New EU Commission report on the state of play of food safety culture controls in the EU
A report published on 12/06/2026 by the European Commission offers an insight into the progress of food safety culture controls across EU Member States. «Food safety culture» refers to the collective values, behaviours, and communication practices essential for effective food safety management systems. These elements require a commitment from both management and employees to ensure the safety of food production and distribution. Key aspects include leadership in food safety practices, awareness of hazards, and comprehensive communication among staff, alongside providing adequate resources for hygienic food handling.
The evaluation carried out by the Commission stems from relatively recent legislative requirements aiming to align with international standards by integrating food safety culture into food business operations.
The report presents the state of implementation following EU legislation amendments, noting that official controls are actively checking food safety culture aspects in approximately two-thirds of Member States, mainly as part of regular inspections and audits. Despite this progress, challenges persist, particularly in objectively assessing cultural elements and maintaining uniform control standards across the food industry.
In response to the identified challenges, several Member States have launched national initiatives to support food businesses in adopting robust food safety cultures and the related official controls. Some of these innovative measures are shared in the report for potential uptake and development by other authorities.