Among the many international contacts of DFI, the European Food Safety Authority (EFSA) is the most important one.

The European Food Safety Authority (EFSA) is the agency of the European Union (EU) that provides independent scientific advice and communicates on existing and emerging risks associated with the food chain. EFSA was established in February 2002, is based in Parma, Italy. The work of EFSA covers all matters with a direct or indirect impact on food and feed safety, including animal health and welfare, plant protection and plant health or nutrition. EFSA supports the European Commission, the European Parliament and the EU Member States in taking effective and timely risk management decisions that ensure the protection of the health of European consumers and the safety of the food and feed chain. EFSA also communicates to the public in an open and transparent way on all matters within its remit.

As the European institution responsible for food safety risk assessment, EFSA has also various data-related activities. EFSA collects food consumption and food contaminants data from all over Europe.

DFI collaborates with EFSA in various fields: risk assessment, emerging risk identification, strategic planning, applying social science methodologies in food safety decision making and also in data collection and modelling activities. Through the various EFSA networks we also collaborate with many European risk assessment institutions and public health authorities.

Links:
EFSA 
EFSA Research Platform

DFI's staff participate in the following EFSA working groups and networks:

The 2022 Zoonoses Report is out

In 2022, campylobacteriosis and salmonellosis were the most commonly reported zoonotic diseases in humans in the EU. The number of cases was still lower than in the years 2018-2019 before the pandemic. An increase in the number of infections was observed for West Nile fever.

EFSA corporate video

A new EFSA corporate video has been released, showcasing EFSA's objectives and the partners with whom it works closely to ensure that EU citizens are protected by the best food safety standards.

Hazard versus risk

Often used synonymously, but the two have different meanings. EFSA's new mini campaign highlights the difference between the two concepts.

EFSA is looking for scientific experts

The European Food Safety Authority (EFSA) will renew the membership of its Scientific Panels and Scientific Committee in 2024. A call for applications was recently published on the EFSA website.

EU-FORA – The European Food Risk Assessment Fellowship Programme

The European Food Risk Assessment (EU-FORA) Fellowship Programme is a key initiative for ensuring preparedness for future risk analysis needs. Based on the experience of the past six years, the deadline to apply for the renewed programme as hosting site or fellow is 15 March 2023.

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