AFSCA

The Federal Agency for the Safety of the Food Chain (FASFC), known in Dutch as Federaal Agentschap voor de Veiligheid van de Voedselketen (FAVV) and in French as Agence Fédérale pour la Sécurité de la Chaîne Alimentaire (AFSCA), is a Belgian federal parastatal organization established by the law of February 4, 2000. Its primary responsibility is to evaluate and manage risks that could affect consumer health, as well as the health of animals and plants, by overseeing the safety of the entire food chain. (static.favv.be ) The agency integrates all control services pertinent to the food chain, conducting inspections of foodstuffs, animal feed, fertilizers, and plant protection products. It also implements preventive and control measures against animal diseases and plant health issues. Additionally, the FASFC is tasked with drafting operational regulations concerning inspections, certifications, and infrastructure standards that operators within the food chain must adhere to. Communication, particularly providing information to consumers, is also a key aspect of its mission. (static.favv.be ) The agency's mission is to ensure the safety and quality of the food chain to protect human, animal, and plant health. This involves overseeing control services for food, feed, fertilizers, and phytopharmaceutical products, as well as implementing measures to prevent and combat animal diseases and plant health issues. The FASFC also plays a crucial role in drafting operational regulations related to inspections, certifications, and infrastructure standards for operators within the food chain. Furthermore, the agency manages communication on all matters within its purview, particularly focusing on providing information to consumers. (static.favv.be ) In its efforts to maintain food safety, the FASFC issues circulars concerning the movement of equidae between Belgium, the Netherlands, the Grand Duchy of Luxembourg, and France. For instance, a circular was issued on May 12, 2026, addressing this matter. Additionally, the agency monitors plant health, with significant changes entering into force on May 5, 2026. In cases where products pose a risk to consumer health, the FASFC initiates product recalls, requesting consumers not to consume or use the product and to return it to the store.