ISSN 0080–6757 © 2008 The Author(s) Journal compilation © 2008 Nordic Political Science Association Scandinavian Political Studies, Vol. 31 – No. 2, 2008 125 Blackwell Publishing Ltd Oxford, UK SCPS Scandinavian Political Studies 0080-6757 1467-9477 © 2008 Nordic Political Science Association XXX Original Articles XX XX Regulation for Safe Food: A Comparison of Five European Countries Kari Tove Elvbakken, Per Lægreid and Lise Hellebø Rykkja* This article explores food safety regulation in five European countries by comparing their main legislation and organizational characteristics. The aim is to gain insight into the parti characteristics of food safety regulation, understand major differences and similaritie reach a firmer understanding of how regulation evolves. Food safety regulation concerns v questions, and is a field with a long history. Food scandals – in particular the 1996 BSE cris and European integration have prompted major changes. The BSE scandal revealed impor underlying conflicts of interest and dilemmas concerning the twin objectives of ensuring s food while also ensuring honest trade in food. This led to a questioning of existing structur paved the way for new regulation. The authors’ main finding is that food safety regulation similar origins, addresses similar tasks, and raises similar problems and conflicts in all five A tension between protecting public health and paying heed to business interests, and a s for control over this policy field between the administrations of health and agriculture, are features. However, the configuration of food safety regulation in legislative and organizati terms varies. The comparative focus reveals that national context and history are importa understanding change. This leads to the conclusion that the framing and reframing of the depend largely on how it is structured and regulated initially, as well as on the constellatio interests and values that are operative and legitimate in each context. Introduction Food scandals, European integration and advances in and discussio regulatory policy (Majone 1994, 1996; Moran 2002) have affected food s policy and regulation in European countries over the last few years BSE scandal in 1996 triggered debates about the principles and organiza of food control and about the application of adequate risk regulation and scientific expertise across Europe. 1 This had a major impact on the food policy issues and food safety regulation in the years following. The BSE s undermined public confidence in food regulation and in the aftermath of crisis, the organization of food safety and food regulation changed, both individual countries and in the European Union (EU) as a whole. This arti * Lise Helleboe Rykkja, Rokkansenteret, Nygårdsgaten 5, N-5015 Bergen, Norway. E- lise.rykkja@rokkan.uib.no.