Consumer sits in the front row for a dime

Dutch consumers sit in the front row for a dime. Good, affordable and safe food can be found on almost every street corner. Yes, also safe. Although you would almost think that consumers are being poisoned en masse by butter, cheese or, in this case, eggs.  

In addition to free-range and free-range eggs, the Netherlands has recently also introduced Fiproni eggs. The whole of the Netherlands has been falling over each other since last week. Rightly so, because when food safety is at stake, eggs are suddenly a topic of conversation. The newspaper Trouw explores the matter in depth, De Telegraaf investigates it, Nieuwsuur discusses the incident and the discussion also erupted on social media. Even on American websites, the 'Dutch egg crisis'  among the most read articles.

Logical in itself, because which products do not contain eggs? Shampoo, for example, is also made from it. Eggs concern everyone, so the social impact is huge. Still, the fipronil affair is somewhat exaggerated. It actually explains how safe Dutch food is. The Dutch Food and Consumer Product Safety Authority (NVWA), the sector's watchdog, closely monitors the safety of our food and often acts on the basis of precautionary principles. Recalls are not being violated, it turns out.

Precautionary principle
That is why the NVWA warned last week against eggs with too high a dose of fipronil, and subsequently started a major investigation. From the principle: the certain for the uncertain. RTL Nieuws reported that fipronil can cause nausea, vomiting, dizziness and seizures in humans. In large quantities indeed, not at the levels found in eggs, toxicologists say. Read the leaflet on the package of a paracetamol and it probably says the same thing. By the way, I don't want to nuance the incident too much with this. However, the commotion that has arisen deserves a comment.

 ''The Dutch farmer would be looking for economic gain with all kinds of prohibited substances'', I heard someone say in a talk show. Transparency would be lacking and the farmer is too far from society. I think the gap between farmer and citizen is not that bad. In the US, for example, it is much larger than in the Netherlands. The Dutch landscape is a great mix of towns, villages, meadows and arable land that alternate at a rapid pace. If you drive from north to south, or from east to west, you will pass numerous farms that are clearly visible from the (highway) road. The Netherlands is unique in this regard.

Dutch agriculture unique
The process in agriculture is not hermetically sealed. Far from that. Take an average dairy farm; they are often out in the open. Cows in the meadow, farmer on the tractor. Everyone can enjoy when the first cut of the land comes. You just have to want to see it. Poultry is also often outside.

The 'problem' is that modern consumers are huddled together in Amsterdam and are blinded by screens. A round of cycling through Twente, or across the Veluwe, is no longer an option. That's fine in itself, to each his own, but it doesn't make agriculture any less transparent. The majority of critical consumers are still barely interested in agriculture and as a result they become alienated.

Critical consumer
The Dutch farmer produces something for everyone, especially for those critical consumers. From organic eggs to conventional vegetables. Although that does not make the food choice any easier. Organic is often confused with efficiency, while conventional is sometimes more efficient with land use or emissions. That's why food discussions often go skewed. Simple knowledge is lacking. Barring exceptions, of course.

The Dutch consumer is in the front row for good and safe food for a dime. But should you still be concerned? The NVWA always keeps an eye on things. Or cycle along to a random farmer, our country lends itself perfectly for that. Especially during the holiday time. 

Wouter Job

Wouter Baan is editor-in-chief of Boerenbusiness and Food Business. He also closely follows the raw materials markets and focuses on animal proteins such as dairy and meat. He regularly interviews leaders from the agricultural sector and the food world.

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