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Mercury in food – EFSA updates advice on risks for public health
The European Food Safety Authority (EFSA) has established Tolerable Weekly Intakes (TWIs), or ‘safe levels’, intended to protect consumers from adverse health effects posed by the possible presence of...
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Caramel colours: consumer exposure lower than previously estimated
The European Food Safety Authority (EFSA) has revised its estimate of consumer exposure to three caramel colours (E 150a, E 150c, E 150d) used in a variety of foods and beverages. Using new data on...
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Sea transport of edible fats and oils – EFSA completes evaluations of previous cargoes
The worldwide trade of edible fats and oils in bulk requires their transport by road, rail, inland waterways and sea. In the European Union, the carriage by sea of edible fats and oils into Europe is...
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Séralini et al. study conclusions not supported by data, says EU risk assessment community
Serious defects in the design and methodology of a paper by Séralini et al. mean it does not meet acceptable scientific standards and there is no need to re-examine previous safety evaluations of...
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EFSA provides an update on “Schmallenberg” virus in EU
The European Food Safety Authority has published a report analysing the latest epidemiological data available on the incidence of the “Schmallenberg” virus (SBV) in Europe. The report outlines that by...
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EFSA reviews work on bees
EFSA has completed a full review of all its risk assessment activities and scientific outputs related to bees and bee health. An inventory has been compiled which will now be assessed by EFSA’s...
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EFSA to finalise review of Séralini et al. publication by mid-November
EFSA is due to publish in mid-November its second and final assessment of the Séralini et al. publication on the potential toxicity of GM maize NK603 and of a herbicide containing glyphosate. EFSA has...
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Acrylamide levels in food largely unchanged states EFSA’s latest report
The European Food Safety Authority (EFSA) has published its annual update report on acrylamide levels in food in 25 European countries. Acrylamide is a chemical contaminant produced during food...
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EFSA provides Séralini et al with data on GM maize NK603
Following a written request by Professor Gilles-Eric Séralini, EFSA has today given the researcher access to all available data relating to the Authority’s evaluation of genetically modified (GM)...
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EFSA welcomes Declaration of Support from Advisory Forum
The European Food Safety Authority welcomes the statement issued by its Advisory Forum in support of EFSA’s decade-long contribution to the progress of food safety in Europe. The Forum has also...
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EFSA publishes initial review on GM maize and herbicide study
The European Food Safety Authority has concluded that a recent paper raising concerns about the potential toxicity of genetically modified (GM) maize NK603 and of a herbicide containing glyphosate is...
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Endocrine disruptors: EFSA to deliver scientific opinion in March 2013
Endocrine disruptors are chemicals that may interfere with the hormonal system. At the request of the European Commission, the European Food Safety Authority (EFSA) is preparing a scientific opinion...
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New EU flavourings list made possible with EFSA’s evaluations
Today’s landmark publication of the European Union list of flavourings authorised for use in foods in the EU is a major milestone for consumer protection that also brings clarity to industry. Since...
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EFSA to deliver initial review on GM maize and herbicide study next week
The European Food Safety Authority (EFSA) will next week deliver its preliminary review of a new study which states concerns over the potential toxicity of a herbicide containing glyphosate and of...
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EU agencies support rare Salmonella Stanley incident
Upon request from the European Commission, the European Food Safety Authority and the European Centre for Disease Prevention and Control (ECDC) have jointly provided advice on an on-going outbreak of...
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Pesticides and bees: EFSA consults on draft risk assessment guidance
EFSA has launched a public consultation on its draft guidelines for assessing the risk to bees from plant protection products. The guidance suggests a multi-layered risk assessment approach in semi...
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EFSA to issue statement on potential glyphosate toxicity as used in herbicides and GM maize NK603
EFSA is aware of the new paper by Séralini et al published in Food and Chemical Toxicology on 19 September 2012 that investigates the potential toxicity of glyphosate used as a herbicide and of...
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Bee health: the interaction between pesticides and other factors
Does exposure to pesticides make bees more susceptible to disease and attack by parasites? EFSA has published an overview of current knowledge on how – or if – plant protection products and other...
