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Explore the role of EFSA in providing scientific advice on food safety at EU level and the transition to the new advisory system structure. Learn about the panels, experts, latest opinions, and ongoing tasks in food safety regulation.
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EU Scientific Advisory System Prof. Albert Flynn Chairman, EFSA Scientific Panel on Dietetic Products, Nutrition and Allergies Chairman, FSAI Scientific Committee University College, Cork Ireland
EU Scientific Advice on Food Safety Scientific advice is a key component of policy and regulation for food safety EFSA - central role in providing scientific advice on food safety at EU level National authorities - scientific advice on food safety at national level
EFSA - the transition (2003) successful transition from the (old) EC advisory system to new EFSA structure recruitment of high quality staff recruitment of high quality experts to Scientific Committee/Panels continuity of risk assessment tasks
EFSA risk assessment structure • Scientific Committee + 8 Scientific Panels • 156 experts • Additional external experts (working groups) • External agencies • EFSA scientific/management/administrative staff • EFSA Risk Communication function
Scientific Committee • 14 members : 8 Panel Chairs + 6 • multi-sectoral issues that come within the competence of more than one Scientific Panel • issues which do not come within the competence of any of the Scientific Panels Examples • exposure assessment (for food chemicals etc) • Harmonised evaluation - genotoxic and carcinogenic substances • Emerging risks
Panel on food additives, flavourings, processing aids & materials in contact with food [AFC] • safety in the use of food additives, flavourings, processing aids and materials in contact with food • safety of other deliberately added substances to food • safety of processes Recent opinions • substances for food contact materials • Amino acids for dietetic foods • Calcium sulphate for dietetic foods
Panel on genetically modified organisms [GMO] • genetically modified organisms as defined in Directive 2001/18/EC, such as micro-organisms, plants and animals relating to • deliberate release into the environment • genetically modified food and feed including their derived products • Recent opinions • herbicide-tolerant oilseed rape GT73 • herbicide-tolerant genetically modified maize NK603 • Austrian notification of national legislation governing GMOs • guidance notes on the contained use of GMOs
Panel on dietetic products, nutrition and allergies [NDA] • dietetic products, human nutrition and food allergy, and other associated subjects such as novel foods • Recent opinions • Novel foods (plant sterols) • infant formula (oligosaccharides, goats milk) • food allergens (allergenic food ingredients) • Safe upper levels of vitamins & minerals (vanadium) • Ongoing/future tasks • Trans fatty acids • Health claims • Diet and obesity, chronic disease, nutrition policy??
Panel on additives and products or substances used in animal feed [FEEDAP] • biological and chemical products/substances intended for deliberate addition/use in animal feed • safety for the animal, the user/worker, the consumer of products of animal origin, the environment • Efficacy
Panel on plant health, plant protection products and their residues [PPR] • safety of plant protection products for the user/worker, the consumer of treated products and the environment as well as plant health • Panel on animal health & welfare [AHAW] • all aspects of animal health and animal welfare, primarily relating to food producing animals, including fish
Panel on biological hazards [BIOHAZ] • biological hazards relating to food safety and food-borne disease, including • food-borne zoonoses • transmissible spongiform encephalopathies • microbiology • food hygiene • associated waste management
Panel on contaminants in the food chain [CONTAM] • contaminants in food and feed • undesirable substances such as natural toxicants, mycotoxins and residues • other non authorised substances
EFSA - advancing risk assessment in the EU Systems established to ensure improved management/planning of risk assessment (workplan, timelines) transparency risk communication stakeholder engagement interaction of risk assessment/risk management interaction with national authorities
Interaction of EFSA with national authorities need for close cooperation between EFSA and national authorities consistency of scientific advice /communication avoid conflicting advice EFSA legal requirement efficient use of resources - avoid replication of work Advisory Forum - key role
Challenges for risk assessment • increasing requirements for scientific advice • high quality + timeliness of advice • Planning and management of tasks, prioritisation, negotiation • increase support for Scientific Committee/Panels • Increased EFSA staff • Role of external agencies
Conclusions EFSA • significant advance in EU scientific advisory system on food safety • successful transition from the (old) EC advisory system to new structure • systems established to ensure improved risk assessment/risk communication • challenges • responding to increasing requirements for scientific advice • cooperation between EFSA and national authorities • meeting high expectations