Food and food safety

The Dutch government would like consumers to be able to choose healthy foods more easily and more consciously. In addition, the government ensures that food is safe and that the food producers properly inform consumers about their products.  

The public must be able to trust that their food is safe. For this reason, all food products on the market in the Netherlands must adhere to food quality standards, governing for example which ingredients may be used and the presence of micro-organisms such as bacteria.

The government encourages supermarkets, catering companies, and food producers to make their assortment of products healthier. In order to carry the healthy choice label, products must meet a variety of requirements regarding the amount of sugar, fat, sodium, calories, and dietary fibre they contain.

News

Codex Committee on maximum levels of melamine in baby food

At a recent meeting of the Codex Committee on Contaminants in Foods (CCCF) in Maastricht agreements were made on acceptable levels ...

30-03-2012 | EL&I

Agricultural exports on the rise

Agricultural exports continued to rise in 2011 in spite of a downturn in 2010 as a result of the 2009 economic crisis. The total ...

20-01-2012 | EL&I

Documents and publications

Dutch agricultural export expands

Agricultural exports continued to rise in 2011 in spite of a downturn in 2010 as a result of the 2009 economic crisis. The total ...

Video | 20-01-2012 | EL&I

Facts and Figures 2010 - The Dutch agricluster in a global context

This brochure provides an insight into the developments in the sector. It lists the trade flows into and out of the Netherlands ...

Leaflet | 07-09-2010 | EL&I

Public Summary of Policy Document on Sustainable Food

Public Summary of the Policy Document on Sustainable Food. In this Document the Minister sets out her vision on how food ...

Leaflet | 26-09-2009 | EL&I