BTSF Non-EU Training Programme on Food & feed testing-non-EU - Residues of veterinary medicinal products.
The Health and Digital Executive Agency (HaDEA, formerly Chafea) organised, on behalf of the European Commission’s Health and Food Safety Directorate-General (DG SANTE), a cycle of 10 training sessions in the field of sampling and analysis methods used in the context of official food and feed controls within the “Better Training for Safer Food” initiative.
In total, 155 participants coming from selected non-EU countries in Eastern ENP and Mediterranean basin region, Central and South America, Africa and Asia have been invited during the project’s Phase 1 (2019-2020).
The overall objectives are:
- The overall project objective is to develop the ability of laboratory staff and management from non-EU countries to apply the sampling and analysis methods used in official food and feed controls. Considering the specificities of the VMP area, the goals of the European legislation, as well as the overall strategy of the BTSF initiative, the following objectives for this training course have been formulated:
- Raise awareness on all aspects related to control on residues of VMP in food and feed.
- Underline the need of assuring correct sampling procedures to reduce the error in the analytical results.
- Support the application of quality management standards for the laboratories to increase their performance and reliability levels.
- Improve the practical knowledge on simple and more advanced analytical methods to enhance the degree of accuracy and widen the number of substances determined.
- Foster exchange of best practices and ideas to increase the efficacy of knowledge transfer in analytical activities.
- Encourage networking and dissemination of knowledge among the trainees.
The course addresses the following topics:
- Topic 1: EU and international legislation, official controls and development of residues testing programmes.
- Topic 2: Import controls.
- Topic 3: Sampling, sample preparation and management.
- Topic 4: Methods validation.
- Topic 5: Screening methods.
- Topic 6: Confirmatory techniques and results analysis.
- Topic 7: Quality management in the laboratory.
The training is addressed to staff and management of public or private food testing laboratories designated to perform official controls on residues of VMP. The applicants must have a relevant professional and educational background, commit to disseminate the obtained knowledge among stakeholders in their home country and have a good working level of English.
| Session | Start Date | End Date | City | Country |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 08/07/2019 | 19/07/2019 | Dublin | Ireland |
| 2 | 11/11/2019 | 22/11/2019 | Porto/Vila do Conde | Portugal |
| 3 | 23/03/2020 | 03/04/2020 | Dublin | Ireland - CANCELLED |
| 4 | 10/10/2022 | 21/10/2022 | Dublin | Ireland |
| Phase II - 1 | 11/11/2024 | 22/11/2024 | Pulawy | Poland |
| Phase II - 2 | 20/01/2025 | 31/01/2025 | Dublin | Ireland |
| Phase II - 3 | 12/05/2025 | 23/05/2025 | Porto/Vila do Conde | Portugal |
BTSF Training Programme/Course on Food fraud/ e commerce - Investigation techniques - Food fraud
The overall objectives of the course are:
- To improve knowledge and skills of control staff on specific investigation techniques used to identify food fraud (FF) or to perform official control duties on e-commerce of food and food related products, disseminating best practices and enabling the exchange of practical experience.
The course addresses the following topics:
- To give tools and techniques to design, implement and manage food fraud units.
- To promote risk based investigations.
- To spread the knowledge on methods and investigation techniques for the prevention of food fraud.
This Training Programme has been designed for the profiles and positions described below. Please verify compliance with the selection criteria before submitting or validating applications.
- Officials from inspection bodies: ideally involved in planning and organizing control activities (preferably at central level) and Police investigators/ Customs.
| Session | Start Date | End Date | City | Country |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 04/10/2021 | 08/10/2021 | Virtual Classroom | Not applicable |
| 2 | 29/11/2021 | 03/12/2021 | Virtual Classroom | Not applicable |
| 3 | 14/02/2022 | 18/02/2022 | Virtual Classroom | Not applicable |
| 4 | 02/05/2022 NEW DATES! |
06/05/2022 NEW DATES! |
Virtual Classroom - POSTPONED | ORIGINNALLY 4-8/04/2022 |
| 5 | 26/09/2022 | 29/09/2022 | Tallinn | Estonia |
| 6 | 07/11/2022 | 10/11/2022 | Sevilla | Spain |
| 7 | 17/04/2023 | 20/04/2023 | Lisbon | Portugal |
The BTSF Training Programme on Food fraud/ e-commerce - Investigation techniques: E-commerce Basic was launched in 2013, as cases of food fraud were increasing, reaching a great dissemination by the Media at the time of the famous horse meat scandal.
