Italian adaptation to Regulation (EU) 2017/625 on food official controls: a case study

Abstract

Foodborne diseases can be prevented by implementing a food safety system that manages food chain risks from producer to end-user, from a One Health perspective. In 2017, the European Parliament and the European Council adopted Regulation No. 625 on official food controls and other official activities performed to ensure the application of food and feed laws and rules on animal health and welfare, plant health, and plant protection products. Italy issued a national law, Legislative Decree No. 27/2021, to adapt and adhere to European standards. We aim to describe the adoption and implementation of the new Legislative Decree by an Italian Food Hygiene and Nutrition Service, specifically focusing on the amendments introduced by Articles 7 and 8, namely the establishment of the second expert opinion and dispute procedures, and their integration with the promulgation of Article 70 of Legislative Decree No. 150/2022. These modifications aim to reduce the number of minor offenses that proceed to trial.