Launched nearly four decades ago, in 1979, the Rapid Alert System for Food and Feed (RASFF) is primarily an IT tool designed to swiftly exchange information between national authorities on health risks related to food and feed.

A member country of the network that identifies a health hazard informs the rest of the system’s network on the product concerned and the measures taken to address the risk. Measures include: withholding, recalling, seizing or rejecting products. This rapid exchange of information allows all RASFF members to check in real time whether they are also affected and if urgent action is needed. The authorities of affected countries have the responsibility to take the necessary emergency measures, including giving direct information to the public, withdrawing products from the market, and making controls on the ground.

What are the criteria for a member country to send a notification?

Members of RASFF (see below question) must immediately notify the Commission via the system when they have information regarding a serious health risk deriving from food or feed. The specific criteria triggering a notification are set out in the legislation^[1].

Who are the members of RASFF?

– all EU Member States  

– EEA countries (Norway, Liechtenstein and Iceland) and the EFTA Secretariat coordinating the input from the EEA countries

– the European Food Safety Authority (EFSA) and

– the European Commission as manager of the system.

– following an agreement that came into force on 1 January 2009, Switzerland is a partial member of the system as far as border rejections of product of animal origin are concerned.

Why do we need RASFF?

RASFF underpins the swift exchange of information among public health authorities on food and feed related risks. This tool enables all RASFF members to take coordinated, coherent and simultaneous actions with the objective to ensure the highest possible level of consumer protection.

How does it work in practice?

All starts with the notification by a member of the RASFF network of the existence of a serious, direct or indirect, risk to public health linked to food or feed. This information reaches the European Commission (as manager of the system), which in turn verifies the notification and immediately transmits it to the other members of the network.

A common template is used to provide all relevant and useful information including identification of the product, hazard(s) found, measure(s) taken and information on tracing the product.

Upon receiving the information, other member countries check if they are concerned. If the product is on their market they are able to trace it using the information in the notification. They report back on what they have found and what measures they have taken for a transparent and mutual information of all RASFF members. In case of products from the EU, the Member State from which the product originates also reports on the outcome of its investigations with regard to the origin, distribution and cause of the problem identified. This allows other member countries to take rapid action if and when needed.

In addition, following a notification by a member of RASFF, the system allows member countries to request clarification as regards the timing, scope or nature of notification. For instance when there is evidence that an incident could have been reported earlier, it is possible to ask the notifying country for an explanation.

What is predominantly notified in RASFF?

Around half of the notifications concern controls at the outer EEA borders^[2], at points of entry or border inspection posts when a consignment was not accepted for import (marked as “border control – consignment detained”) or when a sample was taken for analysis at the border (marked as “screening”) and the consignment was released (marked as “border control – consignment released”).

Official controls on the internal market come next.

Finally, other notifications can arise from a consumer complaint, a company notifying the outcome of a check it carried out on its own account, or a food poisoning incident.

What action can the Commission take if a Member State of the EU fails to notify in a timely manner?

If a EU Member State does not notify in a timely manner, the Commission may launch an infringement procedure against that Member State for failure to comply with its obligations under EU law.

Who has what powers to take action when a problem is detected?

When a problem is detected, it is the task of the national food and feed authorities to take action. This includes any action necessary to immediately address the risk but also to prevent a similar risk reoccurring. A whole range of actions are carried out and reported back through RASFF: withdrawal or recall of the products and their possible destruction, information to the public, re-dispatch to origin etc. If there is a need for emergency (safeguard) measures at EU level, the Commission and EU Member States can decide on these measures using a rapid procedure[3]. Such measures are binding with immediate effect.

What happens if a food safety issue reported through RASFF is a result of fraud?

The EU Food Fraud Network (FFN) can be mobilised to allow for swift and efficient cooperation in cases of cross-border violations of the legislation. Created in July 2013 following the horse meat scandal, the FFN is comprised of the EU Member States’ national food fraud contact points and of Iceland, Norway, Switzerland, and the European Commission’s Directorate-General for Health and Food Safety.

