Food safety control with reference to the Codex Alimentarius

Milikić Dejan (Ministarstvo odbrane Republike Srbije, CESNA B, Beograd), dmilikic1@gmail.com

Food safety is one of the most significant challenges in modern society, as it directly affects public health, consumer confidence, and market stability. Each segment of the food chain, from raw material production through processing and distribution to consumption, requires systematic control and application of quality standards. This paper analyses the theoretical and practical aspects of food safety in Serbia and the international community, with special emphasis on regulations, inspection, and quality control mechanisms. The paper focuses on the concept and importance of food safety, the role of quality control, and the principles of the HACCP system (Hazard Analysis and Critical Control Points), as well as the function of inspection in ensuring the healthiness of products. A separate section is devoted to international regulations, including Codex Alimentarius guidelines, European regulations, and practical guidelines for standards implementation, emphasising the harmonisation of the legislation of the Republic of Serbia with the law of the European Union (EU). The author concludes that food safety is a multidisciplinary and strategically important area in which the application of standards, quality regulation, and proactive practice can significantly contribute to consumer protection, the development of the domestic food industry, and international competitiveness.

Keywords: EU, food safety, quality control, inspection, HACCP, Codex Alimentarius, Serbia