on food supplements and foodstuffs with nutrition and health claims.
The National Center for Public Health and Pharmacy (NNGYK) operates under the supervision of the Ministry of Interior (BM) and is led by the Chief Medical Officer. NNGYK is responsible for notification and coordinating the official supervision of food supplements, foods for particular nutritional uses (foods for special medical purposes, infant formulas, follow-on formulas, fortified foods, complementary foods, gluten-free foods, etc.), cosmetics and biocides used in the food industry and mass catering, and also conducts investigations on food supplements and foodstuffs with nutrition and health claims.


== National Public Health Center ==
Regarding infectious diseases, NNGYK performs the duties of the microbiological National Reference Laboratory, collects and manages data on foodborne diseases and shares them with other relevant parties, e.g. Nébih and ECDC.
{| class="wikitable"
!Name
|National Public Health Center
|-
!Acronym
|NNK
|-
!Activities
|
*Public health and nutrition
*Risk management
|-
!Responsibilities
|[[File:BiologicalHazards.png|Biological hazards and zoonoses|link=Biological hazards and zoonoses|25px]] [[File:FoodSupplements.png|Food supplements|link=Food supplements|25px]] [[File:Nutrition.png|Nutrition|link=Nutrition|25px]]
|-
!Location
|Budapest
|-
!URL
|https://www.nnk.gov.hu/
|}


The National Public Health Center (NNK) operates under the supervision of the Ministry of Human Capacities (EMMI) and is led by the Chief Medical Officer. NNK is responsible for coordinating the official supervision of food supplements, foods for particular nutritional uses (foods for special medical purposes, infant formulas, follow-on formulas, fortified foods) and mass catering.


With regard to infectious diseases, NNK performs the duties of the microbiological National Reference Laboratory, collects and manages data on foodborne diseases and shares them with other relevant parties, e.g. NÉBIH and ECDC.
== Ministry of Public Administration and Regional Development ==
 
== Prime Minister's Office ==
{| class="wikitable"
{| class="wikitable"
!Name
!Name
|Prime Minister's Office
|Ministry of Public Administration and Regional Development
|-
|-
!Acronym
!Acronym
|ME
|KTM
|-
|-
!Activities
!Activities
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|-
|-
!URL
!URL
|https://kormany.hu/miniszterelnokseg
|https://kormany.hu/kozigazgatasi-es-teruletfejlesztesi-miniszterium
|}
|}


Since 2011, the Prime Minister's Office (ME) has been responsible for funding for staffing and infrastructure and for implementation of the operational programmes.
Since 2024 the Ministry of Public Administration and Regional Development (KTM) has been responsible for funding for staffing and infrastructure and for implementation of the operational programmes.


Administratively, the County Government Offices (CGOs) are under the Prime Minister's Office. The ME has other, non-professional management powers (for example: employer rights) as regards the CGOs.
Administratively, the County Government Offices (CGOs – subordinate regional and local authorities) are under the Ministry of Public Administration and Regional Development. The KTM has other, non-professional management powers (for example: employer rights) as regards the CGOs.
 
The CGOs were established in 2011. From 2011 till 2024 the management (governing) tasks were carried out by the Prime Minister’s Office.


