During the 1990s, the EU was faced with a number of food-related crises, such as BSE, Salmonella and dioxins that had undermined consumer confidence in the food production and distribution system and demonstrated shortfalls in the system that was then in place.
1990-ndatel aastatel puhkes Euroopa Liidus mitu toidukriisi, näiteks seoses veiste spongioosse entsefalopaatia, salmonella ja dioksiinidega, mis vähendasid tarbijate usaldust toiduainete tootmise ja turustamise süsteemi vastu ja osutasid kehtiva süsteemi puudustele.