Chapter 14 - Regulatory Issues in Europe Regarding Fresh Fruit and Vegetable Safety

Abstract

In the last decade there appears to have been an increase in the number of outbreaks of foodborne disease associated with fruits and vegetables in Europe. This chapter elucidates the regulatory issues in Europe regarding fresh fruits and vegetables, and discusses some dried products, especially dried fruits due to problems with mycotoxins. It also sheds light on microbiological issues of human concern in fresh produce. In this context mycotoxins are studies. As in all other parts of the developed world, Europe has also encountered problems and outbreaks with respect to microbiological contamination of fruits and vegetables. There have been large multinational outbreaks and small national outbreaks involving numerous different commodities, thus reflecting the variety and complexity of production and distribution systems. In January 2000, the Commission of European Communities launched its White Paper on Food Safety, in which a radical new approach to food safety was proposed. This process was driven by the need to ensure that food safety was and is a priority of the EU. The key points in the White Paper were the establishment of an independent European Food Authority and the set up of a new legal framework covering the whole food chain, including animal feed production. Focus was also directed at food-safety controls, especially controls of imports at the borders of the community, consumer information, and an international dimension with respect to an effective presentation of the actions to trading partners.