Regulation (EU) 2017/625: Strengthening Food Safety Across Europe

Regulation (EU) 2017/625, commonly referred to as the Official Controls Regulation (OCR), plays a crucial role in ensuring food safety, animal health, and plant health standards across the European Union (EU). Introduced to replace Regulation (EC) 882/2004, it sets a comprehensive framework for official controls along the entire agri-food chain, ensuring that EU citizens have access to safe and high-quality food. This regulation strengthens the EU’s ability to detect, prevent, and respond to potential food safety issues, creating a harmonized approach to protecting consumers and maintaining trust in the food system.

Provisions of Regulation (EU) 2017/625

1. Expanded Scope of Official Controls

Regulation (EU) 2017/625 extends the scope of official controls to cover not only food safety but also animal health, welfare, and plant health. This includes controls on the use of pesticides, veterinary medicinal products, food fraud, and illegal practices in the agri-food chain. The aim is to ensure that food products, whether produced in the EU or imported from non-EU countries, comply with stringent EU safety standards.

- Example: A dairy processing plant in Germany must adhere to both hygiene and animal welfare standards during milk production. The plant is subject to official inspections to ensure compliance with both aspects.

2. Risk-Based Approach to Controls

A key feature of the regulation is its risk-based approach. It requires national authorities to prioritize controls where there is a higher risk to public health, animal welfare, or plant health. By focusing resources on high-risk areas, the regulation aims to maximize the efficiency and effectiveness of controls.

- Example: Authorities in Spain may focus more frequent inspections on a seafood importer if there is a higher risk of contamination from certain products, based on data or past incidents.

3. Integration of Fraud Prevention

Regulation (EU) 2017/625 introduces measures to combat food fraud by requiring more stringent checks on potential fraudulent practices in the food chain. This includes false labeling, adulteration of food products, and illegal practices that may deceive consumers.

- Example: In a case involving olive oil, authorities in Italy carried out extra testing to verify that the product was truly extra virgin, preventing cheaper oils from being fraudulently passed off as premium products.

4. Transparency and Public Communication

The regulation emphasizes transparency in reporting inspection outcomes and makes it easier for consumers and businesses to access information. National authorities are encouraged to publish the results of their inspections and the actions taken to address non-compliance.

- Example: A food inspection authority in France publishes an annual report detailing compliance rates of food establishments, giving consumers insights into the safety of the products they consume.

5. Coordination Across Member States

Regulation (EU) 2017/625 promotes greater cooperation and coordination between member states to improve the effectiveness of official controls across borders. This is particularly important in the case of imports from third countries, where EU-wide cooperation ensures that all member states benefit from the same high level of food safety.

- Example: During an outbreak of a plant disease affecting tomato crops, the Netherlands and Spain worked together under the guidance of the European Food Safety Authority (EFSA) to prevent the spread of the disease through shared inspection resources and data exchange.

6. Support for Small and Medium Enterprises (SMEs)

The regulation recognizes the challenges that small and medium enterprises may face in complying with stringent food safety requirements. It includes provisions to offer guidance and support to help these businesses meet their obligations without compromising safety.

- Example: A small cheese producer in Austria is offered additional training and resources from local authorities to ensure compliance with hygiene standards during cheese production, helping the business grow while maintaining safety standards.

Real-World Impact of Regulation (EU) 2017/625

Since its implementation, Regulation (EU) 2017/625 has already made a noticeable impact on food safety and consumer trust within the EU. The harmonization of official controls ensures that food products, whether produced domestically or imported, undergo the same rigorous safety checks.

For example, during a 2020 foodborne illness outbreak linked to contaminated poultry, swift coordination among EU member states, facilitated by this regulation, enabled authorities to trace the source of contamination, recall affected products, and prevent further illnesses.

Additionally, the regulation's emphasis on combating food fraud has led to numerous successful investigations and prosecutions across the EU. In 2019, authorities uncovered a large-scale operation in which horse meat was being illegally sold as beef, and swift enforcement actions helped prevent public health risks.

Regulation (EU) 2017/625 has significantly strengthened the EU's approach to food safety, ensuring that consumers across Europe can trust the quality and safety of the products they purchase. By adopting a risk-based approach, enhancing transparency, and fostering cooperation between member states, this regulation helps safeguard public health while supporting a fair and efficient agri-food chain. For businesses, compliance with these controls not only ensures legal adherence but also builds trust and credibility with consumers.

As food safety challenges evolve, this regulation remains a cornerstone in maintaining the integrity of the EU's food system, continually adapting to ensure the highest standards for consumers and producers alike.