It handles potential food fraud cases whether arising from a RASFF notification or following official controls in a RASFF member where there is an indication that a possible violation of food law requirements might be taking place, which are motivated by the prospect of economic or financial gain. The national contact points of the FFN and the European Commission are in permanent contact.

Since August 2016 an IT tool supports the FFN by giving member countries the means to rapidly confirm a suspicion of fraud. Thanks to this tool, authorities in charge may liaise bilaterally (or multilaterally) to get information in order to build a case for action leading potentially to administrative sanctions or judicial proceedings.

What is the difference between RASFF and the Food Fraud Network?

RASFF is a key tool to ensure the cross-border flow of information to swiftly react when risks to public health are detected in the food chain, whereas the Food Fraud Network (FFN), facilitated by the Administrative Assistance and Cooperation (AAC) IT tool allows member countries to liaise bilaterally (or multilaterally) to rapidly confirm a suspicion of fraud.

Under RASFF, the Commission’s has a role to verify the RASFF notifications and inform third countries, whereas the Food Fraud Network is primarily a means for member countries to exchange information to help them build a case for action leading potentially to administrative sanctions or judicial proceedings.

As regards the FFN, in normal cases the Commission does not intervene in bilateral exchanges of information through AAC. Its role is more to facilitate the use of the IT tool through helpdesk, training, ensuring diligent responses from member countries and proper closing when case brought to an end, notably with regard to personal data protection aspects. It should also be noted that cases of fraud are much more difficult to assess, and a variety of obstacles could lead to a longer time frame for members’ response.

What is iRASFF?

iRASFF is the new online application through which all 32 RASFF member countries can transmit new notifications about products presenting a risk or provide follow-up to previously transmitted notifications by other members. It functions like an online interactive platform and has a specific workflow to allow members of the network to collaborate on the notifications in a transparent way. It is designed to function both at national and EU level. Another benefit is that it links RASFF notifications to other systems such as the Trade and Control System (TRACES) and the food fraud IT system more efficiently.

What is the RASFF consumers’ portal and what does it do?

Launched on 13 June 2014, the RASFF consumers’ portal provides practical and timely information drawn from the RASFF on consumer recall notices and public warnings issued by food safety authorities and business operators. It supplements information made public on the RASFF notifications – which is actually only a small portion of the information transmitted in the network.

For more information

Infographic

Website of RASFF

[1] Article 50 of Regulation (EC) No 178/2002, OJ L 60, 1.3.2002, p. 70-80

[2]  Since 2009 Switzerland is included.

[3] Article 53 of Regulation (EC) No 178/2002, OJ L 60, 1.3.2002, p. 70-80

Feux de forêt: l’UE mobilise plus d’avions pour l’Albanie et travaille 24h/24 pour soutenir d’autres pays en Europe

La Commission européenne a contribué à mobiliser deux avions supplémentaires de la Grèce par le biais du mécanisme de protection civile de l’UE, suite à une nouvelle demande d’assistance de l’Albanie pour lutter contre les incendies de forêt dans le sud du pays. Le Centre de coordination de la réaction d’urgence de la Commission surveille 24h/24 et 7j/7 les risques d’incendie de forêt à travers l’Europe et a déjà apporté son soutien au Portugal, à la France, l’Italie, le Monténégro et l’Albanie depuis cet été. «Lors de cette saison de feux de forêt très intense, de nombreux pays ont demandé l’aide européenne qui a pu être rapidement fournie. Aujourd’hui, je voudrais remercier la Grèce pour sa générosité dans son soutien à l’Albanie pour la seconde fois, en envoyant 2 avions en aide à son voisin, en ces temps de grand besoin d’assistance. Voici un exemple très concret de la solidarité européenne et de l’appui inestimable apporté par le mécanisme de protection civile de l’UE«, a déclaré le commissaire à l’aide humanitaire et de la gestion des crises Christos Stylianides. L’Albanie a tout d’abord requis de l’assistance pour lutter contre les incendies de forêt le 2 août. La Grèce a alors envoyé 2 avions qui ont opéré dans le sud de l’Albanie entre le 3 et le 6 août. Le système de cartographie par satellite d’urgence de l’UE Copernicus a fourni 8 cartes satellites aux autorités albanaises. Dans cette période critique pour le bassin méditerranéen et compte tenu des capacités limitées de ces pays pour lutter contre les incendies, la Commission propose de cofinancer 85% des frais de transport pour les pays offrant leur soutien via le mécanisme de protection civile. Des banques d’images et de vidéos du Centre d’urgence sont disponibles, ainsi qu’une fiche technique sur « La lutte contre les incendies de forêt en Europe – comment cela fonctionne ». (For more information: Carlos Martin Ruiz De Gordejuela – Tel.: +32 229 65322; Daniel Puglisi – Tel.: +32 229 69140)

