The INC has formally submitted its response to the European Commission’s Call for Evidence on the Food and Feed Safety – Simplification Omnibus.
The INC expressed strong support for the Commission’s efforts to streamline regulatory procedures and reduce administrative burdens on food business operators. However, it called for greater clarity and harmonization in the interpretation of existing provisions under Regulation (EU) 2017/625, particularly Articles 66 and 67 governing the handling of non-compliant consignments.
The INC highlighted significant inconsistencies across Member States with respect to official controls at border posts, notably regarding the treatment of shipments exceeding aflatoxin limits. While some authorities allow re-dispatch or reprocessing under Article 66, others restrict options to destruction in line with Article 67, even in cases deemed low-risk. Such discrepancies lead to avoidable economic losses for SMEs and contribute to unnecessary food waste —contradicting the EU’s sustainability goals.
The submission also raised concerns about limited involvement of operators in decision-making, divergent practices in issuing RASFF alerts based on private testing, and confusion surrounding documentation requirements for re-dispatch to third countries.
The INC urged the Commission to provide unified guidance to ensure consistent application of the Official Controls Regulation across Member States. Clearer procedures would protect consumer safety while enabling proportionate, science-based decisions that prevent food loss and support fair trade.
The full comment is available at the European Commission’s public consultation portal: https://ec.europa.eu/info/law/better-regulation/have-your-say/initiatives/14824-Food-and-feed-safety-simplification-omnibus/F33088796_en