Analysis of RASFF notifications on contaminated dairy products from the last two decades: 2000-2020

Abstract

EU is the world’s leading exporter of cheese and one of the world’s top three suppliers of processed milk. Instruments such as those of the European Food and Feed Rapid Alert System (RASFF) play an increased role in consumer protection along global supply chains. On these premises, the objective was to analyze the status of RASFF notifications for milk and milk products food category, within the time frame 2000 ÷2020. The majority of dairy products were notified by France, Germany and Italy. Cheese was the most notified of all dairy products (84.43%), most of the transmitted food safety hazards being: microbial contaminants (68.4%), foreign bodies, adulteration / fraud, organoleptic aspects and residues of veterinary medicinal products. Notifications was usually based on company’s own check (35.47%) and official controls on the market (34.32%). A risk decision was not usually made, the taken actions including mainly recalls and withdrawals (56.95%) or destruction (7.96%). The results of this study can be used to prioritize and target research areas to identify key food safety topics, in particular fraudulent ones, to raise the awareness of the consumer and to promote and strengthen food safety legislation, with a focus on the European dairy sector.