Science protecting consumers

from field to fork

Committed to ensuring that Europe’s food is safe

2 Science protecting consumers from field to fork

EFSA
– a science-based
organisation that
protects and informs
consumers
■ The European Food Safety Authority (EFSA) applied science that involves reviewing scientific
provides impartial, high-calibre scientific advice data and studies in order to evaluate risks
to help inform decisions of policy makers about associated with certain hazards. The Authority
food-related risks. This is a crucial part of an also has an important role in communicating its
institutional framework in the European Union advice to its principal partners, stakeholders and
(EU) that ensures the safety of consumers, as well the public at large in a timely, clear and
as animals and the environment from any risks meaningful way, helping to bridge the gap
associated with the food chain. EFSA’s key activity between science and the consumer.
is scientific risk assessment, a specialised field of
 Science protecting consumers from field to fork 3

Other
Member States European Agencies
Risk
DECISION SCIENTIFIC Assessment
European Commission
MAKERS ADVICE
Risk
Communication
European Parliament

Europe working
together for safer food
■ In 2002 after a series of food-related alerts that A crucial aspect in the success of this system lies
impacted on human health and shook public in the active engagement and co-operation
confidence, the EU adopted the General Food with stakeholders and partners at European and
Law (Regulation EC 178/2002), providing a national levels. Through its Advisory Forum EFSA
comprehensive framework for the EU’s science- works in close co-operation with the national
based food regulatory system. Key elements were food safety authorities on scientific, data
the functional separation of risk assessment and collection and monitoring, and communications
risk management and the establishment of EFSA activities. The Authority also holds regular
with its emphasis on scientific excellence, meetings with organisations representing
independence, openness, transparency and consumers, industry, environmental NGOs and
responsiveness – still EFSA’s key values today. other stakeholders to encourage their
While EFSA took on the role of risk assessor, EU involvement and understanding of its work.
risk managers (European Commission, European
Parliament and EU Member States) retained
control over regulatory decision-making, policy
and prevention and control measures.
4 Science protecting consumers from field to fork

h ain – from field

o dc t
o
fo
E u r o p e ’s f
food chain is continually

or
e
Th

evolving and EFSA’s remit has evolved

k
to cover an increasingly complex number of
areas related to the safety of the food chain: food-
borne diseases, contaminants, animal health and
welfare, plant protection, food production and
distribution, food sector innovation to name a few.
Today, the advice that EFSA provides to risk managers
underpins many of the laws and regulations in
place to protect European consumers from
food-related risks – from field to farm
and factory to fork.

Field and farm

Plant protection during breeding, rearing, transportation and
slaughter can have important consequences
■ Agricultural crops provide the bulk of our for human health. EFSA assesses the impact
food and feed supply. EFSA helps to protect that the conditions and treatment of animals
consumers by providing the scientific advice can have both on animal and human health,
that underpins the regulation of the safe including industry operators.
use of pesticides and other plant protection
products. The Authority has helped the EU About 75 % of the new diseases that have
to evaluate hundreds of active substances affected humans since 2000 have originated
used in pesticides and to establish common from animals or products of animal origin.
science-based limits for permitted residue So-called “zoonotic” diseases are diseases that
levels in Europe. EFSA’s scientists also evaluate can be transmitted to humans by animals,
the risks posed by pests and weeds to plant including through food. EFSA’s scientific
health including farm crops and, in turn, on the advice, data collection and monitoring have
environment. contributed to an EU-wide campaign to
control and reduce the presence of bacteria
Animals like Salmonella and Campylobacter that, when
present in animals, can infect food. As a result,
■ The health and welfare of food-producing over five years human cases of salmonellosis
animals (such as cattle, chicken and pigs) were reduced by one-half to 100,000,
 Science protecting consumers from field to fork 5

substantially increasing consumer protection

from such food-borne diseases.
of plant and animal habitats. For example,
EFSA also assesses the safety of animal feed, the Authority performs environmental risk
which is important for the health of animals, assessments of genetically-modified crops as
the environment and for the safety of foods well as pesticides and feed additives used by
of animal origin. Since EFSA’s establishment farmers. EFSA also assesses possible risks to
in 2002, the Authority’s risk assessment human and animal health from environmental
and monitoring work has been a continual, contaminants. Air, soil, water and plants can
strong thread supporting the ongoing risk be contaminated by environmental pollutants
management efforts that have seen the and substances, for example metals in soil or
number of cases of BSE in cattle reported toxins produced by certain types of funghi.
across the EU drop from several thousands in This can often be the result of human activities
the early 2000s to 44 in 2010. such as industrial emissions or car exhausts.
People can be exposed to them from the
Environment environment or by ingesting contaminated
food or water. Their accumulation in the body
■ Increasingly, EFSA is required to consider the can lead to harmful effects over time.
food chain’s possible impact on the biodiversity
6 Science protecting consumers from field to fork