== National Food Chain Safety Office ==
== National Food Chain Safety Office ==
Line 147: Line 140:
|-
|-
!Acronym
!Acronym
|NÉBIH
|Nébih
|-
|-
!Activities
!Activities
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|-
|-
!Responsibilities
!Responsibilities
|[[File:AnimalFeed.png|Animal feed|link=Animal feed|25px]] [[File:AnimalHealth.png|Animal health and welfare|link=Animal health and welfare|25px]] [[File:BiologicalHazards.png|Biological hazards and zoonoses|link=Biological hazards and zoonoses|25px]] [[File:Biotechnology.png|Biotechnology and genetic engineering|link=Biotechnology and genetic engineering|25px]] [[File:Contaminants.png|Contaminants|link=Contaminants|25px]] [[File:DrinkingWater.png|Drinking water|link=Drinking water|25px]] [[File:EmergingRisk.png|Emerging risk|link=Emerging risk|25px]] [[File:Environment.png|Environmental Risk Assessment|link=Environmental Risk Assessment|25px]] [[File:FoodContactMaterials.png|Food contact materials and packaging|link=Food contact materials and packaging|25px]] [[File:FoodIngredients.png|Food ingredients|link=Food ingredients|25px]] [[File:FoodSupplements.png|Food supplements|link=Food supplements|25px]] [[File:MineralWater.png|Mineral water|link=Mineral water|25px]] [[File:Nanotechnology.png|Nanotechnology|link=Nanotechnology|25px]] [[File:NovelFood.png|Novel foods|link=Novel foods|25px]] [[File:PlantHealth.png|Plant health|link=Plant health|25px]] [[File:PlantProtection.png|Plant protection products or pesticides|link=Plant protection products or pesticides|25px]] [[File:ResiduesVeterinary.png|Residues of veterinary medicinal products|link=Residues of veterinary medicinal products|25px]]
|[[File:AnimalFeed.png|Animal feed|link=Animal feed|25px]] [[File:AnimalHealth.png|Animal health and welfare|link=Animal health and welfare|25px]] [[File:BiologicalHazards.png|Biological hazards and zoonoses|link=Biological hazards and zoonoses|25px]] [[File:Biotechnology.png|Biotechnology and genetic engineering|link=Biotechnology and genetic engineering|25px]] [[File:Contaminants.png|Contaminants|link=Contaminants|25px]] [[File:DrinkingWater.png|Drinking water|link=Drinking water|25px]] [[File:EmergingRisk.png|Emerging risks|link=Emerging risks|25px]] [[File:Environment.png|Environmental risk assessment|link=Environmental risk assessment|25px]] [[File:FoodContactMaterials.png|Food contact materials and packaging|link=Food contact materials and packaging|25px]] [[File:FoodIngredients.png|Food ingredients|link=Food ingredients|25px]] [[File:FoodSupplements.png|Food supplements|link=Food supplements|25px]] [[File:MineralWater.png|Mineral water|link=Mineral water|25px]] [[File:Nanotechnology.png|Nanotechnology|link=Nanotechnology|25px]] [[File:NovelFood.png|Novel foods|link=Novel foods|25px]] [[File:PlantHealth.png|Plant health|link=Plant health|25px]] [[File:PlantProtection.png|Plant protection products or pesticides|link=Plant protection products or pesticides|25px]] [[File:ResiduesVeterinary.png|Residues of veterinary medicinal products|link=Residues of veterinary medicinal products|25px]]
|-
|-
!Location
!Location
Line 169: Line 162:
|}
|}


The National Food Chain Safety Office (NÉBIH) is an independent legal entity with nationwide competence and responsibility operating under the direct supervision of the Minister of Agriculture. Its annual budget is allocated by the government. The NÉBIH has a complex organisational structure with various horizontal and professional directorates and testing laboratories. The NÉBIH covers the whole food chain, from soil to retail distribution as well as catering, in order to facilitate the safety of food and feed production with respect to animal and plant health and soil conservation. The NÉBIH is involved in the authorisation of novel foods.
The National Food Chain Safety Office (Nébih) is an independent legal entity with nationwide competence and responsibility operating under the direct supervision of the Minister of Agriculture. Its annual budget is allocated by the government. The Nébih has a complex structure with various horizontal and professional directorates and testing laboratories. The Nébih’s tasks cover the whole food chain, from soil to retail distribution as well as catering in order to facilitate the safety of food and feed production with respect to animal and plant health and soil conservation. The Nébih is competent authority in the EU authorisation of novel foods.


The Risk Management Directorate supports the activities of the competent authorities (quick risk assessments, risk communication, risk management supporting activities in the case of crisis situations). The directorate is the single national contact point for the Commission Service ACN (Alert and Cooperation Network: RASFF, AAC common network). The directorate is responsible for general communication and for providing early warning programmes related to public awareness and education.
The Risk Communication Directorate supports the activities of the competent authorities (quick risk assessments, risk communication, risk management supporting activities in the case of crisis situations, organizing simulation exercises). The directorate is the single national contact point for the Commission Service ACN (Alert and Cooperation Network: RASFF, AAC common network) and INFOSAN. The directorate is responsible for general communication and for providing early warning programs related to public awareness and education.


The System Management and Supervision Directorate coordinates the multi-annual national control plan (MANCP) and is responsible for risk assessments, strategic and risk-based planning of official controls, and for IT system development.
The Food and Feed Safety Directorate coordinates the multi-annual national control plan (MANCP). As a result of the cooperative preliminary work of the Ministry of Rural Development (now Ministry of Agriculture) and the Nébih, the Food Chain Safety Strategy 2013 – 2022 has been accepted by the government. The strategy determines the most important targets and duties connected to food chain safety, as well as provides guidance on the achievement of these desired goals. The new strategy is under drafting.
 
