The EU on Wednesday toughened oversight of the food industry in Europe, including unannounced inspections, as euro MEPs approved legislation to prevent a repeat of a horsemeat scandal. Millions of Europeans in 2013 were shocked to learn that a long list of supermarket items being passed off as beef or pork were in fact horsemeat. Meatballs, sausages and frozen burgers were pulled from store shelves across the EU over the find.
"Food in Europe must be zero risk and safe," said Karin Kadenback, a socialist MEP from Austria who introduced the law during a session at the European Parliament in Strasbourg, France. Consumers must be spared "deceptions" such as the horsemeat scandal even if they do not necessarily harm health directly, Kadenback added.
The new law, already approved by the bloc's 28 member states, aims to improve food traceability, combat fraud and restore consumer trust in the integrity of the food chain. The measures, first proposed in May 2013, include tighter inspections and fines for companies found to have intentionally deceived consumers.
In addition, national authorities will be asked to follow the food industry more closely, including unannounced checks on contents and standards. Whistle-blowers will also be better protected. The legislation covers the whole food chain, including food, feed, organic production, pesticides, animal welfare and health, and protected geographical indications. The new measures will be applied before the end of 2019.