Latest news and stories about food safety in europe in Portugal for expats and residents.
The European Union has suspended imports of meat, poultry, eggs, and honey from Brazil due to unresolved food safety concerns. While the Portuguese government has downplayed the potential economic impact of the ban, the measure takes effect immediately despite requests from Brazil to reverse the decision.
The European Union is set to suspend imports of beef and other animal products from Brazil starting Thursday, September 3. European Commissioner for Health and Animal Welfare Oliver Varhelyi confirmed the decision, citing unresolved food safety issues that affect products including poultry, eggs, and honey.
The European Union considers that aspartame, found for example in soft drinks and yoghurts, does not pose health risks. The decision has been criticised, and an NGO highlights its carcinogenic potential.
The European Food Safety Authority (EFSA) determined on Thursday that the use of aspartame-acesulfame salt (E 962) as a food additive poses no health risks, a conclusion strongly contested by several non-governmental organisations (NGOs).
The import of meat from Brazil has been suspended. The European Union states that the country does not comply with community regulations and that the consumption of this meat poses health risks.
New restrictions on the import of Brazilian meat products into Portugal will come into effect this Thursday.
Nelson Garrone, CNN Portugal's correspondent in Brazil, analysed the entry into force of the ban on the import of picanha and other Brazilian meats into the European Union.
At issue is a suspension, which will come into effect on Thursday and will affect several categories of Brazilian animal-origin products intended for human consumption.
Brussels says it does not have guarantees that the meat and honey imported from Brazil comply with all safety regulations.
The ban on imports of beef, poultry, honey, and fish from Brazil will take effect on September 3rd. The European Commission was not satisfied with the arguments presented by the country.
The ban on Brazilian beef was confirmed by the office of the European Commissioner for Health and Animal Welfare.
“Forever chemicals” are used in pizza boxes, microwave popcorn bags, fast-food packaging, or paper for bakery products. These compounds are highly persistent in the environment and have a high capacity to accumulate in organisms.
The regulation will be progressively implemented until 2030.
New regulations regarding plastic food packaging have been introduced within the European Union.
Measures aim to limit the amount of “forever chemicals” in food packaging.
From August 12th, all packaging in direct contact with food must comply with new European limits for “forever chemical” compounds. The goal is to protect human health.
In May, the EU removed Brazil from the list of countries authorised to export animal-derived products for human consumption, and the decision comes into effect on 3 September 2026.
Eating fruit is important and tasty, but we do not always know where what we are eating comes from, whether it is truly natural, or if it contains hidden ingredients. Get to know the updates in the new “Breakfast Directive”.
The Brazilian Ministry of Foreign Affairs announced a bilateral agreement with the European Union to analyse 'difficulties' in the export process of animal products to the bloc, which has decided to impose a veto on Brazil starting September 3rd. According to European authorities, Brazilian meat production is not free from the use of antimicrobials, substances prohibited by the bloc. Brazil is attempting to reverse the situation. During the G7 summit in France, President Lula discussed the issue with the President of the European Council, António Costa, and the President of the European Commission, Ursula von der Leyen.
Brazil loses authorisation to export meat to the region following a stalemate over the use of antimicrobials. The bloc states that the country failed to prove the adoption of measures that were supposed to come into effect by 3 September.
There were 585 outbreaks recorded among pigs and 11,036 in wild boar in 2025. The number of affected member states rose to 14, after the disease reappeared in Spain last year, 31 years later.
The EU is preparing to approve a regulation that will allow the sale of some genetically edited foods without label indications, provided there is no introduction of external genetic material. Proponents say the measure accelerates agricultural innovation and helps address the climate crisis. Critics warn of a setback in food transparency.
The Brazilian government expressed surprise at the European Union's decision to ban the export of meat and animal products from the country starting in September, citing health risks due to the use of antimicrobial substances. The veto was announced shortly after the partial entry into force of the trade agreement between Mercosur and the EU. The Ministry of Agriculture and Livestock stated that Brazil has a robust sanitary system of internationally recognised quality. However, the EU maintains that Brazil has not sufficiently demonstrated that these substances are no longer used throughout the production chain. Journalist Iara Lemos suggests the veto is linked to dissatisfaction among agricultural sectors in countries like France, Italy, and Ireland, who fear competition from Mercosur products.
The Brazilian government stated this Tuesday that it received with “surprise” the European Union's (EU) decision to remove Brazil from the list of countries authorised to export animal-origin products for human consumption to the bloc. In a joint statement, the ministries of Agriculture and Livestock, Foreign Affairs, and Development, Industry, Trade and Services...
The updated list excludes Brazil, which in 2024 was permitted to export animals and meat to the EU, among other products. The European Commission confirmed that Brazil is not included in the list, meaning it will no longer be able to export goods to the EU—including live animals for food production and derived products such as cattle, horses, poultry, eggs, aquaculture, honey, and casings—effective from 3 September. To be reinstated, Brazil must ensure compliance with EU requirements regarding the use of antimicrobials throughout the lifecycle of the animals. The EU prohibits the use of antimicrobials for growth promotion and restricts the use of antibiotics reserved for human infections. Other Mercosur countries remain on the authorized list.
The European Union (EU) today removed Brazil from the list of third countries authorised to export animals intended for human consumption and animal-derived products, due to non-compliance with rules on the use of antimicrobials.
The revised list adopted today now includes 21 new countries, with five others having been authorised to export additional goods to the EU.
According to the latest report, 98.2% of food samples collected in national controls across Europe were found to be in compliance with EU legislation.
The European Commission has a new artificial intelligence (AI) platform to accelerate the detection of food fraud, contaminated food outbreaks, and foodborne diseases in the European Union (EU). According to a statement released this Tuesday, TraceMap will use AI and will comply with the EU's high safety standards to...
