Scaremongering of little use in food monitoring

quality of controls is crucial

The spokesman for the Ministry for the Environment and Forestry, Wolfgang Raber, described the statements made by the chairman of the Federal Association of Food Inspectors as "unhelpful". "A purely statistical comparison of the companies visited says nothing about the actual status of the food controls."

The number and type of companies examined differs from state to state. In Rhineland-Palatinate, for example, the competent authorities of the municipal administrations are obliged to regularly inspect the companies in all sectors that are affected by the Food and Consumer Goods Act. These businesses include not only stationary but also mobile facilities such as sales vehicles or sales stands that are only operated temporarily, snack and drink stands or similar facilities at major events, fairs, weekly markets and other public events.

The quality of the controls carried out is more decisive for an assessment. Rhineland-Palatinate was one of the first federal states to introduce consistent quality management for controls. In addition, there is a standardized and technically sound risk assessment: "That means, for example: companies that produce large quantities or sensitive goods are checked more frequently," said the spokesman.

The ministry spokesman resolutely rejects the impression that food only becomes "safe" after it has been checked. “In Germany we have very high standards for the production of food. In addition, manufacturers have self-monitoring systems. The state food control monitors these self-control systems on a random basis.” The food scandals that were uncovered did not change this in principle, but are also an example of the controls working.

Source: Mainz [ muf ]