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European Food Safety Authority (EFSA)
Background
The European Food Safety Authority (EFSA) is the cornerstone of the European Union's (EU) risk assessment in the area of food and feed safety. It is based in Parma (Italy). Founded in 2002, EFSA's legal basis is its founding regulation, Regulation (EC) No 178/2002 of the European Parliament and the Council of the European Union.
Goals and tasks
EFSA is the central authority at the European level for the assessment and communication of risks throughout the food chain. It is independent of other EU institutions and of the Member States. EFSA’s role is to use scientific findings on health risks in the food and feed sector to advise the European Commission, the European Parliament, and the Member States, the political decision-makers at the European level.
Structure and working methods
Close cooperation with national food safety authorities and institutions is central to EFSA's scientific work.
EFSA provides independent scientific advice in close cooperation with national authorities and open dialogue with stakeholders. The Scientific Committee and ten expert panels are responsible for producing EFSA's scientific opinions and guidance documents.
The EFSA Advisory Forum, which brings together EFSA and representatives of the food safety authorities of all EU Member States, as well as Iceland and Norway, meets regularly and discusses issues relating to closer cooperation. This cooperation is particularly important in EFSA's panels and working groups, which are made up of experts from the Member States or from outside the EU. Through their scientific assessments, they provide the basis for measures to protect consumers in Europe.
You can view EFSA's latest notifications on the EFSA website.
