The focus: Rasff protects Berlin consumers!

The focus: Rasff protects Berlin consumers!

uncertain foods are a serious risk for consumers. Against this background, the role of the European fast warning system for food and feed (Rasff) is becoming increasingly important. This system was launched in 1979 and has since the task of reporting health -questioning foods that are contaminated with bacteria, foreign bodies, or not marked allergens, for example. Every year, almost 3,500 reports and over 10,000 follow -up reports are forwarded to the national authorities. Around 90% of these reports refer to food. This was explained by the [LAGESO] (https://www.berlin.de/lageso/service/pressemayeilungen/2025/Pressemage department. 1567553.php), which has been the Rasff-Landkontaktstelle for Berlin since 2018.

Alexander Straßmeir, President of the Lageso, emphasizes how crucial the Rasff is for food safety in the capital. The Berlin country contact point is in operation around the clock to analyze current reports on food and feed and forward them to the responsible bodies. Consumers have the option of obtaining current information about warnings and product recalls at [food warning.de] (https:/12/2019/12/12/rasff-zunstreimwarnungen/13688)

EU-wide system for food surveillance

The Rasff is part of a European framework that protects against harmful food. This initiative is not only of national, but also of European importance. The Member States work closely together to exchange security -relevant information. The Federal Office for Consumer Protection and Food Safety coordinates the national activities in Germany. There is a national coordination center that is responsible for the documentation of warnings of striking foods and officially arranged product recalls. This information will also be forwarded to other EU member states in order to tighten a wider safety net.

In Germany, similarities in food surveillance are controlled by municipal authorities that react to complaints in the areas of food, feed and objects of need. This system ensures that harmful products that are on the market can quickly be identified and pulled out of circulation. The close cooperation between the federal states and the EU ensures that consumers are protected across Europe.

In addition, more transparency is required, so that food companies have to provide information on traceability of affected products in the event of a crisis. Information about Rasff are available on the portal of the Federal Office and in the interactive online database Rasff Window, which offers access to notifications.