Biological hazards
such as bacteria, viruses or prions are present in food, in
particular, in products of animal origin.
Salmonella in poultry, Listeria monocytogenes in dairy
and meat products, biotoxins in live molluscs and
BSE from cattle in particular all pose serious risks to
public health. Following the food crises of the 1990s, new
measures were taken by the Commission to increase the level
of food safety and restore consumer confidence. These measures,
based on sound scientific opinion, include :
A co-ordinated and holistic approach
towards food hygiene, covering all levels of the food chain
and applying a transparent
hygiene policy to all food and feed operators;
Increasing knowledge of sources and
trends of pathogens by monitoring zoonotic agents throughout
the food and animal feed chain. Establishing control programmes
for Salmonella and other food-borne zoonotic diseases to
reduce the public health risk and to provide the basis for
adopting measures to manage these risks;
An assessment of the safety and quality
of all types of foodstuffs by setting out
microbiological criteria, applicable at the site of food production as well
as products on the market;
Effective control of Transmissible
Spongiform Encephalopathies (BSE, Scrapie, etc). Development
of measures to avoid contagion of other animals or contamination
of the consumers. Harmonisation of TSE measures in Member
States and the TSE import rules applicable to third countries;
Prohibition of the recycling into
feed or technical products of certain
animal by-products and identifying safe alternative methods for the use or
disposal of animal waste.
