Shigatoxin-producing Escherichia coli (VTEC) are considered as major pathogens causing severe and sometimes lethal  infections in humans. Although more than 200 serotypes have been reported, only seven of them have been consistently associated with severe cases. Transmission of VTEC to humans occurs mainly through consumption of undercooked minced beef contaminated by animal faeces.

The use of growth promoters in farm animals has been banned within the European Union since 1988. In order to guarantee to consumers that foodstuffs are free from residues of this type of substance, a European surveillance and control system supports this measure, which has been organised in France since 1988 within the framework of the surveillance and control programmes implemented by the

The French national meat inspection database (SI2A) was launched in all French cattle slaughterhouses on 1 January 2015. It has enabled the surveillance of annual bovine cysticercosis prevalence and incidence rates. In 2015, raw apparent prevalence was 0.123% [0.122-0.123] (95 CI) for both viable and degenerated cysts and 0.0096% [0.0095- 0.0098] for viable cysts. True prevalence was estimated 

cadmium, nickel and mercury in foodstuffs of animal origin is ensured by an operational plan aiming at risk identification and the quantification and characterisation of the hazards related to trace metals found in foods.

In France, foodstuffs are regularly monitored in order to track contamination levels in French and imported products. This monitoring makes it possible to study trends and ensures that the maximum limits defined in the regulations are not exceeded. This article deals with the surveillance system managed by the Directorate General for Food (DGAL) in 2014 concerning persistent organic pollutants (POPs)