2021/0546/DK
EC/EFTA
DK Denmark
  • C50A - Foodstuffs
2021-11-15
2021-08-19

Food

Draft order amending the order on food hygiene

A requirement is inserted in section 15(2) and in section 16(1) that raw milk which does not meet the criteria laid down for cell count or plate count may only be used for the production of cheeses with a minimum ripening period of 60 days and for dairy products produced in connection with the production of such cheeses.
The reason for this requirement is that the Hygiene Regulation for food of animal origin, Article 10(8)(b) of Regulation (EC) 853/2004, provides that a Member State may lay down national rules authorising the use of raw milk not complying with the criteria laid down in that Regulation for the production of cheeses with a minimum ripening period of 60 days and dairy products produced in connection with the manufacture of such cheeses.

Section 16(2) makes it possible to take the sample to prove that milk from a farm under enhanced surveillance can be delivered again from the first consignment of milk from the farm. In order to make use of the option, it is necessary that each collection of milk from the farm is routinely examined for cell counts and plate counts and that this was also routine before the start of the enhanced surveillance period. This means that the dairy does not have to drive to the farm to take a sample before the delivery can be resumed.
Section 17 is proposed to be adjusted so that in future it concerns only the control of criteria for raw cow’s milk under enhanced surveillance. There is no need for national regulation of the ordinary samples.
The provisions already laid down in the Hygiene Regulation for products of animal origin are removed from Annex 2, and it is clarified that the Annex concerns only samples taken under enhanced surveillance.
Provision is made for the use of working animals in food establishments. Work animals are now being trained, which have other useful functions in food businesses than, for example, pest control. A provision is therefore included in Section 37(4) to the effect that such specially trained animals may have access to food businesses in connection with the work of a professional operator, provided that this does not give rise to contamination of the food.