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".....the responsible
consumer is informed and active". Using this slogan to grab consumers'
attention and involve them, the European Commission launched its European
Food Safety Campaign. Food products have never been safer. Polls however,
indicate that Europeans are not convinced - they want more information
on food safety.
Commissioner for consumer policy, Emma Bonino says that consumers are
uncertain about food safety. They want questions answered and they do
not always know who to turn to. In launching the food campaign, the
EU is attempting to rectify a situation where in some countries it has
been calculated that food poisoning is caused to a large extent by the
way food is handled after it has been bought. Believing one link in
the food chain is more risky than all the others put together is difficult,
says the Commission.
To redress this situation, the campaign is highlighting the importance
of following food labelling instructions and respecting the basic rules
for hygiene, which are encouraging consumers to be proactive alongside
the other major players in the food chain.
The campaign's message is that food safety is everyone's shared responsibility.
Consortia, led mainly by national consumer associations, including all
the major partners in the food chain, are co-ordinating activities on
a country level. The campaign target is the general public although
some countries are especially focusing on school children and groups
that have particular needs. Finland has singled out the army and the
Salvation Army for special attention.
In Italy, the campaign project leader is Vincenzo Dona from the Unione
Nazionale dei Consumatori. The Italian consortium also includes the
Ministry of Health, the National Institute of Nutrition, EUFIC Italy
and food and beverage retailers. Mr. Dona said:
"The information on food safety reaching the consumers is not yet sufficient,
despite all our efforts to make them more aware of the risks and to
take appropriate action".
"The Food Safety Campaign is a great opportunity for everybody involved
in food to spread valuable information on safeguarding health,"
he continued.
The Italian food safety campaign works on two levels: A general information
strategy focuses on EU food safety legislation, E-codes and new products.
A more in-depth campaign with February dedicated 'Food Safety Month'
is also planned. In addition, a leaflet, Ten Rules For Food Safety is
being distributed to schools and consumers.
In other parts of the EU, countries such as Finland, Germany, Greece,
Luxembourg, Portugal and Sweden are highlighting the importance of food
labelling. Denmark and the Netherlands have included biotechnology as
a priority. Austria is concentrating on novel foods, storage and E-codes,
while Belgium is emphasising 'use by/best before dates' and food storage.
France and Spain are stressing consumer responsibility in food safety.
Ireland is centring its campaign on food safety in the home and the
UK is focusing on the basic rules of food hygiene. The shared responsibility
of everyone including the consumer, in food safety is indispensable.
This point was stressed by Emma Bonino:
"I want everyone to be aware that food safety does not depend on just
one link in the food chain but demands constant effort on the part of
all involved, from the producer to the consumer".
If you want to know more, contact your national consumer association:
U.K., London, Health Education Authority
Fax: 0207 4138930, Mrs. Jenny Arthur
Austria, Vienna, Verein fòr Konsumenteninformation (VKI)
Fax: 4315887773, Mr. Prohaska
Belgium, Brussels, CRIOC/OIVO
Fax: 3225470601, Mr. Jean Marie Beguin
Denmark, Copenhagen, Forbrugerradet
Fax: 4533134115, Mrs. Karin Andresen
France, Paris, Institut National de la Consommation
Fax: 33145662077, Mr. G. Camilleri
Finland, Helsinki, Suomen KuluttajalIitto
Fax: 358945422120, Mrs. Riitta Taino
Germany, Bonn, Auswertungs und Informationsdienst fòr Ern‘hrung
Landwirtschaft und Forsten
Fax: 492288499220, Mr. De Vogt
Greece, Athens, General Consumers Organization of Greece
Fax: 3019825096 H. Kouris
Ireland, Dublin, Consumers Association of Ireland
Fax: 35316612464, Mr. Dermot Jewell
Italy, Rome, Unione Nazionale Consumatori
Fax: 390639733329, Mr. V. Dona
Luxembourg, Union Luxembourgeoise des Consommateurs
Fax: 352494957, Mr. Jean
Netherlands, The Hague, Voedingscentrum
Fax: 3170354259, M. Breedveld
Portugal, Lisbon, Deco
Fax: 3511 3577 851, Mrs. Fernanda Santos
Spain, Madrid, Asociacion de Ideas
Fax: 349 15763563, M. Velarde
Sweden, Uppsala, Livsmedelsverket
Fax: 4618105848, J. Sorenson  |
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