NVWA updates guide for food safety incident reporting

The explanation in the guidelines for reporting unsafe food products has been revised and now includes a decision aid. This update is intended to help entrepeneurs better assess when they are required to report a potentially unsafe food product.

The previous version caused confusion. Entrepreneurs were not always sure whether a report was mandatory. Based on this feedback, the NVWA has adjusted and clarified the text.

Strict reporting deadline remains in place

If an unsafe food product ends up outside the company, it must be reported within four hours. The same applies if raw materials are found to be unsafe upon arrival, or if there is strong suspicion of a safety issue.

Entrepreneurs must always be able to trace both the origin and destination of their products. This is essential for effective oversight by the NVWA.

If not all information is available at the time of reporting, an initial notification will suffice. The remaining details can be submitted later. The updated guidelines specify which information is required within the four-hour deadline.

The existing decision trees for cases involving pesticide or veterinary medicine residues remain unchanged.

Webinar on 13 November

On Thursday afternoon, 13 November 2025, the NVWA will host a webinar to explain the updated reporting guidelines. 

Practical details on how to register will be available soon on their website.