- Food fraud cases can affect the whole food chain, sometimes using very sophisticated techniques, to avoid being detected. Internet offers multiple choices and options; complete command of these tools should be known and used by those fighting against food fraud products sold in internet.
- The current challenge not only requires new IT tools, but a better use of the information, methods and integrate this information in a more coordinated way, using the skills and expertise of food fraud units to attend these needs, and working in collaboration among administrations, between food safety authorities, police and judicial bodies.
- It also helps to disseminate best practices for official controls when flexibility is applied.
This course focuses on General investigation and control techniques.
Officials from inspection bodies: ideally involved in planning and organizing control activities (preferably at central level) and Police investigators/ Customs.
| Session | Start Date | End Date | City | Country |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 27/09/2021 | 01/10/2021 |
Virtual Classroom | Not applicable |
| 2 | 18/10/2021 | 22/10/2021 | Virtual Classroom | Not applicable |
| 3 | 25/04/2022 | 29/04/2022 | Virtual Classroom | Not applicable |
| 4 | 15/05/2023 | 18/05/2023 | Budapest | Hungary |
The BTSF training course on Food fraud/e-commerce - Investigation techniques - E-commerce Advanced level was launched in 2013, as cases of food fraud were increasing, reaching a great dissemination by the media at the time of the famous horse meat scandal. Food fraud cases can affect the whole food chain, sometimes using very sophisticated techniques, to avoid being detected. Internet offers multiple choices and options; complete command of these tools should be known and used by those fighting against food fraud products sold in internet.
The current challenge not only require new IT tools, but a better use of the information, methods and integrate this information in a more coordinated way, using the skills and expertise of food fraud units to attend these needs, and working in collaboration among administrations, between food safety authorities, police and judicial bodies.
This course focuses on E-commerce of food.
The BTSF Training Programme on New food investigation techniques: E-commerce Advanced level is aimed to improve knowledge and skills of control staff on specific investigation techniques used to identify food fraud (FF) or to perform official control duties on e-commerce of food and food related products, disseminating best practices and enabling the exchange of practical experience.
- To provide tools and techniques to identify internet food business operating and detect those not following the legal requirements; facilitate practical training on internet trading investigation; and spread knowledge on methods to investigate in different internet platforms, and learn practical and legal requirements to undertake official controls on internet food business; and ensure that the participants have a solid understanding of channels of communication, cooperation with different administrations and market stakeholders.
Topics EC1 Legal framework for internet control, hands on IT training, EU legislation, legal aspects and control purchase, setting up an IT system for internet investigations, International cooperation and cross border cooperation, future of on-line investigations. Lectures and practical exercises with laptops.
These are the same objectives as in the course "E-commerce standard level", however the level to reach will be higher as long as the practical exercises requested. Demonstrated experience in investigating food frauds in the internet is compulsory to attend.
EU legislation and law infringements, advanced level investigation tools, setting up contacts, cross border cooperation, future of on-line investigations. Practical approach and active contributions from participants is expected.
Enforcement staff currently working in internet search or control unit; same requirements as for Course B1, and indicate having at least 3 years’ experience working in competent authorities related to Internet investigations of food frauds. To attend, participants will have to provide information of one case study in which they have participated. This ensures previous knowledge of basic IT investigation techniques in order to be able to put hands on training knowing the basic tools and experience to make basic investigations.
For the three courses, participants should be able to work and make interventions in English, and compromise to disseminate the learnings gained. Guidance on how to disseminate the knowledge will be provided during the sessions, and a follow up questionnaire will be performed to participants attending.
| Session | Start Date | End Date | City | Country |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 14/03/2022 | 18/03/2022 | Virtual Course | Not applicable |
| 2 | 13/06/2022 | 16/06/2022 | Madrid | Spain |
| 3 | 17/10/2022 | 20/10/2022 | Budapest | Hungary |
The BTSF Non-EU Training Programme on Food Fraud Non-EU overall objective is:
- to develop cooperation activities with non-EU trade partners with a view to improve the effectiveness of official control systems in relation to fraudulent practices across the agri-food chain, including Internet sales, and their ability to detect frauds.