Rapid Alert System for Food and Feed (RASFF)

The Commission continues to follow the latest developments on fipronil finding in eggs very closely. For this Commission public health and issues related to food safety are always considered a priority and are treated as such. The Rapid Alert System for Food and Feed (RASFF) is a tool designed to swiftly exchange information between national authorities on health risks related to food and feed. A member country of the network that identifies a health hazard informs the rest of the system’s network on the product concerned and the measures taken to address the risk. Measures include: withholding, recalling, seizing or rejecting products. This rapid exchange of information allows all RASFF members to check in real time whether they are also affected and if urgent action is needed. The authorities of affected countries have the responsibility to take the necessary emergency measures, including giving direct information to the public, withdrawing products from the market, and making controls on the ground. Member States have the primary responsibility for conducting the investigations and taking the appropriate measures. The Commission has taken and continues to take all available measures to assist them in this task. A comprehensive overview of the RASFF is available in this memo, which will be available in all languages online. (For more information: Daniel Rosario – Tel.: + 32 229 56185; Aikaterini Apostola – Tel.:+32 229-87624)

Upcoming events of the European Commission (ex-Top News)

At the end of July 2017, the European Asylum Support Office and the Italian authorities signed the Amendment to the EASO Operating Plan to Italy. EASO has started cooperating with the Italian Ombudsperson for Children and Adolescents (Autorità garante per l’infanzia e l’adolescenza) implementing further support measures related to the guardianship system in Italy.
 
Italy is one of the main receiving countries for unaccompanied children in Europe. More than 12 500 children have arrived to Italy via the Central Mediterranean route in the first seven months of 2017, following a total of almost 26 000 arrivals of unaccompanied minors registered in 2016.
 
In order to address the needs of this particularly vulnerable group and to secure their best interest as a guiding principle in all procedures including asylum and reception system, a new law (Law 47/2017 on protection measures for unaccompanied children) entered into force in May 2017. One of the main changes is the introduction of the possibility for private citizens, selected and duly trained, to become volunteer guardians.
 
EASO will work together with the Italian Ombudsperson for Children and Adolescents in order to strengthen the implementation of these protection measures of unaccompanied children. The areas of cooperation will include a national awareness-raising campaign aimed at recruitment of volunteer guardians, providing support in their selection and training in some targeted regions, as well as development of relevant practical tools and counselling. The exchange of best practices will be also part of this cooperation.
 
Background
The Italian Ombudsperson for Children and Adolescents is an independent institution introduced by Law 112/2011 aiming at protecting and promoting children’s rights. According to the Law 47/2017, this authority is in charge of the selection and training of the volunteer guardians in those regions where a Regional Ombudsperson has not yet been appointed.
EASO’s support granted to the Italian authorities is foreseen and regulated by the single Operating Plan for 2017, including support to the relocation procedure and family reunification under Dublin Regulation (by pre-identification, information provision, registration and handling of Dublin request) and activities related to country of origin information.

Download press release here: [EN] [IT]

Useful Links: 
Italian Ombudsperson for Children and Adolescents
EASO
EASO’s Operating plan to Italy – Amendment No.1 (2017) [EN]
EASO Operating Plan to Italy (2017) [EN]

Any further information may be obtained by contacting:
– on the Italian Ombudsperson: segreteria@garanteinfanzia.org (Facebook e Twitter @aginfanzia)
– on EASO, Mr. Jean-Pierre Schembri: jean-pierre.schembri@easo.europa.eu  (Facebook and Twitter @EASO)