FAVV inspections at food companies largely yield favourable results

In the event of an unfavourable report, the FAVV can take various measures, such as a warning (15,728), a report (10,044) or a seizure (2,174). If the health of the consumer is at risk, the FAVV can also impose a temporary closure of the company. This happened 399 times in 2023.

In addition, the FAVV also took samples of foodstuffs on the Belgian food market. Of the 64,648 samples that were analyzed in a lab, 98 percent appeared to meet the standards. “A number that indicates a high level of food safety in our country,” according to the FAVV.

The agency also carried out 22,552 checks last year at over 21,000 companies in the distribution sector (catering, supermarkets, bakers, butchers, fishmongers and large kitchens), with a positive result in 69.3 percent of cases. The main points of attention in this sector are being able to provide the correct allergen information to the consumer, and hand hygiene, such as the lack of sufficient hand washing sinks, contactless taps and hygienic washing and drying agents.

254 products recalled

The annual report also shows that Belgian food companies recalled 254 products from consumers last year. This happened in more than eight out of ten cases due to a chemical or microbiological risk. Furthermore, 85 warnings were also sent out, mainly due to the absence of allergens on the label.

The so-called food safety barometer, which annually reflects the evolution of the general state of food safety in Belgium, rose by 2.2 percent in 2023. This is mainly due to fewer people being affected by possible food poisoning, a decrease in the number of cases of salmonellosis and less detection of the bacterium campylobacter in carcasses and cut meat.

“The percentage of positive checks shows us that the professional sectors are well aware of the importance of compliance with food safety rules. Thanks to this collective effort, we can maintain high standards that guarantee consumer confidence,” says David Clarinval (MR), Federal Minister of Agriculture.