The course addresses the following topics:
- EU Control System and consistency with international trade rules (WTO, SPS, TBT);
- Organisation of the official controls on agri-food products in the EU: legal framework and practical experiences;
- Competent Authorities and Food Business Operators’ responsibilities and rules governing trade and imports of agri-food products from non-EU countries;
- EU information management systems and e-certification;
- Good practices, procedures and requirements relating to issuance of e-certificate: practical examples;
- Overview on EU agri-food fraud policy;
- Vulnerability of the food chain to agri-food fraud;
- Agri-food fraud: competent authorities and industry prevention role; Vulnerability analyses and control prioritisation;
- Investigation techniques: introduction to criminal law related to the food area, theory and practical examples of investigation, how to use control rules to investigate a suspicion of fraud, Good practices, tools and procedures relating to investigation techniques;
- Conducting an investigation: basic rules and practical examples;
- Overview on EU digital trade and EU e-commerce policy;
- Controls on e-commerce: risk assessment, IT tools and evidence gathering, control purchase; Good practices on e-commerce surveillance for preventing threats;
- Cooperation on e-commerce (cooperation with stakeholders including trading, producer and consumer organisations and market places/selling platforms, cross-border cooperation);
- Establishing communication channels with police and judiciary authorities;
- Setting up permanent information gathering from consumers;
- Setting up permanent information gathering from "whistleblowers".
This Training Programme has been designed for the profiles and positions described below. Please verify compliance with the selection criteria before submitting or validating applications.
- officials from competent authorities in non-EU countries involved in planning and organising official control activities (preferably at national/regional levels) in relation to fraudulent practices across the agri-food chain.
| Session | Start Date | End Date | City | Country |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 10/10/2022 | 13/10/2022 | Amman | Jordan |
| 2 | 30/01/2023 | 02/02/2023 | Buenos Aires | Argentina |
| 3 | 06/03/2023 | 09/03/2023 | Addis Abeba | Ethiopia |
| 4 | 24/04/2023 | 27/04/2023 | Danang | Vietnam |
| 5 | 29/05/2023 | 01/06/2023 | Astana | Kazakhistan |
| CANCELLED | ||||
| 6 | 10/07/2023 | 13/07/2023 | Bangalore | India |
| 7 | 16/10/2023 | 19/10/2023 | Casablanca | Morocco |
| 8 | 30/10/2023 | 03/11/2023 | Bogotá | Colombia |
Welcome to the BTSF Training Programme on Food hygiene-flexibility.
In order to protect food diversity and to serve consumers and the needs of small-scale producers, EU legislation provides ample possibilities to adapt the technical requirements of the Food Hygiene Package in function of the nature of the food business concerned. Information and training can be strategic tools to help the Member States to develop a better understanding of the provisions and fine-tune use of flexibility measures contained in the hygiene Regulations.
- Inspections of small processing establishments of food of animal and non-animal origin.
- Approval of food-producing/processing establishments and risk-based controls.
- Notification procedure.
- HACCP and sampling plans.
- Microbiological criteria.
| Session | Start Date | End Date | City | Country |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 20/09/2021 | 24/09/2021 | VC | VC |
| 2 | 18/10/2021 | 22/10/2021 | VC | VC |
| 3 | 29/11/2021 | 03/12/2021 | VC | VC |
| 4 | 07/02/2022 | 11/02/2022 | VC | VC |
| 5 | 21/03/2022 | 25/03/2022 | VC | VC |
| 6 | 16/05/2022 | 20/05/2022 | Turin | Italy |
| 7 | 06/06/2022 | 10/06/2022 | Vilnius | Lithuania |
| 8 | 04/07/2022 | 08/07/2022 | Viseu | Portugal |
| 9 | 17/10/2022 | 21/10/2022 | Turin | Italy |
| Cancelled | 21/11/2022 | 25/11/2022 | Barcelona | Spain |
| 10 | 16/01/2023 | 20/01/2023 | Barcelona | Spain |
| 11 | 13/02/2023 | 17/02/2023 | Turin |
Italy |
| 12 | 13/03/2023 | 17/03/2023 | Girona | Spain |
| 13 | 17/04/2023 | 21/04/2023 | Porto | Portugal |
| 14 | 08/05/2023 | 12/05/2023 | Zagreb |
Croatia |
| 15 | 05/06/2023 | 09/06/2023 | Turin |
Italy |
| 16 | 18/09/2023 | 22/09/2023 | Vilnius | Lithuania |
The BTSF Training Programme on Food hygiene and controls of meat, including derived products
The European Union (EU) has developed a wide range of measures aimed at ensuring a high standard of hygiene during food production and proper control of foodstuffs. Some of these rules apply to all food business operators, cover the entire food chain and deal with all types of food. Others are directed to competent authorities in charge of controlling the food chain.
