The General Food Law and EFSA: two decades of protecting human life and consumers interests

Has the General Food Law achieved its objectives since it was adopted 20 years ago?

The GFL Regulation’s impact cannot be understated. Adopted following a series of food incidents in the late 1990s, its common definitions, aims and general principles have redefined and reshaped EU food law and policy. The most important amongst them is the risk analysis principle, under which food law must be science-based.

It established the European Food Safety Authority (EFSA) and laid down the Rapid Alert System for Food and Feed (RASFF) and the main procedures and tools for the management of emergencies and crises.

So yes, the GFL is doing what it was intended to do, namely contributing to a high-level of protection of human life and consumers’ interests in relation to food from risks along the food chain. And it provides the European Union with one of the most robust and efficient food safety systems in the world.

EFSA celebrates its 20th anniversary this year. How does it contribute to the functioning of the food chain?

EFSA has cemented the science-based approach to policymaking and has served to give EU measures a solid scientific basis. It has maintained confidence in the EU food supply and has raised EU food safety and standards.

EFSA has also boosted both cooperation with national and international scientific bodies and information exchange with Member States and the Commission. The result has been mutual understanding of food-related risks, minimal risk of duplication, and fewer scientific divergences with other risk assessment bodies.

While EFSA’s core business is to assess risk, it also informs and engages with the public about risks in the food chain through awareness campaigns (e.g., the  #EUChooseSafeFood campaign).

Are EU citizens concerned about food safety?

In a recent Eurobarometer survey on the food safety in the EU, seven in ten respondents across the EU (70%) reported that they were ‘personally interested’ in the topic of food safety.

While the cost of food is the main factor influencing food purchases, followed by taste, almost half consider food safety important. Forty-one percent of citizens take for granted that the food they buy is safe.

The Eurobarometer also shows that most citizens recognise that the state of the environment, animals and plants impacts human health.

Is the General Food Law still adapted to the complexity of the food chain?

Since the adoption of the GFL, the political, economic, and societal context has evolved, affecting consumers' perception and expectations in relation to the food chain. And yet, the GFL remains relevant and pertinent to address the complexity of the food chain, as confirmed by the findings of the 2018 Commission REFIT on the GFL.

Moreover, the GFL was amended in 2019 by the Transparency Regulation to further strengthen the transparency of the risk assessment, the reliability and independence of studies underpinning EFSA's assessments, while protecting legitimate confidential business information and to ensure a better coordinated risk communication.

EFSA is looking ahead with its Strategy 2027. Why was a new Strategy needed?

The Transparency Regulation, applicable since 2021, has increased EFSA’s role. Because of its increased responsibilities and because of EU-wide policy developments, such as the Green Deal, the Farm to Fork Strategy, the Chemicals Strategy for Sustainability and the Biodiversity Strategy, the focus of EFSA’s activities is changing.  Global crises like the pandemic and the current war in Ukraine also have a huge impact on the food chain, food availability and food safety and security. EFSA’s Strategy 2027 was needed to set out how EFSA intends to respond to this changing environment and be of even greater service to its customers, partners, stakeholders, and the public at large.