How to read

Country profiles – how to read the World Almanac

Each country profile provides an overview of public institutions in the area of food and feed safety

Diagram of national institutions: Each chapter starts with a simplified diagram depicting the organisational structures and hierarchies. The main institutions of each country are given as an acronym. The list of abbreviations (Chapter 6) contains the full names of all institutions listed in the Almanac (in English as well as the language of each country). Institutions at central/national level are illustrated in blue boxes, regional/local institutions in turquoise ones.

Legal foundation: Brief description of national legal foundations in the area of food and feed safety at the beginning of the chapter.

Institutions at central level (shown in blue boxes): Tasks and activities of each institution are described in a separate section for each institution. The blue box at the beginning of each section contains the acronym and the full name of the institution. The grey box below lists the main tasks in the area of food and feed safety, followed by the city in which the institution is based, and the website.

Responsibility: Ten pictograms are used to illustrate the areas of responsibility of each respective institution.

Regional and local level: Institutions on a regional and local level are described in a separate section. They are highlighted by turquoise coloured boxes.

EFSA network: Article 36 of Regulation (EC) No. 178/2002 establishing the European Food Safety Authority (EFSA) states that institutions operating in the fields within the EFSA remit are to form a network. Institutions that fall under this category are listed under the heading “Institutions involved in the EFSA network” and are marked by a yellow box.

The institutions involved in the EFSA Network pursuant to Article 36 Regulation (EC) No. 178/2002 are listed at the end of each country profile and are subject to changes. An up-to-date list of these institutions is available in the Internet at: https://www.efsa.europa.eu/sites/default/files/assets/art36listg.pdf

Foreword

Food Safety in the EU: an Almanac

Dear Readers,

The globalisation of food production and food trading poses new challenges for consumer health protection. The safety of foods and feeds has to be guaranteed along global and increasingly complex supply chains. In Europe, the supply of food from all over the world is steadily growing. Consequently, this is leading to an increase in requirements that have to be met for scientific assessments, reduction of food risks and effective risk communication.

The EU Food Safety Almanac gives an overview of the competent public institutions and the structures of food and feed safety within Europe. The emphasis here is on risk assessment. This overview of organisational links and cooperation not only facilitates the search for European partners, it also helps to avoid the duplication of work and to clarify responsibilities.

This brochure is intended for everyone who wishes to find out more about food safety structures and institutions. Further, it is addressed at those who work in the following institutions and fields: food safety agency staff, trade and general interest press, consumer associations, the food industry, science and politics.

The Food Safety Almanac covers all Member States of the European Union, along with Iceland, Norway and Switzerland and the neighbouring European countries of Albania, Bosnia-Herzegovina, the former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia, Kosovo, Montenegro, Serbia and Turkey.

This brochure does not claim to give a full description of each national structure, it is limited to the essential aspects in the interest of clarity and is intentionally restricted to the subject of consumer protection as a legally protected area. This does not mean, however, that other legally protected areas, such as environmental protection, animal welfare, and health and safety at work, are any less important.

During the preparation of this EU Almanac, the German Federal Institute for Risk Assessment received great and committed support from the EFSA Focal Points in the Member States and from EFSA itself. I would like to sincerely thank everyone involved for their contributions.

The EU Almanac (3rd edition) was evaluated in 2015 by members of the EFSA Advisory Forum, the Communication working group of EFSA's Advisory Forum, the European EFSA Focal Points and the German institutions involved in the EFSA network. The respondents declared themselves “satisfied” to “very satisfied” with regard to the information content, extent of the country profiles, update rhythm, layout, clarity of the icons, structure and quality of the EU Almanac. The valuable feedback on the evaluation was integrated into this new edition of the EU Almanac, which is available in six languages German, English, French, Portuguese, Spanish, Chinese.

With this 4th edition of the EU Food Safety Almanac, you are given an updated and comprehensive overview of food and feed safety in the European Union and other countries. In doing so, we hope to be able to make a valuable contribution towards strengthening risk assessment capacities and expanding international cooperation.