Filenews 14 August 2023
Reliable science for safe food in Europe
European consumers are among the best protected and most informed in the world when it comes to the food they eat. This is because the European Union's food safety system ensures that every European citizen has the right to know how the food they put on their plates is produced, processed, packaged, labelled and sold.
The European Food Safety Authority (EFSA) and its partners in EU Member States launched the #EUChooseSafeFood campaign on 16 May 2023 for the third year in a row. The aim of the campaign is to highlight the importance of science for the safety of food on our plates, and to help European citizens think critically by making informed decisions about the food they choose to eat. This year, the campaign is bigger than ever as 16 countries participate, including Cyprus, which is participating for the second year. The campaign is mainly aimed at European citizens aged between 25 and 45, with a focus on new parents and people interested in food safety, an active lifestyle and science.
Practical advice from scientists
Since its establishment in 2002, EFSA has acted as an impartial source of scientific advice providing the scientific basis for food safety laws and regulations to protect European consumers. Providing European citizens with knowledge to make informed food choices with confidence, explaining the science behind food safety, is at the heart of #EUChooseSafeFood campaign which provides practical and easily accessible information to consumers, with advice they can follow to ensure good food hygiene at home, how to reduce food waste and what is being done across the EU to prevent and treatment of foodborne illnesses. The EU food safety system is based on scientific advice provided by EFSA in close cooperation with national food safety authorities across Europe. EFSA works with leading scientists from the EU and beyond, who analyse, assess and advise, based on the latest scientific data, which foods are safe and whether they pose risks to consumers. This year, #EUChooseSafeFood campaign in Cyprus focuses on three pillars: 1) ways to protect against foodborne diseases, 2) food safety in terms of allergens and 3) proper use of food supplements.
ALLERGENS IN FOOD
Millions of people with food allergies
A food allergy occurs when the immune system reacts to certain foods that are usually harmless, but the body mistakenly recognizes them as dangerous. Millions of people around the world suffer from a food allergy that suddenly appeared in their lives. People with food allergies should avoid any foods that make them sick as the consequences of food allergies can be very serious and even life-threatening. Proper information is therefore essential. By checking the ingredients on the labels of prepackaged foods that mention any allergenic ingredients, and the information given about non-prepackaged foods, people can avoid eating them if they are allergic.
The 14 categories of allergens and the legislation
Scientists from EFSA, which is the body responsible for providing scientific opinions to the European Commission on food allergies, contribute to the legislative process on food labelling. As a result, relevant EU legislation has stipulated that all foods sold in the European Union must be labelled with the allergens contained in them, if they are included in the established list of 14 categories of products and substances causing allergies or intolerances for which labelling is mandatory. The list, which may be revised in the light of developments in scientific knowledge, currently includes: cereals containing gluten (wheat, barley, and others), milk, eggs, nuts (almonds, walnuts, hazelnuts, etc.), peanuts, soybeans, fish, crustaceans, molluscs, celery, lupine, sesame, mustard and sulphites.
Strict controls by Health Services
Every year the Health Services of the Ministry of Health in cooperation with the accredited laboratories of the General Chemical State Laboratory implement a food sampling program by food businesses for the official laboratory control of food in order to investigate and identify any allergens in them. In 2022, a total of 342 food samples were taken to detect substances that cause allergies or intolerances. Of these, 2.3% were found to contain an allergenic substance without it being recorded on their label, as provided by law. In all cases, appropriate enforcement measures have been taken by the Health Services to ensure that food business operators comply and exclude the possibility of recurrence of the non-compliance. The Health Services carry out official controls both in prepackaged foods and in mass catering units such as restaurants, hotels, canteens and "take-away", as well as in bakeries – pastry shops, where non-prepackaged foods are sold, to determine whether the necessary information is given to consumers for the 14 categories of allergenic products and substances. This information, depending on the case, must appear in writing in such a way as to be highlighted, either on the packaging of the prepackaged food, or on the price list (menu) given to each restaurant customer, or in a prominent position in the area where the unpackaged food is sold. They must also appear on food sales websites so that the consumer receives the necessary information before concluding the online purchase.
FOODBORNE DISEASES
Food poisoning in our lives
Foodborne illnesses are caused by eating food contaminated with bacteria, viruses, parasites or chemicals such as heavy metals. It is estimated that more than 200 diseases are due to the presence of such present in food, with the most well-known being the disease from the bacteria Salmonella, Campylobacter, Escherichia coli, Listeria monocytogenes and the norovirus. Most cases of food poisoning are caused by bacteria, mainly raw foods that have come into contact with ready-to-eat foods. Incidents of food poisoning are also recorded in Cyprus. Therefore, maintaining good hygiene conditions is paramount when buying food or preparing a meal at home to avoid food poisoning. Consumers are the last but very important link in the food chain, which starts from the farm and ends on our plates.
