About: EFSA
EU adopts first restrictions on cancer-causing acrylamide in food
Representatives of the EU’s 28 member states voted yesterday (19 July) in favour of a European Commission proposal to reduce the presence in food of acrylamide, a known carcinogenic substance present in fries, crisps, bread, biscuits, or coffee.
Conflicts of interest erode trust in food safety agency
Close to half of the experts at the European Food Security Agency have conflicts of interest that call into question the validity of the agency’s work, according to a new study by Corporate Europe Observatory (CEO). EURACTIV France reports.
MEPs go to court in bid to reform EFSA
Green MEPs have lodged a complaint to denounce the lack of transparency in EFSA’s assessment of glyphosate. They hope to change the internal rules of the agency to boost transparency and limit lobby influence.
Green MEP: EFSA should release full glyphosate studies
Studies by the World Health Organisation (WHO) and the European Food Safety Agency (EFSA) about the risks of the glyphosate pesticide have different conclusions. Belgian MEP Bart Staes told EURACTIV Germany that EFSA needs to make its findings public so they can be scrutinised.
Green NGOs blame Monsanto for ‘buying science’ to save glyphosate
A new report accuses glyphosate producers of “buying science” in order to secure the substance's position in the EU market.
Europe poised for total ban on bee-harming pesticides
The world’s most widely used insecticides would be banned from all fields across Europe under draft regulations from the European Commission, seen by EURACTIV’s partner The Guardian.
Carcinogens found in British baby food and Belgian fries
Two new surveys have found high levels of acrylamide, a known carcinogen, in UK-made baby biscuits and Belgium's favourite fast food.
Italy urged to follow through with ban on glyphosate co-formulant
NGOs are warning Italy that it should not extend a grace period, and ensure that pesticides containing glyphosate do not contain the toxic co-formulant POE-tallowamine.
New GM crops once again fail the safety test
As the world focuses elsewhere, two untested varieties of genetically modified maize are slowly manoeuvring their way through the legislative hoops of the European institutions towards Europe’s fields, writes Mute Schimpf.
Commission pushes vote on acrylamide safety into 2017
A vote on the European Commission’s draft regulation on acrylamide, a contaminant formed in foods when cooked at high temperatures, will take place next year, an EU spokesperson told EURACTIV.com.
EFSA launches public consultation into ‘cocktail effects’ of chemicals
The European Food Safety Authority (EFSA) has asked the public for input on the complex question of the "cocktail effects" of chemical substances. EURACTIV's partner Journal de l'Environnement reports.
Illegal pesticide contamination of food imports on the rise
A European Food Safety Agency (EFSA) report has warned that 6.5% of food imports from third countries contain pesticide residue that exceeds the EU's maximum permitted level. EURACTIV Spain reports.
Food safety watchdog won’t discuss funding shortfall with Health Commissioner
The EU's food safety watchdog faces a funding shortfall over the next five years but will not discuss the issue with Health Commissioner Vytenis Andriukaitis when he visits its Parma headquarters for the first time today (27 April).
EU delays glyphosate decision amid cancer uproar
The EU postponed a decision Tuesday (8 March) on whether to extend the approval of a crucial weedkiller ingredient for another 15 years amid international uproar that it may cause cancer.
EU food safety watchdog hits back at scientists in glyphosate spat
The head of Europe's food safety watchdog has written to a group of nearly 100 senior scientists strongly rejecting their criticisms in an ongoing row about the safety of weed-killer ingredient glyphosate.
France overturns ban on BPA in export products
A ruling by the French Constitutional Council has undermined the country's ban on Bisphenol A. France's highest court ruled that manufacturers can continue export products that contain the substance. EURACTIV France reports.
Pesticides pose risk to bees, EU watchdog says
Widely-used pesticides made by Bayer CropScience and Syngenta pose a risk to bees, the European Union's food safety watchdog said yesterday (26 August), reinforcing previous research that led to EU restrictions.
Plastics industry raises pressure over BPA ban
The French Council of State has questioned the constitutionality of the country’s ban on Bisphenol A in food packaging, following a request from the plastics industry. The chemical was outlawed in January this year. EURACTIV France reports.
97% of pesticide levels in Europe’s food legal, says EU agency
A new report by the European Food Safety Authority (EFSA) has found that more than 97% of foods contain pesticide residue levels that fall within legal limits. Strawberries are the most likely to exceed safe limits, the agency found.
Scientists once again question the safety of aspartame
Artificial sweeteners found in diet soda and yoghurt, which are consumed by millions daily, can raise the blood sugar level instead of reducing it, according to a new study published by the scientific journal Nature.
‘Novel foods’ regulation returns to the EU’s agenda
The European Commission and Parliament are renewing their attempt to update the EU's regulation on novel foods, which was rejected three years ago over ethical and safety concerns related to animal cloning for food production.
EU food agency says acrylamide is a health concern
The European Food Safety Authority (EFSA) says acrylamide in food potentially increases the risk of developing cancer for consumers in all age groups. The authority has launched a public consultation on its draft scientific opinion about the substance.
Paris and Brussels debate yoghurt and margarine
On the eve of the European Council (27 June), yet another dispute has emerged between the EU and France. The French national food safety agency found nothing to prove that food containing high levels of phytosterol prevents heart disease, which contradicts European food safety regulation. EURACTIV France reports.
Parliament rejects draft EU law allowing nanomaterials in food
The European Parliament rejected on Wednesday (12 March) the European Commission's proposed definition of nanomaterials added to food products.