The Bundesverband der Lebensmittelkontrolleure (food and safety inspectors) is a non-government, registered organisation for environmental health professionals. The federal organisation was founded in June 1986 and at present there are about 2,000 members. When the organisation was established, membership amounted to roughly 600. After the fall of the Berlin Wall, membership was extended to the East Germans so now all 15 of the federal Länder are members. One of the Länder is not a member, namely Baden Wurtemberg since their food and safety inspectors are located under the authority of the police. We are however negotiating for these specialists to become members of our organisation.
The present Chairman is Hans Henning Viedt and the Deputy Chairman is Martin Müller.
In 1993 the organisation joined the KOMBA union as an entire association. Through joining, a possibility was given of taking part in consumer committees in different organisations Europe-wide. The union helps of course in matters such as wage negotiations and legal issues as well as in the case of problems experienced by individual members.

The organisation works in close co-operation with political bodies, such as government institutions that are highly interested in our opinion when foodstuffs are at issue. This affords us a possibility of influencing the training stipulations and examination rules for our education targets.

The responsibilities for food and safety inspectors are mainly concerned with foodstuffs, consumer goods, clothes, jewellery as well as alcoholic drinks like wine, beer, spirits and non-alcoholic beverages such as mineral water, lemonade and so on. The responsibilities also extend to cosmetics, tobacco, toys and the environment in connection with food. The implementation of HACCP and quality assurance systems, consumer protection and education are further tasks likewise indoor air pollution if in connection with food production. Food and safety inspectors are also involved in the inspection of drinking-water in connection with food production . The biggest issue is hygiene inspection and sampling. In recent years, consulting and advice for businesses on HACCP and quality assurance is playing a major role in the work of Lebensmittelkontrolleure. Ecological farming and products have likewise gained increasing importance. The members are also engaged in other matters - fair trade, labelling etc.

The food and safety inspector is responsible for licensing of food businesses, restaurants, bars. Inspectors are engaged in field work and also in administrative work up to a senior level.

Inspections are carried out on all levels - from farmers to factories. Hygiene inspections also take place.

At present, only people that are in the employ of the government or the civil service or are students can become members in the Verband der Lebensmittelkontrolleure.

This organisation has the following set-up: regional organisation, county organisation and federal organisation.

The history of the origins are, first of all the regional organisation were formed in October 1975, they then formed the county organisations which in turn in June 1986 established the federal organisation. The regional groups form a board which are members in the county organisation. The county organisation also has a board which elects delegates for the federal organisation.

A members' magazine is issued on a quarterly basis and training courses in food hygiene and continuing education are also offered for all interested parties. Books, videos and education material are compiled by the organisation and published.

The professional background of the members varies . They can be people with a high degree of practical experience, who through a degree course of at least two years at government-owned academies, have passed an exam as food and safety inspectors. In this course, the focus is on theory, e.g. legal aspects. Likewise, for persons with a theoretical background such as in administration, the practical side is emphasised.

At present , new members are recruited through being approached by existing members during their training at the academy and at administrative bodies, as well as at conferences and continuing training programmes. These courses are cheaper for members and through good quality are more attractive for them. For this reason, it is well worth their while to become members – they also obtain the organisation's publications and information and are invited to participate in functions, conferences and advanced educational courses.

A selected group of people in the organisation are responsible for different issues. For example, there are member groups that are responsible for changes in legislation – assessment and distribution of information on same. Others are on the editorial board of our magazine, and others still as liaison manager for foreign affairs. Some members are involved in organisation of conferences and exhibitions, others are concerned with European programmes and projects such as Leonardo.

Care is taken to make sure that new members are active in the organisation by engaging them in the above-mentioned matters and by delegating tasks to them. They are also encouraged to submit articles for the organisations's magazine. Naturally, they are invited to our conferences and meetings.

Initially there were some problems in starting the organisation. To begin with, the lack of funds, the founder members all contributed money of their own as the association would not have worked otherwise. The colleagues were not generally acquainted with one another as they came from different districts. The rules at the time made it problematic to gain members since they only permitted civil servants to join. This is still the case today, but as there are meanwhile other non-civil service bodies carrying out similar work, discussions are ongoing to open the organisation for persons other than civil servants.

Since conferences with exhibitions and hygiene courses have been organised, information material published and sold, as well as co-operation effected with industry in the hygiene sector in research and development, the financial situation has improved. In this way, the organisation can be managed differently and many international contacts have been able to be made. Possibilities of influencing politics are now on hand and the organisation is recognised by the German parliament and other relevant bodies.

The organisation is still waiting for the politicians to fulfill all the promises they have made over the years especially regarding further education, training, staff increases which would be all to the benefit of the consumer, because it would imply higher consumer protection.