As a result of the cooperative preliminary work of the Ministry of Rural Development and the NÉBIH, the Food Chain Safety Strategy 2013 – 2022 has been accepted by the government. The strategy determines the most important targets and duties connected to food chain safety, as well as provides guidance on the achievement of these desired goals for the next years.


== Regional and local levels ==
== Regional and local levels ==
Administratively, Hungary is divided into 19 counties and Budapest. The counties are further subdivided into 174 districts, and Budapest is its own subregion comprised of 23 districts.


At the county level, all authorities involved in official controls of the food chain have been merged and integrated into the County Government Offices (CGOs). Since 01 March 2020, the departments responsible for carrying out official controls in relation to food chain safety and animal health have been operating in new structures and under new names.
Administratively, Hungary is divided into 19 counties and Budapest.


The ME is responsible for the direction of the CGOs; the AM is responsible for the professional direction of the units responsible for food chain control. Regarding the official food chain controls, the CGOs implement the control plans following the procedures and guidelines that are all provided by NÉBIH and ordered by the AM.
At the county level, all authorities involved in official controls of the food chain have been merged and integrated into the County Government Offices (CGOs). Since 01 March 2020, the departments responsible for carrying out official controls in relation to food chain safety and animal health have been operating in new structures and under new names. The ME is responsible for the direction of the CGOs; the AM is responsible for the professional direction of the units responsible for food chain control. Regarding the official food chain controls, the CGOs implement the control plans following the procedures and guidelines that are all provided by Nébih and ordered by the AM.


As of 2015, there are 197 district government offices (DGOs) at the local level. At the district level, there are 82 Food Chain Safety and Animal Health Units (on average, each unit is responsible for 2–3 DGOs).
As of 2015, there are 197 district government offices (DGOs) at the local level. At the district level, there are 82 Food Chain Safety and Animal Health Units (on average, each unit is responsible for 2–3 DGOs).
== Article 36 institutions ==


{| class="wikitable"  
{| class="wikitable"  
Line 190: Line 182:
|-
|-
|
|
#National Food Chain Safety Office (Nemzeti Élelmiszerlánc-biztonsági Hivatal - NÉBIH) (EFSA Focal Point)  
#[https://portal.nebih.gov.hu/ National Food Chain Safety Office (Nemzeti Élelmiszerlánc-biztonsági Hivatal - Nébih) (EFSA Focal Point)]
#National Institute of Pharmacy and Nutrition (Országos Gyógyszerészeti és Élelmezés-egészségügyi Intézet – OGYÉI)
#[https://nngyk.gov.hu/hu/ National Center for Public Health and Pharmacy (Nemzeti Népegészségügyi és Gyógyszerészeti Központ – NNGYK)]
#Szent István University (Szent István Egyetem – SZIE)
#[https://uni-mate.hu/ Hungarian University of Agriculture and Life Sciences (Magyar Agrár- és Élettudományi Egyetem - MATE)]
#Centre for Agricultural Research ( Agrártudományi Kutatóközpont)
#[https://atk.hun-ren.hu/hu/ HUN-REN Centre for Agricultural Research (HUN-REN Agrártudományi Kutatóközpont)]
#Research Centre for Natural Sciences ( Természettudományi Kutatóközpont)
#[https://www.ttk.hun-ren.hu/ HUN-REN Research Centre for Natural Sciences (HUN-REN Természettudományi Kutatóközpont)]
#University of Debrecen (Debreceni Egyetem – DE)
#[https://unideb.hu/ University of Debrecen (Debreceni Egyetem – DE)]
#National Agricultural Research and Innovation Center (Nemzeti Agrárkutatási és Innovációs Központ - NAIK)
#[https://u-szeged.hu/ University of Szeged (Szegedi Tudományegyetem - SZTE)]
#Budapest University of Technology and Economics (Budapesti Műszaki és Gazdaságtudományi Egyetem – BME)
#[https://www.bme.hu/ Budapest University of Technology and Economics (Budapesti Műszaki és Gazdaságtudományi Egyetem – BME)]
#University of Veterinary Medicine Budapest (Állatorvostudományi Egyetem – ÁTE)
#[https://univet.hu/hu/ University of Veterinary Medicine Budapest (Állatorvostudományi Egyetem – ÁTE)]
|}
|}

Latest revision as of 13:48, 12 November 2024

Last updated on 22 March 2023.

drawio: Hungary

* Host institution of the national EFSA Focal Point. For information on the EFSA Focal Point network, please see the EFSA website.


