Annual report of the Emerging Risks Exchange Network 2013

EFSA established an Emerging Risks Exchange Network (EREN) to exchange information between EFSA and the MSs on possible emerging risks for food and feed safety in 2010. The Network is currently composed of delegates from 21 Member States and an EFTA country (Norway) designated through the Advisory Forum of EFSA and observers from the European Commission, EU pre-accession countries, the Food and Drug Administration of the USA (FDA) and the Food and Agricultural Organisation of the United Nations (FAO). The Network met three times during 2013. The Network discussed a total of 16 signals of potential emerging issues that were presented and assessed using a standard template developed by the Scientific Committee and Emerging Risks unit of EFSA. Out of these signals, 10 originated from EFSA and six from Member States. The issues discussed were from the areas of microbiological hazards, biotoxins, chemical hazards, illegal activity, new consumer consumption trends, new technologies and processes, animal health, environmental pollution, new analytical methods and new food packaging technology. The issues that merit further consideration will be discussed by EFSA’s Scientific Committee Standing Working Group on Emerging Risks.