The European Commission published its annual report on Member States’ cooperation and information exchange on official controls in the agri-food chain. The report reviews the Alert and Cooperation Network (ACN), which is the EU-wide framework through which the Commission and Member States work together to protect food safety by sharing alerts and notifications of non-compliance, as well as investigating issues swiftly.
This year’s report reveals an 11% increase in the overall number of notifications (10,490) in 2025 compared to the previous year. Notifications on food safety risks, via the Commission’s Rapid Alert System for Food and Feed, rose by 2% last year, reaching 5,344. This increase shows the vigilance of EU control authorities in detecting food and feed safety issues and the added value of coordination at the EU level. As in previous years, fruits and vegetables accounted for the largest number of non-compliance notifications (18%).
The report also covers two new networks on pet animals and animal welfare. The Animal Welfare Network, in its first full year of operation, has shown dynamism, particularly in addressing cross-border transport issues. The Pet Animals Network has a particular focus on protecting the welfare of dogs and cats. In the context of the new EU rules on dog and cat welfare, this network will be a key tool to combat illegal trade, document fraud and public health risks associated with these pets.
The ACN’s crucial role in the monitoring of the safety of the EU’s food chain is expected to grow even stronger in years to come following the successful launch of TraceMap in 2026. This tool will enhance traceability, by using AI to connect large volumes of data and enable earlier detection of risks where they emerge. Further information on the Commission’s food safety policies is available online.
