SAFE Food Advocacy Europe ASBL

SAFE – Safe Food Advocacy Europe is the only Brussels-based NGO exclusively representing EU consumers in the food sector. Our mission is to amplify citizens’ voices in EU food regulation debates, ensuring that health, environmental sustainability, and social inclusion are central to policymaking. By advocating for safer, fairer, and more sustainable food systems, SAFE strengthens participatory democracy and improves living conditions across Europe. 

SAFE’s work is built on three pillars, health, inclusion, and environment, guiding our projects, advocacy, and strategic direction. These principles underpin our 10 key priorities, as outlined in the SAFE Manifesto, to create a healthier, fairer, and more sustainable food system for all Europeans. 

Founded in 2015, SAFE has successfully influenced EU policy, including the 2021 ban on titanium dioxide (E171) and the recent prohibition of bisphenol A (BPA) in food packaging. Our Sugar Project was recognized as a best practice by the European Commission for advancing healthier food policies. As a European Climate Pact Ambassador, we promote sustainable consumption, reduce food waste, and advocate for safer food packaging and agricultural practices. 

SAFE unites 40 members from 18 countries (17 EU Member States + UK), including consumer, health, vegetarian, and vegan organisations. Our diverse network addresses food poverty, social exclusion, and health inequalities, ensuring vulnerable groups have access to affordable, healthy food.  

SAFE is the only consumer representative on the EFSA Management Board and actively participates in the EFSA Stakeholder Discussion Group on Emerging Risks, the Technical Group on the Database of Notification of Studies, and the Stakeholder Sounding Board for implementing the revised General Food Law. 

Furthermore, SAFE also actively participates in multiple EU Civil Dialogue Groups, reinforcing our role as a key consumer advocate in European food policy and is an active member of the following EU-wide networks: European Public Health Alliance, the Prevent Waste Coalition, the EU Platform on Food Losses and Food Waste and the Food Policy Coalition, reinforcing to EU-level advocacy in food, health, and sustainability.     

Key Activities 

• Advocacy: Representing consumers in EU institutions (EFSA, European Parliament, Commission) to shape food safety and social inclusion policies. 

• Information & Training: Organising conferences, seminars, and school programs (reaching 5,000+ pupils) on food literacy, labelling, and healthy diets. Recent campaigns include exposing misleading "natural" food marketing and reducing acrylamide risks in home cooking (reaching 2M+ views). 

• European Projects: SAFE is also involved in 13 EU-funded projects (LIFE, Horizon 2020/Europe, EU4Health) focused on sustainable food systems, food waste reduction, and disease prevention.

SAFE remains committed to transparency, consumer empowerment, and systemic change in Europe’s food landscape.