Factory to fork
Transportation and storage Food preparation and production

■ Raw materials used in food production or ■ In Europe, the food sector is regulated to
animals and animal carcasses in transit protect consumers from potential risks related to
or in storage may be exposed to potential risks food and feed while also leaving room for
from biological infection and chemical companies to innovate. The Authority evaluates
contamination. For example, there may be the safety of regulated food ingredients such as
chemical residues from previous cargoes found in additives, flavourings, enzymes and nutritional
freight containers used to transport edible oils substances with a view to supporting risk
and fats. EFSA assesses the risks of such managers in authorising their use in foods. For
contamination from contact with, for instance, example, EFSA has evaluated thousands of
machinery, vehicles and packaging materials, and flavourings used in foods and by 2020 is
provides scientific advice to risk managers on scheduled to complete the re-evaluation of all
possible measures to limit these risks.
 Science protecting consumers from field to fork 7

food additives authorised in the EU prior to 2009. food production processes (for instance recycling
EFSA’s scientific advice informs the decisions of of plastics used in food packaging) and
risk managers regarding the safety and permitted processing aids used by the food industry.
uses of these ingredients; in some cases, some
flavourings and additives have been removed
from the EU market as a consequence of EFSA’s
work. The Authority also assesses the safety of
8 Science protecting consumers from field to fork

Food sector innovation

■ Consumers demand much more from
their food in terms of choice, quality, price, consider the potential impact of genetically
nutritional value and availability than only a modified (GM) crops or animals that evaluates
generation ago. The food sector has responded their effects against traditional non-GM
to these product and information needs equivalents. The Authority has also provided
by innovating, through new ingredients, scientific advice on cloning and novel foods
technologies, food products and related and now considers nanotechnology in its risk
communications. As Europe’s food safety assessments of several food sector products,
watchdog, together with its partners at including additives and food packaging.
European and national level, EFSA is directly
involved in assessing the science behind such Claims made about the nutrition or health
innovations with respect to their safety and in benefits of foods can provide information
some instances, their efficacy. which can help consumers in choosing a
healthy diet. EFSA evaluates the scientific basis
In the biotechnology area, for example, EU of such claims to help ensure that they are
legislation required that EFSA develop a not misleading. By the end of 2012, EFSA had
comparative risk assessment approach to evaluated more than 3,000 health claims.
 Science protecting consumers from field to fork 9

in Member States to establish nutritional

Food consumption recommendations and provide practical
■ Underpinning all of EFSA’s work are the huge food-based dietary advice.
strides made in the area of data collection on
In recent decades there has been a
food consumption trends and habits. EFSA
proliferation of materials and products used
has consistently increased its support to data
in food packaging, containers, receptacles and
collection and other scientific cooperation
utensils. The Authority assesses potential risks
with Member States, allocating in 2012 over
related to the use of plastics, paper, active and
€9 million to these activities. This progress
intelligent substances, inks and resins used
helps us to understand better what we eat,
in food contact materials, including recycled
informing EFSA’s work both in the area of food
materials, before they are authorised for use
safety and that related to advice on nutrition,
in the EU.
diet and health.

EFSA’s scientific work also supports decisions

about nutritional guidance; its reference values
for nutrient and energy intakes take account of
the latest studies and help public authorities
10 Science protecting consumers from field to fork

881
):2
(10
;10
012
r n al 2
Jou
SA
EF

of
rce
sou
N a s a ff1
IO ate stu 2, 3
IN ydr ood S)
OP AN
F IC e t ri-h s to f o o d(
I at se
T
act rpo to F
IEN I) l pu ed
SC (II nal add the
ces taly on r
m i um tritio S our ma, I ion d fo
pin dde be
hro or nu nt r
c r i e ) , Pa ti f ic o III) a may ety
o n df N ut F SA c
t
ien ium( tha e saf it
on adde E s
nd ( a rom un s th ith ts
ini ive
sa tho
rity es
vid f c
h mo ard s w ro
Op ium
a
dit Au pro rce o the s reg ncur m f
fic m Ad ety ood sou ms of ed a el co romiuolubl
nti chro od Saf to F s a r vid an ch ly s c
S cie Fo
on
ood F ed te a in te pro e P of
add dra elf, en . Th ility
e en
fre flu
nel ean ces tri-hy m its ve be drate ailab to be ay in cause
Pa rop our ha i-hy ioav med at m t be
Eu iu
SA nt S lactate hrom data tr e b clai x th tha ited s
EF trie c te
d Nu m(III) ty of o new lacta ting thate is omple erates its lim low.
n iu safe N III) por ydr k c e-it nd
sa is m
ive hrom he Panel. ium( d sup tri-h wea anel r ons a ydrate romiu

