Press Releases on August 14, 2015

EFSA gives update on semicarbazide: no reason to change current dietary habits including for babies. Precautionary action by ...

On 28th July, EFSA announced that semicarbazide (SEM) may have been found in certain foods packed in glass jars and bottles closed with metal lids sealed with plastic gaskets. The foods concerned included fruit juices, jams and conserves, honey, baby food, …

EFSA renews call for top-level scientists from Europe and beyond

In line with its Founding Regulation 178/2002, EFSA established in May 2003 a Scientific Committee and eight Scientific Panels responsible for providing independent scientific advice on all matters related to food and feed safety. By end 2005, EFSA’s …

EFSA/FDA agreement to facilitate scientific co-operation - Brussels, 2 July 2007

Andrew C. von Eschenbach, Commissioner of the US FDA and Catherine Geslain-Lanéelle, EFSA's Executive Director, will meet to discuss about current and future co-operation between the two agencies and to sign an agreement which will facilitate the …

EFSA assesses arsenic in food

The Panel compared amounts of arsenic that people could consume through food and drink to levels which may cause certain health problems. As there was little or no difference between the two, the Panel could not rule out the possibility of a health risk …

EFSA animal health and welfare recommendations on the import of wild birds

Although the probability can vary according to the captive wild bird species and the likelihood of infection in captivity, there is a high probability of some species carrying infectious animal diseases and transmitting them to other birds in the EU. In …

EFSA provides guidance to applicants on health claims: Final Guidance Document published

EFSA has given the opportunity to Member States and stakeholders to comment on the draft guidance document on disease risk reduction claims and claims for children. A technical meeting with experts of the Stakeholder Consultative Platform[2] was held on 11 …

EFSA assesses possible risks related to melamine in composite foods from China

EFSA’s scientists today issued a statement saying that if adults in Europe were to consume chocolates and biscuits containing contaminated milk powder, they would not exceed the TDI (Tolerable Daily Intake) of 0.5 mg/kg body weight, even in worst case …

EFSA Deputy Executive Director appointed

This is one of the most important roles in food safety science,’ said EFSA Executive Director, Geoffrey Podger. ‘Dr Koëter will lead our core scientific risk assessment work, the output of which will form much of the scientific basis of future EU food …

EFSA publishes results of the first survey on MRSA in pigs in the EU

The survey was carried out in 24 Member States[1], 17 of which found some type of MRSA in their holdings with breeding pigs and 7 none at all. On average, different types of MRSA were found in 1 out of 4 holdings with breeding pigs across the EU, but the …

An Exploration of Wind Resource Assessment

Spain: IMF Executive Board Concludes 2015 Article IV Consultation

Press Release No. 15/378 August 14, 2015 On July 27, 2015, the Executive Board of the International Monetary Fund (IMF) concluded the Article IV consultation1 with Spain. Spain’s recovery has gathered speed, but unemployment is still very high. Growth has …

EFSA urges the Ramazzini Institute to release data on aspartame

Following initial discussions with the Ramazzini Institute (prior to the publication of this study) in June 2005, EFSA published a statement indicating that the Scientific Panel on Food Additives, Flavourings, Processing Aids and Materials in Contact with …

EFSA and FDA Strengthen Cooperation in Food Safety Science

“I am delighted to be signing this agreement today with the FDA. Food safety knows no national boundaries and the food chain is today truly a global one,” said Catherine Geslain-Lanéelle, EFSA’s Executive Director. “We need to work with the best scientific …

EFSA publishes guidance for assessing the safety of botanicals

The opinion from EFSA’s Scientific Committee specifies what data are needed to carry out such safety assessments. It also suggests a two-tiered scientific approach depending on the existing level of knowledge on a given botanical and the substance(s) it …

Safety of ice structuring proteins

A technique has been developed to add ISPs to ice cream in order to control the formation of ice crystals during manufacture permitting a creamy consistency with lower fat content. The technique involves production of the isolated proteins using a …

EFSA welcomes decision on permanent location

"This is very good news. We have been waiting for a decision for some time, so now we can make real progress on setting up the Authority in its permanent location," said EFSA Management Board chairman, Stuart Slorach. "Since the Management …

EFSA and NGOs meet in Parma to discuss GMOs

EFSA Executive Director Catherine Geslain-Lanéelle welcomed all participants to the meeting. Five members of EFSA’s GMO Panel, including its chair Harry Kuiper, held a day of discussions with Helen Holder and Werner Mueller of Global 2000/Friends of the …

Opinion on the science behind the Guidance Document on risk assessment for birds and mammals

The PPR Panel evaluated the impact of pesticides with a large range of scenarios including different crops and different types of pesticide uses (e.g. granules, seed treatment, sprays). A tiered approach was used to assess the risk of mortality and …

Another major hurdle cleared in setting up a food safety authority for Europe

‘The Management Board is vital element of the new Authority,’ said Health and Consumer Protection Commissioner David Byrne. ‘I would like to bid a warm welcome to the Board and wish Mr Slorach all the very best for a successful term in office. The next …

Democracy, Human Rights, and Labor: On-the-Record Briefing on the 19th U.S.-China Human Rights Dialogue

MS TRUDEAU: Great, thank you. It’s a great pleasure to welcome everyone today for a briefing by Assistant Secretary Malinowski who’s served as Assistant Secretary of State for Democracy, Human Rights, and Labor since April 2014, after 13 years as the …