Rapid Alert System, Crisis Management, Emergencies

Chapter IV of the food law 178/2002 is made of 3 sections :

- the rapid alert system
- the crisis management
- the emercencies

The Rapid Alert System is a network made of Member States, the Commission and the EFSA which enables notification of a direct or indirect risk to human health deriving from food or feed. Each participant to the Network designate a contact point where notifications are to be send.

When it is evident that food or feed is likely to constitue a serious risk to human health, and when other condiditions are fullfiled, the Commission can adopt measures to suspend the placing on the market or the use of the food (or feed) in question, or lay down special conditions for the food (or feed) in question (Section 2).

The Commission draw up in collaboration with EFSA a general plan for crisis management in the field of safety of food and feed. (Section 3)