The Commission in collaboration with Member States issued several guidance documents in order to elaborate and give practical examples of some of the complex requirements mentioned in Regulations (EC) No 852/2004 and No 853/2004, including the one concerning implementation of procedures based on the HACCP principles. Regulation 2017/625 has a general scope covering official controls over the entire food chain. It aims at ensuring a harmonised approach and creates a high level of expertise with regard to official control activities for the verification of compliance with SPS rules.
The overall objectives are:
- To know the new framework and legislative requirements in the performance of official control of animal origin, especially on food hygiene and controls of meat;
- To interpret the EU Commission’s point of view on how to best implement the new legislation;
- To harmonize enforcement of the legislation and indicate weak points of official controls in the past;
- To intervene and take part in the discussions among participants and tutors in order to promote an exchange of knowledge based on previous experience.
The topics addressed in the courses will include:
- Legislative requirements concerning registration and/or (conditional) approval of establishments and in particular low-capacity establishments;
- General and meat specific hygiene requirements and HACCP-based procedures, traceability, welfare issues and special focus on topics/peculiarities regarding steps at and beyond slaughter (minced meat, meat preparations and meat products), etc.;
- Official controls concerning primary production, inspections in slaughterhouses, game-handling and other meat establishments, peculiarities with regard to fresh meat, farmed game, wild game, emergency slaughter, risk-based inspection, use of flexibility provisions, etc.;
- Official controls concerning microbiological criteria, sampling methods, requirements for Trichinella examination and other specialised inspection procedures, etc.;
- On-the-spot visits followed by debriefing sessions within establishments involved in the production or processing of meat and/or meat products.
The training is addressed both to:
- a) officials from Competent Authorities involved in planning control activities on meat hygiene (preferably at central and/or regional level);
- b) field inspectors involved in control activities on meat hygiene, including meat inspection
The selection of participants will be carried out by the National Contact Points.
| Session | Start Date | End Date | City | Country |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 23/05/2022 | 27/05/2022 | Valencia | Spain |
| 2 | 17/10/2022 | 21/10/2022 | Valencia | Spain |
| 3 | 12/12/2022 |
16/12/2022 | Dublin | Ireland |
| 4 | 13/02/2023 | 17/02/2023 | Rome | Italy |
| 5 | 13/03/2023 | 17/03/2023 | Vienna | Austria |
| 6 | 24/04/2023 | 28/04/2023 | Muenster | Germany |
| 7 | 08/05/2023 | 12/05/2023 | Valencia | Spain |
| 8 | 05/06/2023 | 09/06/2023 | Dublin | Ireland |
| 9 | 11/09/2023 | 15/09/2023 | Muenster | German |
| 10 | 09/10/2023 | 13/10/2023 | Rome | Italy |
The overall objectives of the BTSF Training Programme on Food hygiene primary production - Aquatic Animals are:
- To develop a broad knowledge of different hazards (chemical, biological and physical) that can occur along the food chain;
- To provide information about problems that are inherent to specific production, processing, conservation and distribution methotds to identify non-compliance and fraudulent practices;
- To raise awarness and develop knowledge about the EU laws and ensure their correct enforcement;
- To promote a harmonised approch to the operation of EU and national control systems by sharing best practices.
This Training Programme has been designed for the profiles and positions described below. Please verify compliance with the selection criteria before submitting or validating applications.
- Staff of Competent Authorities involved in official control activities.
- It should be clear from their background and professional position that the participation in the training activity is a key element for the improvement of their skills and competence for their job.
- The trainees should have the required technical skills related to the fields mentioned under.
- The course will be held in English. In order to be able to understand and actively participate in the sessions, exercises and case studies, we invite you to give priority to only register the participants who can read and speak English.
- The participants will be requested to commit themselves to use the knowledge gained from the courses and also disseminate it via different dissemination methods i.e. informing colleagues about the information received at the training, distributing (photocopying or sending via electronic way) the training material among their colleagues, preparing informative articles in the professional national or, if possible, in international journals, preparing presentations based on the training material for the National Competent Authorities’ professional trainings or other dissemination methods which could be appropriate to share the information received via the BTSF trainings.
| Session | Start Date | End Date | City | Country |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3 | 20/11/2023 | 24/11/2023 | Vigo | Spain |
| 4 | 12/02/2024 | 16/02/2024 | Treviso | Italy |
| 6 | 08/04/2024 | 12/04/2024 | Treviso | Italy |
BTSF Training Programme on Food hygiene primary production - domestic land animals
Training courses will consist of a mix of theoretical and practical sessions The training courses will improve practical application of the EU provisions, legislations and precautionary measures related to general hygiene rules and controls applying to food business rearing domestic land animals (e.g. cattle, pigs and poultry) or producing primary products of animal origin derived thereof.