© worldfoodsafetyalmanac.bfr.berlin


The Food Chain Act is the central legal foundation for food legislation in Hungary. Infringement of food regulations can lead to measures under criminal law and consumer damage claims under civil law, whereby the final decision rests with the courts. Government measures regarding food safety are often based on scientific risk assessments. However, the final decision on the legality of governmental measures rests with the courts.

In Hungary, the National Food Chain Safety Office (Nébih) is responsible for risk management and short, quick risk assessment. Risk assessments are connected to individual cases, that’s why they are not published.


Ministry of Agriculture

Name Ministry of Agriculture
Acronym AM
Activities
  • Agricultural policy, food chain safety policy
  • Risk management
  • Risk communication
Responsibilities Animal feed Animal health and welfare Biological hazards and zoonoses Biotechnology and genetic engineering Contaminants Drinking water Emerging risks Environmental risk assessment Food contact materials and packaging Food ingredients Food supplements Mineral water Nanotechnology Plant health Plant protection products or pesticides Residues of veterinary medicinal products
Location Budapest
URL https://kormany.hu/agrarminiszterium

The Ministry of Agriculture (AM) has full responsibility for official controls for the whole food chain. The ministry's core tasks are international relations, strategic planning and drafting legislation in the fields of food chain safety from farm to table and supervising the control activities at the county and local levels.

The portfolio of the AM includes soil, plant health, feed, food, genetically modified organisms (GMOs), zoonoses, mineral water and drinking water. The AM also deals with residues of plant protection products and veterinary medicinal products, however the regulatory authority for pesticides and veterinary drugs is the Nébih.

The ministry formulates government measures related not only to rural development, but also to the supervision of food chain, environmental protection and the agricultural economy. The ministry's main goals are the sustainable management of natural resources, diversity of rural land use, rural development and creating conditions for the safe and high-quality production and distribution of food products.


Ministry of Interior, State Secretariat for Health

Name Ministry of Interior, State Secretariat for Health
Acronym BM
Activities
  • Health policy and nutritional health
  • Risk management
  • Risk communication
Responsibilities Biological hazards and zoonoses Drinking water Food ingredients Food supplements Nutrition
Location Budapest
URL https://kormany.hu/belugyminiszterium

The State Secretariat for Health is responsible for determining the special rules and for the preparation of legislation related to the direction of healthcare provision on the national level. It regulates the national public healthcare tasks.

The area of competence of the Ministry of Interior (BM) covers legislation in the field of nutritional health (e.g. nutritional health aspects of mass catering) and is primarily responsible for establishing legislation on food supplements, dietetic products, infant and follow-up formulas, health and nutrition claims and nutrition labelling.


National Center for Public Health and Pharmacy

Name National Center for Public Health and Pharmacy
Acronym NNGYK
Activities
  • Public health and nutrition
  • Risk assessment
  • Risk management
  • Risk communication
Responsibilities Food supplements Nutrition
Location Budapest
URL https://nngyk.gov.hu/hu/

The National Center for Public Health and Pharmacy (NNGYK) operates under the supervision of the Ministry of Interior (BM) and is led by the Chief Medical Officer. NNGYK is responsible for notification and coordinating the official supervision of food supplements, foods for particular nutritional uses (foods for special medical purposes, infant formulas, follow-on formulas, fortified foods, complementary foods, gluten-free foods, etc.), cosmetics and biocides used in the food industry and mass catering, and also conducts investigations on food supplements and foodstuffs with nutrition and health claims.

Regarding infectious diseases, NNGYK performs the duties of the microbiological National Reference Laboratory, collects and manages data on foodborne diseases and shares them with other relevant parties, e.g. Nébih and ECDC.


Ministry of Public Administration and Regional Development

Name Ministry of Public Administration and Regional Development
Acronym KTM
Activities
  • Funding for staffing, infrastructure
  • Implementation of the operational programmes
Location Budapest
URL https://kormany.hu/kozigazgatasi-es-teruletfejlesztesi-miniszterium

Since 2024 the Ministry of Public Administration and Regional Development (KTM) has been responsible for funding for staffing and infrastructure and for implementation of the operational programmes.