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EFSA 10 years on - Independent report says Authority delivering on all fronts, outlines recommendations for further progress
The European Food Safety Authority (EFSA) continues to demonstrate its value as the cornerstone of risk assessment for food and feed in the EU and fulfil its obligations to operate in an independent...
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Aspartame re-evaluation extended until May 2013
At the request of the European Food Safety Authority (EFSA), the European Commission has agreed to extend the timeline for the full re-evaluation of aspartame to May 2013. This will also allow...
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PET recycling processes for food contact materials: EFSA adopts first opinions
The European Food Safety Authority (EFSA) has adopted its first three scientific opinions on the safety of processes to recycle polyethylene terephthalate (PET) for use in food contact materials. All...
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EFSA evaluates its process for the identification of emerging risks
The European Food Safety Authority has published a second periodic report on its work in the area of emerging risk identification. The report highlights findings from the 2010-2012 pilot phase that...
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EFSA assesses safety of long-chain omega-3 fatty acids
Daily supplemental intakes of 5g of long-chain omega-3 fatty acids raise no safety concerns for adults, EFSA has concluded. The Panel on Dietetic Products, Nutrition and Allergies (NDA Panel)...
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Upper intake levels reviewed for vitamin D and calcium
EFSA has reviewed the Tolerable Upper Intake Levels (ULs) for calcium and vitamin D. For vitamin D, the UL for adults and adolescents has been raised from 50 micrograms (50µg) a day to 100µg; the UL...
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Dioxins and PCBs report shows drop in dietary exposure over last decade
The European Food Safety Authority (EFSA) has published a new report on levels of dioxins and polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs) in food and feed. Dioxins and PCBs are persistent environmental...
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Food additives: EFSA’s new guidance for applicants
New guidance for the submission of food additive applications, reflecting advances in science and the latest risk assessment principles, has been developed on the initiative of scientific experts from...
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Health claims guidance: psychological functions, and physical performance
EFSA has published two more important guidance documents to assist applicants in preparing applications for the authorisation of health claims. The latest documents cover claims related to...
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Animal cloning: EFSA reiterates safety of derived food products but underscores animal health & welfare issues
The European Food Safety Authority (EFSA) has today published a scientific statement upon request from the European Commission that takes into consideration the latest research on animal clones and...
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EFSA provides guidance on possible use of the Threshold of Toxicological Concern approach in chemical risk assessment
The European Food Safety Authority (EFSA) has published a new scientific opinion on the potential use of the threshold of toxicological concern (TTC) approach for estimating possible human health...
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Poultry meat inspection: EFSA reviews risks for public health
The European Food Safety Authority’s (EFSA) scientific opinion published today, suggests that traditional poultry meat inspection may not suffice to fully address the most relevant biological hazards...
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EFSA assesses impact of Schmallenberg virus in EU
The European Food Safety Authority (EFSA) has published its overall assessment of the impact of infection by the so-called “Schmallenberg” virus (SBV) on animal health, animal production and animal...
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Mineral oil hydrocarbons: EFSA publishes opinion on these complex compounds
The European Food Safety Authority (EFSA) has published a scientific opinion on human exposure through the diet to a diverse group of mixtures known as ‘mineral oil hydrocarbons’ (MOH). The potential...
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EFSA reviews studies on some pesticides and bee health
Two teams of researchers recently had innovative behavioural studies[1] published in the journal Science which suggested that low levels of neonicotinoid pesticides[2] can have significant effects on...
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A global first: guidance for assessing safety of Enterococcus faecium in animal feed
The European Food Safety Authority (EFSA) has developed pioneering guidance for the safety assessment of one of the most common probiotics used in animal feed, Enterococcus faecium. The guidance...
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Pesticides and bee health: EFSA reviews the science
EFSA has published a state-of-the-art scientific review of the risks posed by pesticides to honey bees, bumble bees and solitary bees. This major piece of work will support the development of specific...
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Bisphenol A: EFSA launches full re-evaluation focussing on exposure and possible low dose effects
Updated* The European Food Safety Authority (EFSA) has started work on its new risk assessment of bisphenol A (BPA), used in food contact materials, focussing in particular on exposure of vulnerable...