These trainings are meant to strengthen the NCA and to ensure a harmonized approach on the implementation of legislation and official controls throughout the EU member states. Such approach ensures and maintains a high level of consumer protection and animal, promotes a harmonized approach to the operation of Community and national control systems, enhances trade of safe food and creates an equal level playing field for all food businesses.
The legislative “Food Package” dates of 2004 and as evolved ever since, adapting to the reality and answering the needs and the crisis that arose since that date. Guides to good practices were created and proven to be very useful to the Veterinary Officers/Inspectors/Official Staff of the NCA and also to the primary producers all around Europe.
A big part of the needs assessment on these fields, in terms of training, is obtained through the FVO Audits results, DG Health and Food Safety audits and inspections and from the feedback given by the MS.
Training on Official controls on this area of primary production (meat) is proven to be essential and a recurrent need to several EU countries. Once all the legislative context is explained, several specific topics on each domain will be discussed; adding to this, a wide and relevant practical content using innovative methods and tools and a field visit will give an in-depth big picture of the training subjects.
For each topic a specialized team of experts was gathered paying close attention not only to their scientific and technical knowledge but also to their training and communication competences.
This Training Programme has been designed for the profiles and positions described below. Please verify compliance with the selection criteria before submitting or validating applications.
- Staff of Competent Authorities involved in official control activities.
Selection Criteria
- It should be clear from their background and professional position that the participation in the training activity is a key element for the improvement of their skills and competence for their job.
- The trainees should have the required technical skills related to the fields mentioned under.
- The course will be held in English. In order to be able to understand and actively participate in the sessions, exercises and case studies, we invite you to give priority to only register the participants who can read and speak English.
- The participants will be requested to commit themselves to use the knowledge gained from the courses and also disseminate it via different dissemination methods i.e. informing colleagues about the information received at the training, distributing (photocopying or sending via electronic way) the training material among their colleagues, preparing informative articles in the professional national or, if possible, in international journals, preparing presentations based on the training material for the National Competent Authorities’ professional trainings or other dissemination methods which could be appropriate to share the information received via the BTSF trainings.
| Session | Start Date | End Date | City | Country |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 5 | 04/03/2024 | 08/03/2024 | Vienna | Austria |
| 11 | 14/10/2024 | 18/10/2024 | Vienna | Austria |
The overall objectives of the BTSF Training Programme on Food hygiene primary production - Live Bivalve Molluscs are:
- Develop a broad knowledge of different hazards (chemical, biological and physical) that can occur along the food chain;
- Provide information about problems that are inherent to specific production, processing, conservation and distribution methotds to identify non-compliance and fraudulent practices;
- Raise awarness and develop knowledge about the EU laws and ensure their correct enforcement;
- Promote a harmonised approch to the operation of EU and national control systems by sharing best practices.
This Training Programme has been designed for the profiles and positions described below. Please verify compliance with the selection criteria before submitting or validating applications.
- Staff of Competent Authorities involved in official control activities.
Selection Criteria
- It should be clear from their background and professional position that the participation in the training activity is a key element for the improvement of their skills and competence for their job.
- The trainees should have the required technical skills related to the fields mentioned under.
- The course will be held in English. In order to be able to understand and actively participate in the sessions, exercises and case studies, we invite you to give priority to only register the participants who can read and speak English.
- The participants will be requested to commit themselves to use the knowledge gained from the courses and also disseminate it via different dissemination methods i.e. informing colleagues about the information received at the training, distributing (photocopying or sending via electronic way) the training material among their colleagues, preparing informative articles in the professional national or, if possible, in international journals, preparing presentations based on the training material for the National Competent Authorities’ professional trainings or other dissemination methods which could be appropriate to share the information received via the BTSF trainings.
| Session | Start Date | End Date | City | Country |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 10 | 07/10/2024 | 11/10/2024 | Vigo | Spain |
| 12 | 25/11/2024 | 29/11/2024 | Vigo | Spain |
The overall objectives of the BTSF Training Programme on Food hygiene primary production - Plant products are:
- to develop a broad knowledge of different hazards (chemical, biological and physical) that can occur along the food chain;
- to provide information about problems that are inherent to specific production, processing, conservation and distribution methotds to identify non-compliance and fraudulent practices;
- to raise awarness and develop knowledge about the EU laws and ensure their correct enforcement;
- to promote a harmonised approch to the operation of EU and national control systems by sharing best practices.
