Netherlands assesses potential risks; changes raw milk rules

Dutch experts discussed a range of microbial and chemical safety topics in 2src23 and rated them in terms of risk.

To identify new food safety risks as early as possible, the Ministry of Health, Welfare and Sport and the Ministry of Agriculture, Nature and Food Quality established the Signalling Consultation Food Safety (SO-V) in 2src2src. 

It has two parts. One for microbiological risks (SO-VM) and the other for chemical risks (SO-VC). Both sections include food safety experts from various institutes and the corporate sector. Experts collect signals and interpret them together. In 2src23, each section had four meetings in which 6src signals were discussed.

If a signal gives cause for further investigation it is referred to the Signalling Consultation Coordination. This includes representatives from the Ministry of Health, Welfare and Sport, the Ministry of Agriculture, Nature and Food Quality and the Netherlands Food and Consumer Product Safety Authority (NVWA). This group decides what, if any, actions should be taken in response to a signal. In 2src23, the SO-VM section referred two signals, and SO-VC referred six signals to the Signalling Consultation Coordination.

Summary of highlighted topics
Fifteen new signals were assessed by the microbial risks section. The chemical risks group looked into 36 new signals and nine open ones from previous years. For some signals, the interpretation by the SO-V was not complete so they were not included in the report.

Serious risks identified by SO-VM include the possible consequences of climate change for food safety, Listeria in enoki mushrooms that are not heated before consumption, Salmonella in fuet sausage, the increase of Vibrio, and the use of surface water for irrigation in the primary sector.

Other topics not judged as serious were pathogens in pet food, Arcobacter and Aeromonas as foodborne pathogens, a rise in Cryptosporidium, the risk from Streptococcus suis, and a predicted drop in vaccinations for Salmonella Typhimurium in the egg laying sector because of an EU subsidy reduction.

Serious risks discussed by SO-VC include food with unpermitted zinc and selenium, the use of veterinary medicines for insects used in animal feed and for human consumption, high caffeine levels in a supplement, papaya seeds and the intake of benzyl isothiocyanate, reactions to chlorhexidine in meat, exposure to contaminants when eating invasive exotic species, and wild herbs sold at markets.

Other issues not listed as serious were high levels of ethylene oxide in bananas, Clomiphene in eggs, as well as the hot chip challenge and drinking water with borax social media trends.

Raw milk rule change
Also in the Netherlands, rules on the sale of raw milk and raw cream have changed beginning at the start of this year. These products will need to be checked monthly for Salmonella, Campylobacter, and Shiga toxin-producing E. coli (STEC). Previous rules stated that raw cow’s milk intended for sale to consumers must meet certain pathogenic bacteria criteria but there was no testing frequency.

COKZ, the Dutch control body for dairy and eggs, will monitor compliance with the new rules, which apply to all types of raw milk.

If the pathogen testing criteria are met for six consecutive months, the frequency of testing can be reduced to once every two months. The data are stored for two years. If Salmonella, Campylobacter or STEC is detected, the sale of raw milk or raw cream must be stopped immediately and the NVWA informed within four hours of the result being known. Sales can be restarted when analysis finds the bacteria are no longer detected.

Changes were implemented based on recommendations from the NVWA’s Office for Risk Assessment and Research (BuRO). BuRO’s advice shows that it is reasonable to expect that raw milk will be consumed raw by consumers, despite the boiling instructions. This prompted the agency to suggest stricter hygiene requirements.

Critics of the move said costs associated with the amended requirements are disproportionate but supporters pointed to the need to protect public health due to expanded sales opportunities. Measures will be evaluated after two years, taking into account the burden on dairy farmers.