U.S. food inspection in Hungary again

After two years, the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Food Safety and Inspection Service (FSIS) has again held inspections in Hungary. A representative of the FSIS audited the monitoring system of Hungary’s animal-based food producers between June 17 and July 3.

According to the preliminary findings of the audit, the Hungarian food safety system assures full compliance with U.S. requirements, a statement by the Hungarian Ministry of Agriculture says.

Hungary’s total pork exports are increasing year by year, with 138,000 tons exported in 2014 at a value of some 100 billion forints (EUR 315m). Retaining our presence on existing markets is a high priority for the sector.

In recent weeks, the FSIS representative has been examining whether the Hungarian food safety system operates at an equivalent standard to the American one with regard to pork and pork food products, and whether products destined for export to the U.S. are safe, trackable and suitably labelled.

The auditor visited several laboratories and institutions of the official food safety system (The Ministry of Agriculture, the National Food Chain Safety Office, the relative departments of county government offices), as well as various enterprises with export permits.

According to the preliminary findings of the audit, the Hungarian food safety system is capable of assuring full compliance with U.S. requirements. The auditor highlighted the importance of central supervision by the National Food Chain Safety Office (NFCSO). During his tour, the FSIS representative made only minor observations on issues with no impact on food safety, most of which were already dealt with by the enterprises in question – on the order of the authorities – during the inspections, and accordingly the NFCSO has retained its right to supervise export licences.

The audit will close officially with the publishing of a written report, but on the basis of the oral assessment the FSIS is expected to uphold the NFCSO’s right to supervise U.S. export licences, which could mean further export opportunities for Hungarian producers and distributors of fresh pork and pork products.