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EFSA – Science,
safe food, sustainability
The European Food Safety Authority is the reference body for risk assessment of food and feed in the European Union.
Who we are
EFSA was established under EU law in 2002 following a series of food crises. We provide the scientific basis for laws and regulations to protect European consumers from food-related risks – from farm to fork.
Our purpose
Help ensure a high level of consumer protection
Improve the EU food safety system
Restore and maintain confidence in the EU food supply
Our vision
Protecting consumers, animals, plants and the environment through independent and transparent scientific advice on risks in the food chain from farm to fork
What we do (and don’t do)
The core of our activities is to collect, appraise and integrate scientific evidence to answer questions about risks.
1
Provide independent scientific advice and support for EU risk managers and policy makers on food and feed safety
2
Provide independent, timely risk communication
3
Promote scientific cooperation
We don't:
1
Develop food safety policies & legislation
2
Adopt regulations, authorise marketing of new products
3
Enforce food safety legislation
Our work covers the entire food chain from farm to fork
The knowledge, experience and decision-making of
EFSA's scientific experts
is at the heart of all we do.
Everything we do is guided by our values
- Excellence
- Independence
- Openness
- Accountability
- Cooperation
Openness and transparency have been key values for EFSA since it was established.
Who we work with
We work closely with
partners and stakeholders
across Europe and the world, sharing scientific expertise, data and knowledge. These include:
- EU Member States
- EU institutions and agencies
- Competent organisations
- Civil society stakeholders
- International partners
EU-wide and global collaboration
Located in the heart of Parma, EFSA is an integral part of the EU’s food safety system. Individual experts and competent organisations are our main knowledge partners.
To nurture these relations, we cooperate intensively with and build capacity in Member State risk assessment organisations via the Advisory Forum , the National Focal Points and our Scientific Networks . Likewise, we work with other EU agencies, and have developed close working contacts with our counterparts in the EU’s Pre-Accession Programme and in the EU neighbourhood .
The impact of international trade, human movements and climate change, to mention only a few, adds a global dimension to food safety issues. EFSA has regular exchanges with international organisations and food agencies in several countries around the world.
EU-wide and global collaboration
Located in the heart of Parma, EFSA is an integral part of the EU’s food safety system. Individual experts and competent organisations are our main knowledge partners.
To nurture these relations, we cooperate intensively with and build capacity in Member State risk assessment organisations via the Advisory Forum, the National Focal Points and our Scientific Networks. Likewise, we work with other EU agencies, and have developed close working contacts with our counterparts under the Pre-Accession Programme and in the EU neighbourhood.
The impact of international trade, human movements and climate change, to mention only a few, adds a global dimension to food safety issues. EFSA has regular exchanges with international organisations and food agencies in several countries around the world.
How we work
Most of EFSA’s work is undertaken in response to requests for scientific advice from the European Commission, the European Parliament, and EU Member States. We also carry out scientific work on our initiative, in particular to examine emerging issues and new hazards and to update our assessment methods and approaches.
Risk assessment process
1
Receipt of mandate/application
EFSA receives a request for scientific advice (from European Commission, European Parliament or Member States) or initiates its own activity.
A mandate is agreed, including terms of reference and deadline; for market applications, EFSA checks/validates their completeness and may request more scientific information from the applicant.
The mandate is assigned to one of EFSA’s scientific panels or its Scientific Committee and is made available on the OpenEFSA portal.
2
Assessment
The risk assessment is usually carried out by an expert working group, which reviews the scientific information available, and may draw on EFSA’s data collection networks or launch an open call for data.
The working group develops a draft and submits it to the relevant panel for discussion.
EFSA often holds public consultations on draft outputs to consider the comments in the revised document.
3
Adoption & publication
The assessment is adopted by a majority of panel members – with any minority opinion recorded.
The output – which is usually a scientific opinion, but may be a statement, guidance document or other type of output – is published in the EFSA Journal, our open-access, online scientific journal.
The publication may be accompanied by communication activities.
Risk assessment process
1
Receipt of mandate/application
EFSA receives request for scientific advice (from European Commission, European Parliament or Member States) or initiates its own activity.
A mandate is agreed, including terms of reference and deadline; for market applications, EFSA checks/validates their completeness and may request more scientific information from the applicant.
The mandate is assigned to one of EFSA’s scientific panels or its Scientific Committee and made available on the OpenEFSA portal.
2
Assessment
The risk assessment is usually carried out by an expert working group, which reviews the scientific information available, and may draw on EFSA’s data collection networks or launch an open call for data.
The working group develops a draft and submits it to the panel for discussion.
EFSA often holds public consultations on draft outputs to consider the comments in the revised document.
3
Adoption & publication
The assessment is adopted by a majority of panel members – with any minority opinion recorded – at a plenary meeting of the relevant panel.
The output – which is usually a scientific opinion, but may be a statement, guidance document or other type of output – is published in the EFSA Journal, our open-access, online scientific journal.
The publication may be accompanied by communication activities.
Risk communication
EFSA’s mandate to communicate in a clear and accessible way is enshrined in our founding regulation.
Coordinated communication at EU and Member State level is crucial in maintaining and strengthening public confidence in our food safety system.
Why risk communication is important
- Understanding consumer perceptions of food and feed safety risks
- Bridging the gap between science and consumers
- Promoting and disseminating consistent messages
Audience-first approach
EFSA has developed an audience-first approach – targeting specific communication materials to different audiences via appropriate
tools and platforms
to meet the information needs of its (expert, technical andnon-specialist) audiences.
Future challenges
EFSA operates in a world of rapid change and needs to ensure it can continue to deliver on its mission. We see two sets of challenges for the coming years.
Societal challenges
- Public expectations regarding transparency and engagement
- Evolving scientific knowledge, creating a need for innovative and collaborative approaches
- Impact of globalisation & climate change
- Availability of expertise for EFSA’s multidisciplinary needs
Risk assessment challenges
- Environmental and emerging risks
- Safety evaluation of novel products
- Development of new assessment methods
- Chemical mixtures / combined toxicity of substances in food
- Antimicrobial resistance
Together for a safe and sustainable future
Our efforts are based on the latest science and the recognition that human health is closely linked to the wellbeing of animals, plants and the environment. To address the food safety challenges of tomorrow based on the latest science, and support the shift towards sustainable food systems, we continue to build strong partnerships within the EU and beyond.
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