Objectives and mission

The European Sprouted Seeds Association (ESSA) brings together European producers of sprouted seeds. ESSA promotes the interests of the European sprouted seed growers, provides a forum to discuss issues affecting the European sprouted seeds sector and gives opportunities to discuss common issues such as food safety, EU regulatory affairs, quality, trade, etc. ESSA was created after the EHEC crisis in 2011 with the goal to facilitate exchange on food safety practices and the implementation of new EU rules for the sector.

ESSA is a membership-based, non-profit factual association based in the headquarters of the European fresh fruit and vegetable association, Freshfel Europe, in Brussels, Belgium. ESSA was set up in 2012 following the E. Coli crisis in Europe. Within the membership ESSA gathers producers of sprouted seeds and producers of seeds for sprouting.

ESSA members work together to support the sector and its functioning through sharing information on food safety and best production practices. ESSA connects actors from the sprouts seeds sector (sprouts, cresses and shoots) and coordinates a common voice towards European and international decision makers as well as other relevant stakeholders. 

ESSA’s mission is to put this vision into reality by focusing on the following aspects:

• Maintaining relations with the European Commission on key matters concerning the sprouted seeds sector: microbiological requirements, trade of seeds, traceability, approval of production establishments, etc.
• Internal sharing of information on all policy developments directly affecting the sprouted seeds sector.
• Internal and external communication as a preparedness action in case of a pan-European crisis.