Lebensmittelüberwachungsbehörden

Lebensmittelüberwachung, or food safety surveillance, refers to the system of public authorities and procedures that aim to ensure that food sold to consumers is safe, properly labeled, and compliant with applicable requirements. It covers the entire supply chain from primary production to processing, distribution, and retail. Core activities include official controls of production facilities and processes; verification of hygiene and processing standards; sampling and laboratory testing for contaminants, pathogens, and chemical residues; validation of labeling, allergen information, traceability, and expiry dates; surveillance of imports; and the management of recalls or withdrawals of unsafe products.

In the European Union, food safety operates through risk assessment, risk management, and risk communication. The European Food Safety Authority (EFSA) provides scientific risk assessments, while member states conduct official controls under framework legislation such as Regulation 178/2002 and Regulation 882/2004. Food business operators implement HACCP-based systems, along with GMP (Good Manufacturing Practice) and GHP (Good Hygiene Practice), to ensure safety throughout production and distribution. Traceability requirements enable products to be tracked through the supply chain.

The Rapid Alert System for Food and Feed (RASFF) supports the rapid exchange of information about food safety issues within the EU. National authorities may issue recalls or impose corrective actions as needed. While enforcement levels vary by country, they adhere to harmonized EU standards to protect public health, ensure consumer confidence, and maintain fair competition in the market.