Brussels, 28/06/2007 (Agence Europe) - Food safety risks, notified by member states via the Rapid Alert System for Food and Feed (RASFF), fell by 5% in just one year (6,840 notifications in 2006 compared to 7,170 in 20054). The 2005 report had shown a strong rise in such notifications compared to the previous year (EUROPE 9223). Published on Thursday 28 June, the annual report for 2006 on the Community RASFF also shows that 45% of notifications concerned consignments of products from third countries stopped at borders by the authorities.
The Commission notes that this is the first time since the system was set in place in 1979 that the number of notifications has fallen. This situation can be explained above all by the implementation of measures banning certain dyes, and by controls on certain pathogenic microbes.
The Commission's report makes a distinction between rapid alert notifications (934) sent when the foodstuff or feed in question is already on the market and immediate withdrawal measures are required, and information notifications (1,989) consecutive to the detection of a risk that does not require immediate action from other member states because the product has not reached their market (for example, when consignments are blocked at borders).
Sixty-two percent of rapid alert notifications in 2006 concerned products originating from the EU (problems detected thanks to controls on the market), mainly for fish and fish products (21%), followed by meat and meat products (13%) and cereals and bakery products (12%) Among the risks most reported through theses alerts were the presence of potentially pathogenic micro-organisms, heavy metals (such as mercury in fish) and mycotoxins.
Most information notifications (75%) concerned products from third countries and 40% concerned the presence of mycotoxins (for example aflatoxins in nuts).
“The fact that nearly half of the food safety notifications to our rapid alert system concern imports blocked at the EU border demonstrates the importance and effectiveness of our border controls”, said Markos Kyprianou, Commissioner for Health and Consumer Protection, noting that the EU's rapid alert system “is becoming stronger and more effective year on year”.
Finally, the Commission is promoting the idea of a worldwide rapid alert system for food safety. It suggests helping interested third countries by organising training seminars. (lc)