WRITTEN QUESTION E-2833/02

by Anneli Hulthén (PSE) to the Commission

(9 October 2002)

Subject: Salmonella in meat preparations

Since November 2001 Sweden has no longer been allowed, according to the Commission, to carry out compulsory checks of its own for salmonella in meat preparations from another EU country after it was pointed out by the Commission that meat preparations are not covered by Sweden's guarantees against salmonella.

During 2002 Sweden's food standards agency and five Swedish municipalities investigated the incidence of salmonella in meat preparations such as marinated chicken, kebabs, spiced mincemeat and variously salted meats imported from other EU countries. The findings of this project have so far shown that approximately one third of the sampled batches tested positive for salmonella.

Is the Commission aware of the problem with salmonella in such meat preparations and can Sweden have its previous derogation extended to include meat preparations as well?

Answer given by Mr Byrne on behalf of the Commission

(15 November 2002)

The Commission has been informed about frequent findings of salmonella in meat preparations coming from other Member States to Sweden. The Commission is concerned about the situation.

Finland and Sweden were granted additional salmonella guarantees in the context of their accession to the Union. These guarantees cover the trade in certain live animals, eggs, fresh meat, fresh poultry meat and minced meat to Finland and Sweden. In order to extend these additional guarantees to meat preparations, the relevant Community legislation would need to be amended. However, it is noteworthy that Council Directive 94/65/EC of 14 December 1994 laying down the requirements for the production and placing on the market of minced meat and meat preparations(1) already lays down a salmonella criterion for meat preparations. Any meat preparation produced within the Community must comply with this criterion.

The Commission is of the opinion that when Community legislation already lays down a criterion for salmonella in meat preparations, there is no need to extend the additional salmonella guarantees to these products. However, the Commission is aware that the above-mentioned salmonella criterion may need to be reviewed. In this respect, the Commission is in the process of revising the current microbiological criteria in Community legislation, and is considering proposing improved sampling rules and a stricter limit for salmonella in meat preparations. This should contribute to decreasing the salmonella contamination in meat preparations throughout the whole Community.

In addition, the on-going revisions of Community legislation on food hygiene and zoonoses will strengthen the controls of salmonella along the whole food chain, from farm to table. This will have a positive impact on the salmonella situation in a number of foodstuffs including meat preparations.

(1) OJ L 368, 31.12.1994.