The European response to bovine spongiform encephalopathy (BSE) after the crisis of the 1980s has significantly reduced prevalence of the disease in cattle. However, isolated cases are still being reported in the EU and for this reason the European …
EFSA has established a safe intake level for glutamic acid and glutamates used as food additives after re-evaluating their safety. The Authority also concluded that estimated dietary exposure to glutamic acid and glutamates may exceed not only the safe …
EFSA is giving stakeholders and other interested parties the opportunity to comment on the draft update of its guidance for health claims related to antioxidants, oxidative damage and cardiovascular health. The original guidance was published in 2011. …
Consumption of raw or undercooked pork meat and liver is the most common cause of hepatitis E infection in the EU, said EFSA. More than 21,000 cases of hepatitis E infections have been reported in humans over the last 10 years, with an overall 10-fold …
EFSA’s recently launched its OpenFoodTox database of chemical hazards in food and feed. The database is a rich source of toxicological information for risk assessment that can potentially support the reduction of animal testing. Scientists at the Mario …
Following the success of last week’s European Bee Week and, in particular, the exciting news that a broad coalition of stakeholders is coming together to set up a new EU bee partnership, EFSA is launching a photo competition to raise awareness of the …
EFSA has published new guidance on dermal absorption of plant protection products (PPPs). The guidance proposes default values to be used in the absence of experimental data for the risk assessment of active substances used in PPPs. The document, which …
EFSA would like your feedback on the draft approach for its next re-evaluation of the toxicity of bisphenol A (BPA), a chemical widely used in food contact materials. The draft is laid down in a “scientific protocol” that defines upfront the scope, …
The European Commission has launched today its new EU action plan to tackle antimicrobial resistance (AMR) – a growing threat that is responsible for 25,000 deaths in the EU every year. The action plan is built around three pillars: Make Europe a best …
Beekeepers, scientists, policy-makers and other relevant parties are to set up a European bee partnership that could transform the way bee health is assessed in the EU. The pledge was the main outcome of a major scientific meeting held in Brussels …
EFSA has published supplementary guidance on allergenicity to further strengthen risk assessment of genetically modified (GM) plants. The document considers new scientific and regulatory developments, complementing recommendations in existing guidance and …
EFSA has a robust, well-balanced independence policy, its Management Board said today after approving a number of new measures to further strengthen the Authority’s impartiality and protection against improper influence. Jaana Husu-Kallio, Chair of the …
EFSA recently held the first meeting of its new Stakeholder Forum, which marked the start of a new way of enabling stakeholders to provide strategic input into EFSA’s work plans and future priorities. What did those attending make of the meeting? What …
Existing safe levels for nitrites and nitrates intentionally added to meat and other foods are sufficiently protective for consumers, EFSA has concluded after re-evaluating their safety. Consumer exposure to nitrites and nitrates as food additives is …
EFSA has launched a public consultation on its draft guidance document on the characterisation of microorganisms used as feed additives or as production organisms. The draft guidance combines all the requirements for the safety assessment of feed additives …
EFSA has opened a public consultation on its scientific opinion looking at the use of epidemiological studies in risk assessment of pesticides. The opinion examines the methodological limitations that affect the quality of such studies and makes …
The European Food Safety Authority (EFSA) has published today the names, Declarations of Interest and CVs of members of its renewed Scientific Panels on Food Additives and Nutrient Sources Added to Food (ANS) and on Food Contact Materials, Enzymes, …
EFSA has launched a new support initiative for applicants from small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs). In the next six month, SMEs in the areas of feed additives and novel foods (excluding traditional food) can request an administrative check of their …
The first meeting of EFSA’s Stakeholder Forum on 30-31 May, heralds the start of a new way of giving registered stakeholders the opportunity to provide strategic input into EFSA’s work plans and future priorities. The meeting was attended by over 50 …
EFSA has created a new tool for applicants to give immediate feedback on the final scientific output dealing with their application and on EFSA’s support services. The new tool is a result of applicants asking for better ways to give direct and immediate …
