Das BVL beugt vor Source: BVL

For instance, we search the internet for “black sheep” among internet traders. We check whether foodstuffs which may be questionable regarding health are on offer, and whether the trader has registered his or her shop with a food control authority in one of Germany’s federal Laender. The BVL carries out this research on behalf of all Laender. We have set up, to this end, a Central unit for control of internet-traded products under the Food and Feed Code and tobacco products. “Products under the Food and Feed Code” include foodstuffs, feeding stuffs, cosmetics and other consumer products which come into contact with food or the human body, such as tobacco products or toys. “Food and Feed Code” is abbreviated as “LFGB”, for “Lebensmittel- und Futtermittelgesetzbuch”, and is a fundamental Act of BVL activities.

In order to prevent food crises, the BVL takes care for fast exchange of relevant information between Germany and the European Union, and among the federal Laender. The BVL receives notifications about unsafe foodstuffs or consumer products. These notifications are checked, completed and transferred either to the European Commission or to contact offices in the federal Laender according to a prescribed protocol. This system is called Rapid Alert System. Foodstuffs, feeding stuffs, and food contact products such as packaging are covered by the Rapid Alert System for Food and Feed (RASFF), while consumer products such as tobacco or toys are covered by the Rapid Exchange of Information System (RAPEX). Notifications contain, among others, information on the kind of product, its origin, paths of manufacture and distribution, on the risk emanating from the product, and on the measures taken so far. All the notifications are also published on the BVL website daily, in accordance with data protection provisions.

In addition to the Rapid Alert System, the BVL has an early warning unit: the BeoWarn Watch and Warn Unit for Crisis Prevention. BeoWarn collects information about negative developments and compiles them into reports and information leaflets for Federal Government and Laender authorities, for use in preventive activities or in case of crisis.

to the top