85% of diseases involve food of animal origin
Apart from the consumer, an important role and responsibility for food safety also have the managers of facilities that produce/distribute food. It is estimated that more than 85% of foodborne diseases concern food of animal origin, which is why the role of the Veterinary Services of the Ministry of Agriculture, Rural Development and Environment is very important. The Veterinary Services are responsible for the control of all food of animal origin. During the inspection of establishments of food of animal origin, the Veterinary Services carry out inspections of establishments and sampling of food of animal origin, taking into account both the self-checks and sampling that operators of food establishments of animal origin are obliged to carry out.
Indicatively, for 2022, the Veterinary Services carried out 2617 inspections in 1512 food production enterprises of animal origin, checked 38,205,887 number of carcasses of ungulates, 28,235,732 number of poultry, farmed game and lagomorphs and conducted, in their accredited Food Control Laboratory of Animal Origin, a total of 9544 laboratory analyses of products of animal origin for different causative agents with more frequent non-compliance, the presence of salmonella in poultry meat. Products of animal origin deemed unfit following inspections of establishments or laboratory results of sample analysis shall be seized and destroyed in order to safeguard the health of consumers and the food business operator shall be required to take appropriate sanitation measures.
Thousands of inspections for food safety
The Health Services of the Medical and Public Health Services of the Ministry of Health are responsible for the control of businesses manufacturing/packaging/importing food of non-animal origin, supermarkets and grocery stores, as well as restaurants, take-aways and other mass catering units. These businesses are inspected for food hygiene and safety conditions depending on the nature of their operations and the risk of the food they manufacture/distribute or sell. In addition, an annual food sampling program is implemented by these businesses. In 2022, 16611 inspections were carried out at 9681 food businesses. Also, within the framework of the annual national food sampling program, a total of 1109 food samples were taken for microbiological examination and 292 food samples for natural toxins and mycotoxins, which were examined by the accredited laboratories of the General Chemical State Laboratory.
FOOD SUPPLEMENTS
Increased consumption of supplements
In recent years, the consumption of dietary supplements shows an increasing trend. Food preparations or supplements contain ingredients such as vitamins, minerals, amino acids, enzymes and plant extracts, which are taken in the form of tablets, capsules, powders and liquids. Supplements are available in a range of doses, and in different combinations. Certain population groups that are at higher risk of deficiency of certain nutrients may benefit from dietary supplements. But this is not the case for everyone.
Dangerous or reckless use
Due to their nature, these food supplements should be consumed according to the manufacturer's recommended dosage and should not be a substitute for a proper and balanced diet. People should pay close attention to the label to make sure a supplement is appropriate for them and it is recommended that they consult a healthcare professional before taking any dietary supplements. Their imprudent and unnecessary use can lead to health problems.
Continuous control to verify the implementation of legislation
The control of food supplements is continuous and is carried out by the Health Services of the Medical and Public Health Services of the Ministry of Health, both at the stage of checking their notifications / applications and at the control of the market. In addition, the Health Services in cooperation with the General Chemical State Laboratory, within the framework of the annual food sampling program, take samples of food supplements which are sent to the General Chemical Laboratory for testing by its accredited laboratories. This includes both quantitative and quality control on their safety (i.e. any presence of prohibited substances in them). In cases of violation of food law, all measures appropriate by law are taken.
Europeans embraced the campaign
Over the past two years, #EUChooseSafeFood has had a very positive impact on consumer awareness and understanding of food safety in the EU. The percentage of recipients of campaign messages reminding them that food safety decisions are based on science rose from 2 in 10 in 2021 to 4 in 10 in 2022. Trust levels in the EU's food safety system also improved among those who came into contact with last year's campaign: 70% of citizens reported trusting the EU and national governments when it comes to food safety, an increase of 10% compared to 2021.
Be part of the #EUChooseSafeFood
The governments and food safety authorities of the countries participating in the campaign (Austria, Belgium, Bulgaria, Croatia, Cyprus, Czech Republic, Greece, Ireland, Italy, Latvia, Poland, Portugal, Romania, Slovakia, Slovenia and North Macedonia) have already launched targeted activities and events for their citizens. Those wishing to support the campaign can visit https://campaigns.efsa.europa.eu/EUChooseSafeFood/#/index-cy website which contains a wealth of information, translated into all official EU languages, on various food safety issues. From the website, you can also download the campaign toolkit, which includes visuals, short films and social media posts in different languages to share on your own channels. Follow #EUChooseSafeFood campaign on Twitter, LinkedIn, Instagram, YouTube and Pinterest and spread the word about the joint efforts for safe food and the science behind it, using the campaign hashtag #EUChooseSafeFood to engage and support the various activities underway.