This Training Programme has been designed for the profiles and positions described below. Please verify compliance with the selection criteria before submitting or validating applications.
- Staff of Competent Authorities involved in official control activities.
Selection Criteria
- It should be clear from their background and professional position that the participation in the training activity is a key element for the improvement of their skills and competence for their job.
- The trainees should have the required technical skills related to the fields mentioned under.
- The course will be held in English. In order to be able to understand and actively participate in the sessions, exercises and case studies, we invite you to give priorityto only register the participants who can read and speak English.
- The participants will be requested to commit themselves to use the knowledge gained from the courses and also disseminate it via different dissemination methods i.e. informing colleagues about the information received at the training, distributing (photocopying or sending via electronic way) the training material among their colleagues, preparing informative articles in the professional national or, if possible, in international journals, preparing presentations based on the training material for the National Competent Authorities’ professional trainings or other dissemination methods which could be appropriate to share the information received via the BTSF trainings.
| Session | Start Date | End Date | City | Country |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 23/09/2023 | 27/09/2023 | Budapest | Hungary |
| 2 | 30/10/2023 | 03/11/2023 | Valencia | Spain |
| 7 | 22/04/2024 | 26/04/2024 | Valencia | Spain |
| 8 | 03/06/2024 | 07/06/2024 | Valencia | Spain |
| 9 | 30/09/2024 | 04/10/2024 | Bologna | Italy |
The objective of the present programme is to spread knowledge and best practices in relation with general food labelling and claims as well as on specific categories of foods such as food supplements, foods with added vitamins and minerals and foods for specific groups of the population food composition and information, as per the requirements of the EU Food Law. The contract requests the provision of training courses addressing the latest developments, as well as in the implementation of controls.
The objective of this training course is to share good practices and harmonise the implementation among EU Member States of the official controls on food labelling and to inform non-EU countries.
During the course, attendees will look at the food information regulations in detail and experience a number of training situations to explore the regulations. FIC is a horizontal legislation and covers all areas where food is supplied to the consumer. The food retail market is both enormous and vibrant. There are thousands of new food products presented to the EU market every year. The course cannot cover all food products completely. Attendees will therefore role play different situations and products to which the regulations apply. The aim is for participants to learn lessons and to help develop a consistent approach to enforcement with colleagues from other member states.
The BTSF Training Programme on Food information and composition overall objectives are:
Food Information and Legislation:
- In the course, the participants will experience active learning involvements which the team have developed from the experience of the tutors over the previous BTSF programme on FCI. The FCI is detailed in some areas and these details can help in explaining the requirements of the regulations in other areas. The tutors will develop scenarios using their experience in the field and help the participants address the issues and expand their knowledge. The participants can also develop this approach to learning as they will also be able to come with their own ideas and labelling issues and use the expertise of those on the course to develop a more consistent approach to address these local issues thrown up by the FCI.
Nutrition and Health Claims:
- The objective of the training is to improve the knowledge of participants in the field of nutrition and health claims and to exchange information and experiences between officials of the different Member States, in particular concerning the proper enforcement of the Regulation. The aim of the sessions is to explain the variety of claims defined in Regulation (EC) No 1924/2006 and under which conditions these claims are allowed to be used. Furthermore, the different procedures for the authorization of health claims, the rules for trademarks and brand names which can be regarded as nutrition or health claims and the labelling requirements will be discussed
Food fortification and Food Supplement:
- The objective of this training course is to harmonise as much as possible the interpretations of relevant European FCI regulations on food supplements and fortified foods and to share good practices on their implementation among EU Member States, giving consideration to the specificities of these particular food products
Food for Specific Groups:
- The objective of the section on Foods for Specific Groups (FSG) is to ensure a common understanding, interpretation and enforcement of the rules covering these products.
