On 27 November, EFA participated in the seventh Stakeholder Forum meeting of the European Food Safety Authority (EFSA) in Brussels. This year, the meeting focused on a timely and critical theme: the impact of innovation on food safety risk assessment.
Balancing progress and protection
We live in an age of rapid technological advances and evolving food systems. Information technologies, new methods for food risk assessment and novel foods are reshaping the landscape of food safety. At the core of the discussions was a key question: how can we balance the need for efficiency and transparency in risk assessment while ensuring robust regulation?
EFA’s advocacy for safe and inclusive practices
As an accredited stakeholder at EFSA since 2017, EFA participated in the meeting to connect with experts and stay informed about the emerging trends in food safety. While the forum attracted many participants from the food industry, particularly those involved in marketing authorisations, EFA’s focus remained clear – safeguarding consumers from food allergens in both common and novel foods.
We support innovations in risk assessment but insist on a strong regulatory framework to ensure food safety is never compromised. Transparency in risk assessment is not just a technical requirement, it is vital for protecting public health and maintaining consumer trust despite today’s complex food systems.
Addressing the risks of novel foods
Novel foods present exciting opportunities but also unique challenges, especially for patients living with food allergy. Certain proteins found in novel foods, such as insects, are identical to common food allergens such as shrimps. This creates a potential risk of cross-reactivity which is dangerous for food allergy patients.
EFA calls for comprehensive and inclusive allergenicity assessments in novel foods to address these risks. We look forward to collaborating, as a community of patients, with the European Commission as it revisits the EU novel foods framework.
You can find more information about the programme and the discussions here.