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Donald Trump\u2019s assertion that US food is safer than its European<\/a> counterpart is baseless, says the EU\u2019s top food safety official, who insists the bloc\u2019s standards are non-negotiable and cannot be used as a tactic in trade talks.<\/p>\n In a recent attempt to justify now-paused tariffs on agricultural products, the US President claimed that imported food, including from the European Union, is unsafe for American consumers and fails to meet US standards.<\/p>\n \u201cThey\u2019re uninspected. They may be very dirty and disgusting, and they come in and they pour in and they hurt our American farmers,\u201d Trump declared in March addressing Congress.<\/p>\n Bernhard Url, executive director of the European Food Safety Authority (EFSA), has strongly rebuffed these remarks in an interview with Euronews.<\/p>\n \u201cIf Mr President was referring to EU food, he\u2019s simply wrong. This cannot be food from the European Union, certainly not,\u201d Url said.<\/p>\n According to Url, the EU\u2019s high standards are ensured by thorough inspections, strict enforcement of food laws, and the scientific oversight provided by EFSA.<\/p>\n Based in Parma, EFSA sits at the heart of a system that monitors the food production chain, with more than five million official controls performed by member states every year.<\/p>\n Food safety, a non-negotiable in trade talks<\/strong><\/p>\n Following Trump\u2019s announcement of a 90-day tariff truce,<\/a> the European Commission now faces a new round of difficult negotiations<\/a> aimed at preventing a broader trade conflict.<\/p>\n Some in Washington hope Europe will agree to increased imports of US agricultural goods to ease tensions.<\/p>\n However, food safety is expected to be a major sticking point. The EU considers certain US practices, such as the use of growth hormones in beef, insufficient labelling of genetically modified organisms (GMOs), and the washing of poultry in chlorine, to be public health risks.<\/p>\n Url made it clear that no amount of pressure would persuade the EU to lower its food safety standards.<\/p>\n \u201cI\u2019m absolutely sure: food safety standards are not negotiable,\u201d he said. \u201cWe have our European standards, the highest in the world, and they will stay that way. There may be other trade issues to address, but food safety is off the table.\u201d<\/p>\n A system that works<\/strong><\/p>\n EU food policy takes a more precautionary approach, focusing on long-term safety. By contrast, US regulations are often more risk-tolerant and economically driven. For instance, animal welfare standards in US factory farming are generally lower, prioritising cost efficiency.<\/p>\n Europe\u2019s recent handling of avian influenza outbreaks demonstrates the strength of its food safety systems, Url argued.<\/p>\n While the US is currently facing a growing outbreak of bird flu spreading into dairy herds across 17 states – with around 70 human cases reported – Url noted that Europe, despite having denser animal populations and being more exposed to migratory birds carrying new virus strains, has managed to keep the situation under control.<\/p>\n \u201cEurope is a good example,\u201d he said. \u201cWe start from a more challenging position than the US, but we have\u00a0it [avian flu]\u00a0under control.\u201d<\/p>\n He also pointed to the swift response to a 2025 resurgence of foot-and-mouth disease, which was quickly contained in Germany and is now being managed by veterinary authorities in Hungary and Slovakia, with Austria also preparing precautionary measures.<\/p>\n EFSA, Url explained, provides scientific advice, while individual member states are responsible for managing outbreaks. \u201cThere\u2019s culling, protection zones, surveillance zones – all of it implemented quickly and effectively by member states,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n Fighting fake news on food<\/strong><\/p>\n Beyond Trump\u2019s comments, Url said EFSA routinely deals with misinformation about EU-approved foods, especially novel foods like edible insects or lab-grown meat.<\/p>\n Url hit back against media suggestions that the EU is forcing such products on consumers.\u00a0<\/p>\n \u201cWe only ensure that if a company wants market authorisation, the product must be safe,\u201d he said. \u201cNobody is forced to eat it. It\u2019s labelled, and consumers can decide for themselves.\u201d<\/p>\n However, combating food-related fake news is resource-intensive. It requires coordinated efforts between EFSA, national governments, and the European Commission.<\/p>\n \u201cWe try to counter misinformation by sharing facts and data,\u201d Url said. \u201cIt\u2019s not easy in the world of social media, but through joint efforts, we can give people evidence, not fiction.\u201d<\/p>\n![\"Close](\"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/04\/icon-cross-10x10-grey-6.svg.svg+xml\"){kind=icon}
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