- The rules applicable to these products are in a transition period. They are also interconnected with rules applicable to other categories of foods such as food supplements and ordinary foods. The change from the wider concept of foods for particular nutritional uses (PARNUTS) or dietetic foods with the abolition of the category as such is a very important change. The rationale of this change will be explained with reference to abuses that had been identified in the past, in particular those relating to abusive labelling practices that resulted in and may continue to create confusion about the legal identity or categorisation of products that could be FSGs, particularly Foods for Special Medical Purposes (FSMPs), food supplements or ordinary foods with claims.
The course addresses the following topics:
- Food Information and Legislation
- Regulation on the Provision of Food Information to Consumers (1169/2011)
- Lectures with all the slides used
- Delegating and Implementing acts made under 1169/2011
- List of EU legislation with further labelling provisions
- Guidance produced by the Commission on food labelling provisions, including the infographic on food information and the tolerances for nutrition labelling.
- Commission’s Q&A on 1169/2011
- Nutrition and Health Claims
- Nutrition and health claims and how to apply official controls on this matter
- Objectives of Regulation (EC) No 1924/2006
- Role of the European Commission and EFSA
- Examples of some exercises with solutions
- Food fortification and Food Supplement
- Consumer information legislation and practice on food supplements and fortified foods
- Definitions of food supplements and fortified foods and their market importance
- Relevant EU regulations
- Examples of some exercises with solutions
- Food for Specific Groups
- Legislation on Food for Specific Groups
- Labelling requirements for Total Diet Replacement Food and Food for Specific Medical Purpose
- Labelling requirements regarding for Baby Food products
The selection criteria for participants are:
- Relevancy to daily work: participants should in priority be staff of Competent Authorities, with a position related to Official Controls;
- Sufficient level of language: in order to ensure the transfer of knowledge and opportunities to exchange views, participants should master the language of the training session for which they applied, if not specified otherwise the official language of the workshops will be English.
- Ability to share their experience: priority will be given to participants whose position will allow them to share with colleagues the outputs of the training sessions.
- Preferably officers working at food control authorities in a central administration level or local administration level and who are responsible for the development, coordination or implementation of the official monitoring and controls plans.
- IT requirements: the participants will need a laptop with up-to-date software, with camera and microphone (built in or external) and reliable WIFI connection.
| Session | Start Date | End Date | location | Organiser |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 13 | 19/04/2021 | 23/04/2021 | Online | AETS |
| 14 | 17/05/2021 | 21/05/2021 | Online | AINIA |
| 15 | 07/06/2021 | 11/06/2021 | Online | AETS |
| 16 | 05/07/2021 | 09/07/2021 | Online | AETS |
| 17 | 18/10/2021 | 22/10/2021 | Online | AETS |
| 18 | 13/12/2021 | 17/12/2021 | Online | AETS |
| 19 | 07/02/2022 | 11/02/2022 | Online | AINIA |
| 20 | 14/03/2022 | 18/03/2022 | Online | AETS |
| 21 | 25/04/2022 | 29/04/2022 | Online | AESA |
| 22 | 30/05/2022 | 03/06/2022 | Madrid, Spain | AENOR |
| 23 | 04/07/2022 | 08/07/2022 | Valencia, Spain | AINIA |
| 24 | 31/10/2022 | 04/11/2022 | Bratislava, Slovakia | AETS |
Organisation and implementation of training activities on the implementation of union rules in relation to microbiological criteria and on the monitoring and control of zoonoses agents under the Better Training For Safer Food initiative.
The objective of the MCZ course, (contract n°2017 96 04 / 2017 / CHAFEA / BTSF 04) is to harmonise the approaches and to spread knowledge and best practice concerning:
- Module 1 -General Microbiological Criteria (Course 1: McA)
The training targets participants from the competents authorities of EU member states (75%), Candidate Countries (15%), EFTA/EEA Countries (3%), ENP and Potential Candidates.
| Session | Start Date | End Date | Location | Module |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 09 | 21/06/2021 | 24/06/2021 | Online | McA |
| 10 | 19/07/2021 | 22/07/2021 | Online | McA |
| 11 | 11/10/2021 | 14/10/2021 | Online | McA |
| 12 | 07/12/2021 | 10/12/2021 | Online | McA |
| 13 | 14/02/2022 | 17/02/2022 | Online | McA |
| 14 | 28/03/2022 | 31/03/2022 | Online | McA |
Organisation and implementation of training activities on the implementation of union rules in relation to microbiological criteria and on the monitoring and control of zoonoses agents under the Better Training For Safer Food initiative.
