New outbreaks of avian influenza have been reported among wild birds and poultry across Europe since the end of October 2016. The highly pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI) H5N8 virus has been identified in Hungary, Poland, Croatia, Germany, Austria, …
This week is World Antibiotic Awareness Week, which aims to increase awareness of antibiotic resistance and to encourage best practice among the general public, health workers and policy makers to prevent the spread of antibiotic resistance. On 18 November …
Scientific models used by EFSA over the last 15 years have been brought together in a new EFSA community: the Knowledge Junction. The models can be shared and cited and you can submit your own. A selection of these tools are also available as web …
EFSA has launched the European Food Risk Assessment Fellowship Programme (EU-FORA), a key initiative for building the EU’s scientific assessment capacity and knowledge community. The programme provides scientists from EU national risk assessment institutes …
EFSA has published two guidance documents on novel food and traditional food from third countries to help ensure that these foods are safe before risk managers decide whether they can be marketed in Europe. EFSA developed the guidance following the …
Erucic acid – a naturally occurring contaminant present in vegetable oil – is not a safety concern for most consumers as average exposure is less than half the safe level. But it may be a long-term health risk for children up to 10 years of age who consume …
EFSA launched its new website almost one year ago, and more recently moved the EFSA Journal to the Wiley Online Library. What works, what doesn’t work? What services could be improved, what services are missing? Your answers to a few simple questions will …
EFSA has set dietary reference values (DRVs) for the intake of vitamin D. EFSA provides this advice to risk managers in European countries who use it for making recommendations to consumers. The Panel on Dietetic Products, Nutrition and Allergies (NDA) …
Seven countries have reported human cases of Salmonella Enteritidis between 1 May and 12 October 2016 (112 confirmed and 148 probable). Cases have been reported by Belgium, Denmark, Luxembourg, the Netherlands, Norway, Sweden and the UK. In addition, …
EFSA, the European Medicines Agency and the European Centre for Disease Prevention and Control are to propose a list of indicators that will enable risk managers to monitor the reduction of antimicrobial resistance and the use of antimicrobials in humans, …
Ninety-seven per cent of food samples collected in the European Union are free of pesticide residues or contain traces that are within legal limits. The conclusion is part of EFSA’s latest annual report on pesticide residues in food, which analyses the …
EFSA has set dietary reference values for potassium as part of its review of scientific advice on nutrient intakes. Potassium is an essential mineral in the human diet and plays an important role in many physiological processes in the human body including …
People, animals and the environment can be exposed to multiple chemicals from a variety of sources. EFSA is launching a ground-breaking initiative to propose methods for carrying out risk assessment for this complex issue. We are calling on stakeholders …
Fifty-nine participants from 15 countries attended a workshop on “Developmental Neurotoxicity (DNT): the use of non-animal test methods for regulatory purposes” in Brussels. The event, co-organised by the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and …
EFSA has published a scientific report on the outcomes of a scientific workshop on foodborne viruses organised jointly by EFSA and the UK Food Standards Authority. The workshop took place earlier this year in London, and brought together academics, …
EFSA and the Chilean Ministry of Agriculture through the Chilean Food Quality and Safety Agency (ACHIPIA) have agreed to enhance their scientific cooperation and dialogue related to risk assessment. Carlos Furche, Minister of Agriculture, and Bernhard Url, …
Registration is open for observers to attend the 30 November plenary meeting of EFSA’s Scientific Panel on Food Contact Materials, Enzymes, Flavourings and Processing Aids in Brussels. Items on the agenda include flavouring group evaluations. The deadline …
EFSA’s plant health experts have reviewed new evidence regarding the categorisation of Vitis (grapevine), Citrus, Quercus ilex (holm oak) and Phoenix roebelenii (ornamental dwarf palm) as host plants of Xylella fastidiosa. The X. fastidiosa bacterium has …
EFSA will formalise its relationship with the China National Centre for Food Safety Risk Assessment (CFSA) during the visit of EFSA’s Executive Director to China in November 2016. EFSA will also participate in the “China International Food Safety & …
New data confirm EFSA’s previous conclusion that bisphenol A (BPA) might affect the immune system in animals, but the evidence is too limited to draw any conclusions for human health. Following a request from the Dutch Ministry of Health, Welfare and Sport …
