An ad-hoc working group of the AFC Panel has been set up involving statisticians and experts in the field of child behaviour since these key areas were identified as crucial for the evaluation. Toxicologists and a specialist in allergy from EFSA’s AFC and NDA [3]Scientific Panels are also involved. Seven experts specialised in child behaviour and statistics, from five European countries, have now joined the ad-hoc working group.

The UK Food Standards Agency (FSA), that commissioned the study, has provided EFSA with the last set of additional data required for the evaluation. An overview of other relevant studies is currently being compiled by members of the working group as well as an evaluation of the statistical analysis employed in the study.

EFSA has been asked by the European Commission for its opinion by the end of February. However it is possible that the final opinion on the study may only be ready a few weeks after that date. The time required for completion of the assessment is essential to ensure that the experts, who have volunteered on short notice to assist EFSA, can properly scrutinise both the Southampton study and the wider scientific evidence base on the issue of additives and behaviour taking into account the most recent data received.

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