BRUSSELS — The European Commission has reinforced its efforts to safeguard food safety and public health through a recent Better Training for Safer Food (BTSF) workshop focused on the Codex Alimentarius, the global system of food standards.
Held in Brussels from 13 to 15 January, the training brought together newly appointed delegates involved in Codex work from EU Member States, as well as participants from Norway and Switzerland, to deepen understanding of how EU positions are developed and coordinated within the Codex Alimentarius. Through practical examples and interactive exercises, participants explored how the Codex system functions in practice.
BTSF is a long-standing European Commission initiative designed to improve the implementation and enforcement of EU legislation on food and feed law, animal health and welfare, and plant health.
The programme follows a One Health approach, recognising the interconnected nature of human, animal and environmental health.
During the workshop, participants examined the role of the Codex Alimentarius in setting international food standards and facilitating fair trade while protecting consumer health. The training focused on practical aspects of Codex work, including decision-making processes and the use of scientific evidence in standard-setting.
The Codex Alimentarius, established by the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations and the World Health Organization, serves as the primary global reference for food safety standards. Active and coordinated participation in Codex committees is considered essential for maintaining high levels of food safety and ensuring that EU regulatory principles are reflected in international rules.
The training also placed Codex activities within the framework of the Codex Strategic Plan up to 2031, underlining the EU’s long-term commitment to a strong, science-based international food standards system.
According to the Commission, strengthening technical expertise among national delegates supports more consistent enforcement of food safety rules within the EU and enhances Europe’s contribution to global food governance.
The Better Training for Safer Food initiative remains a key instrument in the EU’s broader strategy to protect public health, reinforce food safety systems and promote international cooperation in an increasingly complex global food chain.
Europe has faced several significant food safety challenges in recent years, ranging from large-scale product recalls to rising cases of serious foodborne infections. A major infant formula recall, increasing rates of Listeria infections and record numbers of foodborne outbreaks have highlighted ongoing vulnerabilities in the food supply chain.
Prolonged cross-border outbreaks, such as Salmonella linked to fresh produce, have underscored the complexity of tracing contamination in an integrated European market. At the same time, a growing number of food safety alerts points to persistent risks linked to both domestic and imported foods.
23.01.2026.
