EU Rapid Alert System for Food and Feed 40 years of keeping consumers safe

The European Union is celebrating the 40 years of the Rapid Alert System for Food and Feed. This system provides a way for member countries to quickly exchange information about food safety threats and coordinate response actions. It has become an important tool for protecting consumers and reassuring them about the safety of their food. The European Commission is continuing to invest in making this system even better.

Since the establishment of the FAO/WHO International Food Safety Authorities Network (INFOSAN), the RASFF has been a strong supporter, communicating daily with the INFOSAN secretariat at WHO headquarters. Dirk Lange from the Directorate General for Health and Food Safety at the European Commission said that protecting consumer health and ensuring fair practices in international food trade are the priorities when dealing with food and feed crises. He went on to say that the RASFF has been instrumental in instilling trust in European consumers, as food safety has an impact on the wellbeing of citizens, the economy, and ultimately, food security.