The objective of the MCZ course, (contract n°2017 96 04 / 2017 / CHAFEA / BTSF 04) is to harmonise the approaches and to spread knowledge and best practice concerning:
- Module 3 – Implementation of microbiological criteria (Course 3: Mc B) with the main focus on ready to eat food shelf-life assessment specific to Listeria M.
The training targets participants from the competents authorities of EU member states (75%), Candidate Countries (15%), EFTA/EEA Countries (3%), ENP and Potential Candidates.
| Session | Start Date | End Date | Location | Module |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 21/06/2022 | 24/06/2022 | Trim, Ireland | McB |
| 2 | 19/09/2022 | 22/09/2022 | Trim, Ireland | McB |
| 3 | 07/11/2022 | 10/11/2022 | Sofia, Bulgaria | McB |
| 4 | 12/12/2022 | 15/12/2022 | Silema, Malta | McB |
Organisation and implementation of training activities on the implementation of union rules in relation to microbiological criteria and on the monitoring and control of zoonoses agents under the Better Training For Safer Food initiative.
The objective of the MCZ course, (contract n°2017 96 04 / 2017 / CHAFEA / BTSF 04) is to harmonise the approaches and to spread knowledge and best practice concerning:
- Module 2 – Control of zoonoses, with a particular focus on the control of Salmonella in poultry and pigs and Campylobacter along the poultry meat production chain (Course 2: Zoonoses).
The training targets participants from the competents authorities of EU member states (75%), Candidate Countries (15%), EFTA/EEA Countries (3%), ENP and Potential Candidates.
| Session | Start Date | End Date | Location | Module |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 7 | 24/05/2021 | 27/05/2021 | Online | Zoonoses |
| 8 | 12/07/2021 | 15/07/2021 | Online | Zoonoses |
| 9 | 27/09/2021 | 30/10/2021 | Online | Zoonoses |
| 10 | 25/04/2022 | 28/04/2022 | Online | Zoonoses |
| 11 | 23/05/2022 | 26/05/2022 | Online | Zoonoses |
| 12 | 11/07/2022 | 14/07/2022 | Trim, Ireland | Zoonoses |
| 13 | 17/10/2022 | 20/10/2022 | Venice, Italy | Zoonoses |
| 14 | 21/11/2022 | 24/11/2022 | Silema, Malta | Zoonoses |
BTSF workshop on Microbiological risks food of non-animal origin.
The overall objectives of the BTSF Training Programme/Course on Supporting effective participation in CODEX activities for CCAfrica countries are:
- To strengthen the capacity of African member countries to participate actively in the work of the Codex Alimentarius Commission and its subsidiary bodies.
This Training Programme has been designed for the profiles and positions described below.
- National competent authority in Codex Alimentarius related subjects
- DG SANTE, HaDEA, Contractor, NCPs, officials, others
| Session | Start Date | End Date | City | Country |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 4 | 11/10/2022 | 14/10/2022 | Addis Ababa | Ethiopia |
Welcome to the BTSFTraining Programme on Supporting Effective Participation in CODEX Activities for CCEURO countries.
The objective is to strengthen the capacity of the member countries of Europe and Central Asia (other than EU, EFTA and UK) to participate actively in the work of the Codex Alimentarius Commission and its subsidiary bodies.as well as the overall strategy of the BTSF initiative, the following objectives for this training course have been formulated:
- To spread knowledge and experience about the international trading system in agri-food products (WTO, SPS) and the role of international standard setting bodies, with particular focus on the work of Codex.
- To strengthen the capacity of countries in the region to participate actively in the development and implementation of standards by the Codex Alimentarius Commission (CAC) and its subsidiary bodies,
- To explain the organization, management and procedures of Codex bodies and support the establishment in participating countries of a strong, solid and sustainable national capacity to engage in Codex.
- To support the use and relevance of Codex standards, guidelines and codes of practice by countries in the region as an essential component of a science- and rule-based food safety system.
This Training Programme has been designed for the profiles and positions described below. Please verify compliance with the selection criteria before submitting or validating applications.
- DG SANTE, HaDEA, Contractor, NCPs, officials, others.
- Invited countries: Albania, Armenia, Azerbaijan, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Georgia, Israel. Republic of North Macedonia, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Moldova, Montenegro, Russian Federation, San Marino, Serbia, Tajikistan, Turkey, Turkmenistan, Ukraine and Uzbekistan.
| Session | Start date | End date | City | Country |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 29/11/2021 | 3/12/2021 | N/A | N/A |
