RASFF

The Rapid Alert System for Food and Feed (RASFF) is a European Union information exchange network that facilitates the rapid sharing of information about risks to human health arising from food and feed. It links national competent authorities, the European Commission, and, in some cases, the European Food Safety Authority, to coordinate risk assessment and risk management across member states. The system covers hazards encountered in foods, animal feeds, and certain materials intended to come into contact with food.

RASFF operates by allowing competent authorities to notify a potential or confirmed risk when a product is on the market or in the supply chain. Notifications are circulated quickly among all member states and the Commission, and may trigger follow-up risk assessments and actions such as product withdrawals, recalls, or enhanced border controls. Notifications are categorized into four types: alerts (urgent notification of actual or potential risks), information notices (non-urgent or follow-up information), border rejection notifications (goods stopped at the border), and market-related information.

Key data elements in notifications include the product, hazard, risk level, origin, notified country, and the actions taken or proposed. The legal framework for RASFF is embedded in EU food law, with member states required to report within defined timelines and the Commission coordinating the system. EFSA may contribute to risk assessment where appropriate.

Public access is provided through the RASFF portal, which hosts a searchable database of past notifications. The system enhances transparency and supports rapid, coordinated responses to protect public health by enabling faster recalls, border measures, and information sharing among authorities and stakeholders.