Photo: BMLFUW/Rita Newman
High quality of Austrian food
The production of high-quality, healthy food has always counted among the key concerns of Austria’s agriculture which, moreover, is playing an important part in rendering ecological services and services safeguarding the landscape.
One can enjoy the high quality of Austrian foods in good conscience because they are produced at high quality. To achieve this, production, storage, marketing and quality control of the food must be at a high level.How is the high quality of food promoted in the production process?
· By the expert knowledge of farmers in plant production and animal husbandry
· By the expansion of crop rotation
· By the declining use of fertiliser and pesticides
· By the increased use of organic substances and beneficial organisms
· By the promotion of a species-appropriate animal husbandry without hormone treatment or growth-
increasing substances
· By the internationally considerable extent of organic production
· The application of genetic engineering is not permitted in Austrian agriculture.
Food labelling
How can consumers check the quality of a food at one glance? This is the goal of food labelling. Agrarmarkt Austria (AMA) is responsible for improving the quality of agricultural products. For this purpose, the ‘AMA-Gütesiegel’ (AMA quality label), the ‘AMA-Biozeichen’ (AMA organic label) and the beef marking system ‘bos’ have been created.
The AMA quality label ensures independent controls and stands for conventionally produced foodstuffs which comply with above-average quality criteria and whose origin is traceable.
The AMA organic label helps consumers identify food from organic farming at first glance. In 2006 Austria had 20,162 organic farms, which managed about 362,000 hectares, or 15 percent, of the agriculturally utilised area (not including alpine pastures).
The BOS – a uniform beef-labelling system – makes it possible to trace the way of the product back to the farmer. “bos” has been developed by Agrarmarkt Austria Marketing GmbH in cooperation with the Economic Chamber. It provides for exact, complete records of the flow of commodities.
Food control
Quality and hygiene characterise the entire production chain – from farm to fork. A stringent Food Act ensures an efficient control. The official quality controls and food controls are to ensure the high quality of food.
In addition to the official food control, the Veterinary Control Service and the Federal Wine Control board, the Quality Inspection Service covers another area of food control in Austria.
Quality assurance is conducted according to the provisions of the Quality Classification Act, the relevant national implementing ordinances and the EU Quality and Marketing Standards. Whereas import and export controls fall within the competence of the Federal Government, controls in Austria are the responsibility of the District Administration Authorities.
Other than the official food control, which is primarily to check whether foods are free from defects – i.e. whether they comply with the minimum requirements of the Food Act –, the quality inspectors check whether the foods fulfil the requirements of the Quality Classification Act. Its provisions relate to quality standards concerning characteristics, size, packaging and labelling of agricultural products.
22.08.2008, Lebensministerium Öffentlichkeitsarbeit