How EFSA works

ddit of c s. T om e te as a e P oluti tri-h f ch both
CT d A ity stuff f this chr rovid lacta Th s o r
ST
RA n Foo ilabil food mit o from as p (III) existstract. ueous lactate take te, fo e o
B l o v a to re m e w m te l q I ) in r a a lu
A a a a
ane d bio poses e the omiu idenc romiu hydr testin te in m(II bined i-hyd the excee
a v
eP r iu
Th ety an al pur outsid of ch no ev te. Ch te tri- stroin hydra hrom e com tate tr below ot be ith
a
saf ition d, is ility that hydra ) lact e ga te tri- rom c ted th I) lac h is ould n mix w g
nutr sume vailab tating te tri- m(III I) in th) lacta (III) f lcula m(II , whic at sh a pre 7-37 m b
con bioa ws s lacta romiu m(II m(III ium nel ca romiu )/day ium th m of ately g/kg
ie h r
and lier v (III) r, ch romiu omiu chrom e Pa ith c m(III hrom e fo oxim .20 μ h no
m r
ear omiu weve of ch of ch ity of ate, th ied w romiu e of c in th f appr .60-3 e wit
o s
chr ter, h bility istry ilabil estim fortif μg ch intak ydrate ults o ay (0 lacto
wa availa chem ioava sure oods 240 ental tri-h or ad tate/d g of
f
bio plex , the b expo om f ately pplem lactate ean g lac to 12
com H >5 vative nd fr roxim for su (III) the m 92 μ up
t
at p onser ents a e app HO mium ure a 36-1 lerate
a c plem to b the W f chro expos nd to will to
sup dren, ed by use o in an ay) a tion . 975
1
chil blish t the esult bw/d ldiges ncern er 1
■ EFSA is governed by an independent carry out risk assessments and provide expert esta d tha ould r se/kg e ma ety co
012 try
Nu
mb
note ds, w lacto lactos of saf y, 2 R e gis
foo 2 μg with e not orit
Management Board whose members are guidance in specific areas: 0.6 jects els ar ty A
uth
ydr
ate
,C
AS
-00
011 nd, P
043

sub se lev afe i-h -Q-2semu ort

dS te tr SA
appointed to act in the public interest and do the ean
uro
Foo
p lacta
(III
) N o EF it Du cja M ,
ir g li en
tion i, B c, erend
A s
ues bell blan
not represent any government, organisation • Additives and products©E
or substances
ive
, ch
rom
ium
EY
WO
RD
S

mm
n, Q Cre s Le ens-B
issio cardo harle Waalk
-C
the
of . La
W

K ddit Co ar, Ric Jean D.H. bers , J-C ry

used in animal feed
n
da pe a uil ré , In e e m
e m Lamb para
ré to
Foo uro o Ag Lamb ack,
or sector. The 15-member Board sets EFSA’s E
the and de
om Fern lau l T .eu
obb nk
th
C.
tha emi, r the
p re
nt
st fr rs: nig, C , Pau uropa hes to ert-R ght fo

budget and approves the annual work • Animal health and welfare 1 O
que be ö ic
ne , Jürg an Sta ans@ e Pa ler, , and
.e
n re l mem en K nkov efsa nel w U. Gu M. W
is nd ri
nd
s a ium a
ive hrom Avail
trie
Nu add

2 Pa y e : h rt k d it
T e ac d c
• Biological hazards, including BSE-TSE-
m Iv c
Re ssin, nden ent: R. Gu Tobb 1.
d A of 88
Foo urce 12.2
programme. EFSA’s Executive Director is the c s: , C.
m
Ma rrespo ledge ltier, s, P.
Co know P. Ga Tlusto el
on a so fsa.20
s
Pan te a 03/j.e

legal representative of the Authority. related risks y, 2

012
3 A

Sta
rce
Sou nkovic :
tion te
E
cita lacta 0 pp
A
FS hydra 10.2
tr i-
.] d
oi:
9

orit ted
• Contaminants in the food chain . [2
uth )
ges m(III 881
ty A
S/he is responsible for all operational matters, Foo
dS
af e Sug miu 0):2
chro 2;10(1
201

