Broad political framework

• Farm to Fork Strategy – for a fair, healthy and environmentally-friendly food system

The strategy points out that a sustainable food system must ensure sufficient and varied supply of safe, nutritious, affordable and sustainable food to people at all times. Food safety standards will remain one of the focus areas of the EU international cooperation.

• Towards a comprehensive Strategy with Africa

The joint communication mentions that improving food quality and safety is a key element to move the economic integration forward at regional and continental levels.

• New European Consensus on Development - 'Our world, our dignity, our future'

The new consensus states that the EU and its Member States will work to ensure access for all to affordable, safe, sufficient and nutritious food.

Specific legislation on mycotoxins

• COMMISSION REGULATION (EU) 2023/915 of 25 April 2023 on maximum levels for certain contaminants in food and repealing Regulation (EC) No 1881/2006

  To ensure an efficient protection of public health, food containing contaminants exceeding the maximum levels not only should not be placed on the market as such, but should also not be used as a food ingredient or be mixed with food. This Regulation sets forth maximum levels for certain contaminants in foodstuffs. Maximum levels should be set at a strict level, which is reasonably achievable by following good agricultural, fishery and manufacturing practices and taking into account the risk related to the consumption of the food.

• Commission Regulation (EC) No. 401/2006 laying down the methods of sampling and analysis for the official control of the levels of mycotoxins in foodstuffs

Samples intended for official control of the levels of mycotoxins content in foodstuffs shall be taken according to the methods set out in Annex I to this Regulation. Annex II establishes criteria for sample preparation and for methods of analysis used for official control of the levels of mycotoxins content in foodstuffs.

• Commission Recommendation on the monitoring of the presence of ergot alkaloids in feed and food Text with EEA relevance

Commission Recommendation on the monitoring of the presence of ergot alkaloids in feed and food.

• Directive 2002/32/EC of the European Parliament and of the Council on undesirable substances in animal feed

This Directive deals with undesirable substances in products intended for animal feed. The Directive stipulates that products destined to animal feeding may enter for use in the Community from third countries, be put into circulation or used within the Community as long as they are sound, genuine and of merchantable quality and therefore are not likely to cause any danger to human health, animal health or the environment. In particular, Annex I to this Directive contains the list of undesirable substances in animal feed and related maximum levels.

• Commission Recommendation on the prevention and reduction of Fusarium toxins in cereals and cereal products

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