国际英语资讯:EU vows beefed-up measures to prevent food safety crisis_时事

国际英语资讯:EU vows beefed-up measures to prevent food safety crisis

BRUSSELS, Sept. 26 -- The European Commission and the European Union (EU) member states on Tuesday agreed to take concrete measures to prevent food safety crisis in the wake of Fipronil eggs contamination scandal.

According to the European Parliament, more than 20 EU member states have been affected by the scandal so far.

Millions of chicken eggs have already been withdrawn from the EU market and all farms where products containing Fipronil could have been used have been blocked from placing their potentially tainted products on the market.

国际英语资讯:EU vows beefed-up measures to prevent food safety crisis1

In a latest development regarding the scandal, further traces of Fipronil were found in tested egg samples from three Maltese farms earlier this month.

It was known in November 2016 that the problem existed in the Dutch company, Chickfriend, and the adequate measures were not taken. Moreover, the Belgian food safety agency discovered the contaminated eggs on June 2, but reported the issue to the EU as late as on July 20.

The incident has provoked concern in different sectors in Europe over the slow reaction of governments to the problem.

Members of the European Parliament criticized national authorities for delays in notifying the EU's Rapid Alert System for Food and Feed (RASFF) during a debate about the Fipronil eggs contamination on Aug. 31.

Some MEPs even said there were needs for fines for member states that failed to share crucial food safety information and truly dissuasive sanctions for fraudulent producers or suppliers of pest-control products.