staffing issues and drawing up the annual work • Dietetic products, nutrition and© European
programme in consultation with the European allergies
Commission, European Parliament and EU • Food additives and nutrient sources
Member States. added to food
• Food contact materials, enzymes,
EFSA’s scientific work is led by its Scientific flavourings and processing aids
Committee and its 10 Scientific Panels • Genetically modified organisms
composed of leading scientists in their fields. • Plant health
Additional experts participate in working • Plant protection products and their
groups when more specialised knowledge is residues
required. The Scientific Committee provides
advice on cross-cutting issues while the Panels
 Science protecting consumers from field to fork 11

MANAGEMENT BOARD
Member State
Governance Cooperation
(Advisory Forum, networks)
EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR

Science

- AHAW Panel
RISK ASSESSMENT &
- ANS Panel
SCIENTIFIC ASSISTANCE
- BIOHAZ Panel
COMMUNICATIONS - CEF Panel
- CONTAM Panel
SCIENTIFIC EVALUATION
- FEEDAP Panel
ts of REGULATED PRODUCTS
om - GMO Panel
le in e
th RESOURCES
ce the
f - NDA Panel
e o ility
b & SUPPORT
s sed on
o lu
a m
. B I) fro d - PLH Panel
II n
m( ults a ay
SCIENCE STRATEGY
d /d
h a 0 µg anel - PPR Panel
f 25 he P to
o . T ded
d 2-
& COORDINATION
d
ede se, a (0.1 at
to y - Scientific Committee
lac se/da en th s,
cto Giv tom
g la ay). symp
/d r
bw mino
r
oo

rt-
5-2 . nde
012 Gu arent-
1-9 er 2 ula P ght.
mb Urs ue ri
epte ott, miniq ew W

ted
13
S G Do
on David sso, , Matt
se rsen
hThe scientific advice of EFSA’s experts is the
trie
Nu , I.
nt developments, including new risk assessment
dop ltier, Mo and ssin
3, a e Ga uale Woute es t-Ma
rr
Pie n, Pa toniu
e
sq s
d Ad D. Pa outcome of collective deliberations and
ditiv ren
on
methodologies and breakthroughs, thanks
s
ten olf A
n Foo sso, ion l
on ose n. pin urna
Ru
d

in
p A P. M pinio
rou nc,
g G Lebla ntific
o
S
decisions, each member having an equal
cie . EF
ff
c O Jo
ntifi SA to the knowledge of its experts and ties with
rk . cie S); dstu l
Wo n, J-C this s N

yw
e
ars rk on
o
d (A fo urn
Foo s to ajo
to rpose .eu/efs
o
say. In addition, EFSA applies a robust set of
a
scientific networks and food safety agencies
ed u a
add nal p urop
es
ourc utrit .efs
t S for n www
:
io a.e
internal mechanisms and working processes around the globe.
e d
d onli n e
able to safeguard the independence of its scientific
work, including demanding declaration of Through its risk communications activities,
interests requirements. EFSA seeks to raise awareness and
further explain the implications of its
The highly-qualified scientific staff in EFSA’s scientific assessments. As laid down in its
three scientific directorates support these Communications Strategy, the Authority
groups and carry out evaluations themselves does this by analysing public perception
in some areas, such as the peer review of active of risks linked to food and explaining and
substances used in pesticides. Together with contextualising risks associated with the food
national partners, EFSA staff also play a vital chain. Working with key actors including
role in harmonising and expanding the scope national authorities, stakeholders and media
of data collection and monitoring activities – helps EFSA to relay messages to different
for example on food consumption, zoonotic audiences. The Authority also promotes
diseases, pesticides, contaminants – that consistency of messages by co-ordinating
improve the quality of EFSA’s risk assessments. communications with other risk assessment
bodies and risk managers such as the
Guided by its Science Strategy, the Authority European Commission and EU Member States.
stays in tune with international scientific
 Photo credits:

TM-30-12-865-EN-C
EFSA, shutterstock, iStockphoto, Corbis Images,
Science Photo Library, Inmagine, Thinkstock, agtel

© European Food Safety Authority, 2012. Reproduction is authorised,

except for commercial purposes, provided that the source is acknowledged.

Via Carlo Magno 1A Tel. +39 0521 036 111

43126 Parma Fax +39 0521 036 110 ISBN 978-92-9199-457-1
ITALY www.efsa.europa.eu doi: 10.2805/21109