1. Authorities
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1. Authorities
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Donuts with Toppings
Germany
This section provides an overview of the Authorities involved in setting regulations and in managing compliance with the food product in scope.
GERMAN Legal Framework
1. Federal Ministry of Food and Agriculture (BMEL)
The Federal Ministry of Food and Agriculture (BMEL) is the ministry of the Federal Government responsible for the development and implementation of German agricultural and food policy [1]. The main tasks of the BMEL cover the following areas:
- Development and implementation of agricultural and food policy
- Promotion of sustainable agriculture and animal welfare
- Promoting rural development and consumer protection
- Promoting international cooperation in the areas of agricultural and food policy
The BMEL is also responsible for monitoring food safety and enforcing food labeling regulations. The Ministry works closely with the Federal Office of Consumer Protection and Food Safety (BVL) to ensure that food in Germany is safe and healthy.
2. Federal Office of Consumer Protection and Food Safety (BVL)
The BVL is responsible for ensuring food safety and granting authorization. It coordinates nationwide food monitoring programs and analyses the data as a risk management authority. The BVL's Main responsibilities include [2]:
- Developing and enforcing food safety regulations
- Conducting risk assessment and providing scientific advice on food safety Issues
- Monitoring and Inspecting food and consumer products to ensure compliance with safety standards
- Investigating and responding to food safety Incidents and outbreaks
- Providing Information and education to consumers and businesses on food safety issues
3. Food monitoring through the federal states
According to the German Basic Law [3], official food monitoring in Germany is the responsibility of the federal states. It is primarily the responsibility of the food sectors to ensure food safety and the proper composition, quality, and labeling of the food they place on the market. In addition, it is the task of the responsible authorities to check that food companies comply with these due diligence obligations through regular and risk-based checks and sampling.
The federal states develop testing programs that are locally carried out by the food control and veterinary offices in the cities and districts. There are also nationwide control programs like:
- Food Monitoring: Lebensmittel-Monitoring
- Nationwide monitoring plan (BÜP): Bundesweiten Überwachungsplan (BÜP)
- Multi-annual National Control Plan (MNKP): Mehrjährigen Nationalen Kontrollplan (MNKP)
The controls are carried out at all levels (“from field to fork”) (i.e. in the manufacturing and processing plants for food, consumer goods, or cosmetic products, in retail trade, or at border control posts). Catering and communal catering facilities are also regularly checked on a risk-based basis.
For this purpose, companies are recorded by the responsible food control authorities and veterinary offices and classified into risk categories. In addition to risk-based controls, event-related controls are carried out to investigate acute issues. If violations are discovered, the responsible authorities will take the necessary measures to alleviate them.
EU Legal Framework
Proposes and enforces legislation, and implements policies and the EU budget. The EU Commission is led by a team or 'College' of Commissioners, 1 from each EU country.
The European Commission is the EU's politically independent executive arm. It is alone responsible for drawing up proposals for new European legislation, and it implements the decisions of the European Parliament and the Council of the EU.
2. European Food Safety Authority (EFSA) [5]
EFSA serves as an impartial source of scientific advice to risk managers and communicates risks associated with the food chain. EFSA cooperates with interested parties to promote the coherence of EU scientific advice. EFSA provides the scientific basis for laws and regulations to protect European consumers from food-related risks – from farm to fork.
3. Border Control Posts (BCPs) [6]
All composite products (foodstuffs containing both products of plant origin and products of animal origin (e.g. mayonnaise containing egg products or savory/sweet sauce containing dairy ingredients or honey or meat juices)) must be presented at the BCPs for control before their entry into the EU market (for further details, please refer to Section 7 on Importation requirements).
1.1 References
1. Federal Ministry of Food and Agriculture
2. Federal Office of Consumer Protection and Food Safety
3. German Basic Law
GG - Grundgesetz für die Bundesrepublik Deutschland (gesetze-im-internet.de)
4. EU Commission - EU Website
5. EFSA
6. Border Control Posts
https://food.ec.europa.eu/animals/veterinary-border-control/contact-details-bcps-veterinary_en#EU
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