EFSA has released its annual report on residues of veterinary medicines in animals and animal products for 2024. The findings show that compliance with official safety limits remains high.
What’s Inside the Report?
The report examines the presence of authorized and banned substances in food from animals. This includes meat, dairy, eggs, and honey. The substances studied range from hormones and steroids to antibacterials and insect repellents.
Key Data from 2024
This year’s data comes from EU member states, along with Iceland and Norway. Out of 493,664 samples tested, only 629 were non-compliant, yielding a non-compliance rate of 0.13%. This is slightly up from last year’s 0.11%. Here’s how the non-compliance breaks down:
- National risk-based control plan for production: 0.16%
- National random surveillance plan: 0.22%
- National control plan for imports from third countries: 0.20%
Public Concerns
According to a 2025 Eurobarometer survey, over a third of EU citizens (36%) are worried about antibiotic and hormone residues in meat. This is a slight decrease from 39% in 2022, suggesting growing confidence in food safety, yet indicating that concerns remain.
The EU’s Strategy
This report aids the European Commission and member states in assessing their control plans. It offers a clear view of the effectiveness of measures to limit harmful substances in the food chain. The goal is to further reduce non-compliance in the coming years.
Looking Ahead
The comprehensive dataset will be available on the EFSA Knowledge Junction. This open repository aims to foster transparency and support food safety risk assessments.
Why This Matters
Understanding food safety is crucial in today’s world. As consumers grow increasingly aware of what goes into their food, regulatory bodies must ensure the integrity of the food supply. The continuous monitoring and reporting by organizations like EFSA play a vital role in maintaining public trust.
By keeping updated on these trends and statistics, we can better grasp the ongoing efforts to ensure our food is safe, reflecting a commitment to a healthier future. For more detailed insights, you can explore the data further on the EFSA Knowledge Junction.