Administratively, the County Government Offices (CGOs – subordinate regional and local authorities) are under the Ministry of Public Administration and Regional Development. The KTM has other, non-professional management powers (for example: employer rights) as regards the CGOs.

The CGOs were established in 2011. From 2011 till 2024 the management (governing) tasks were carried out by the Prime Minister’s Office.

National Food Chain Safety Office

Name National Food Chain Safety Office
Acronym Nébih
Activities
  • Risk management
  • Risk assessment
  • Risk communication
  • EFSA Focal Point
  • Codex Contact Point
  • RASFF contact point
  • WHO INFOSAN contact point
Responsibilities Animal feed Animal health and welfare Biological hazards and zoonoses Biotechnology and genetic engineering Contaminants Drinking water Emerging risks Environmental risk assessment Food contact materials and packaging Food ingredients Food supplements Mineral water Nanotechnology Novel foods Plant health Plant protection products or pesticides Residues of veterinary medicinal products
Location Budapest
URL https://portal.nebih.gov.hu/

The National Food Chain Safety Office (Nébih) is an independent legal entity with nationwide competence and responsibility operating under the direct supervision of the Minister of Agriculture. Its annual budget is allocated by the government. The Nébih has a complex structure with various horizontal and professional directorates and testing laboratories. The Nébih’s tasks cover the whole food chain, from soil to retail distribution as well as catering in order to facilitate the safety of food and feed production with respect to animal and plant health and soil conservation. The Nébih is competent authority in the EU authorisation of novel foods.

The Risk Communication Directorate supports the activities of the competent authorities (quick risk assessments, risk communication, risk management supporting activities in the case of crisis situations, organizing simulation exercises). The directorate is the single national contact point for the Commission Service ACN (Alert and Cooperation Network: RASFF, AAC common network) and INFOSAN. The directorate is responsible for general communication and for providing early warning programs related to public awareness and education.

The Food and Feed Safety Directorate coordinates the multi-annual national control plan (MANCP). As a result of the cooperative preliminary work of the Ministry of Rural Development (now Ministry of Agriculture) and the Nébih, the Food Chain Safety Strategy 2013 – 2022 has been accepted by the government. The strategy determines the most important targets and duties connected to food chain safety, as well as provides guidance on the achievement of these desired goals. The new strategy is under drafting.

Regional and local levels

Administratively, Hungary is divided into 19 counties and Budapest.

At the county level, all authorities involved in official controls of the food chain have been merged and integrated into the County Government Offices (CGOs). Since 01 March 2020, the departments responsible for carrying out official controls in relation to food chain safety and animal health have been operating in new structures and under new names. The ME is responsible for the direction of the CGOs; the AM is responsible for the professional direction of the units responsible for food chain control. Regarding the official food chain controls, the CGOs implement the control plans following the procedures and guidelines that are all provided by Nébih and ordered by the AM.

As of 2015, there are 197 district government offices (DGOs) at the local level. At the district level, there are 82 Food Chain Safety and Animal Health Units (on average, each unit is responsible for 2–3 DGOs).

Article 36 institutions

Institutions involved in the EFSA network pursuant to Article 36 Reg. (EC) No. 178/2002
  1. National Food Chain Safety Office (Nemzeti Élelmiszerlánc-biztonsági Hivatal - Nébih) (EFSA Focal Point)
  2. National Center for Public Health and Pharmacy (Nemzeti Népegészségügyi és Gyógyszerészeti Központ – NNGYK)
  3. Hungarian University of Agriculture and Life Sciences (Magyar Agrár- és Élettudományi Egyetem - MATE)
  4. HUN-REN Centre for Agricultural Research (HUN-REN Agrártudományi Kutatóközpont)
  5. HUN-REN Research Centre for Natural Sciences (HUN-REN Természettudományi Kutatóközpont)
  6. University of Debrecen (Debreceni Egyetem – DE)
  7. University of Szeged (Szegedi Tudományegyetem - SZTE)
  8. Budapest University of Technology and Economics (Budapesti Műszaki és Gazdaságtudományi Egyetem – BME)
  9. University of Veterinary Medicine Budapest (Állatorvostudományi Egyetem – ÁTE)
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