The Dutch Safety Board today published a report in which it concludes that the food system in the Netherlands is vulnerable to emerging food safety risks. There is a lack of a structured approach to identifying and assessing emerging food safety risks, as a result of which risks are not always identified or detected too late.

Reason
The reasons for this research include the fipronil crisis, the occurrence of TTX in crustaceans, Q fever and an increase in the number of Hepatitis E infections. In addition, the council sees a difference in risk assessment between the US and the Netherlands and the EU, among other things for fruit and vegetables.

Early detection
The council also recognizes that risks need to be identified at an earlier stage, and cooperation between the government and food companies is needed to gain a clearer picture of these risks. However, this appears to be a field of tension, because companies do not want to investigate more than necessary, fear disproportionate intervention and a competitive disadvantage compared to companies that are less open.

Integrated approach
Controlling food safety has become more complex. This is due to, among other things, raw materials that are purchased worldwide, different consumption patterns and changed production processes.The Dutch Safety Board therefore advocates a structured approach in which the Minister of Health, Welfare and Sport and the Minister of Agriculture, Nature and Food Quality have a role to play in bringing together a coordinating unit. This unit should consist of as many sources as possible, such as RIVM, NVWA, companies and consumers who should independently create an integral overview of the risks and threats to food safety. On the basis of these reports, policy can be formulated to ensure that the ministries bear the political responsibility and that food safety is given more substance.

Food companies
Companies should also be given more responsibility and provide information about threats and signals. The NVWA can monitor whether and how this information is used in the risk assessment of the companies.

Role of Eurofins
With a worldwide network of laboratories in the field of Food, Environment, Agro and Pharma, Eurofins can identify trends at an early stage and advise on what risks are involved and how to guarantee them. In the Netherlands, Eurofins Food Safety Solutions can help you, among other things, with mapping out the risks and the control measures to be taken. Please contact us via foodsafetysolutions@ftbnl.eurofins.com.