About: EFSA
Grub’s up: Insects could soon be on the menu after EFSA green light
Mealworms are safe for human consumption according to a new opinion by the EU Food Safety Agency (EFSA), paving the way for the first EU-wide approval.
Agrifood Brief: (You make me feel like) a natural product
Welcome to EURACTIV’s AgriFood Brief, your weekly update on all things Agriculture & Food in the EU. You can subscribe here if you haven’t done so yet. This week, we speak with: EURACTIV’s very own Digital Editor, Sam Stolton, about digitalisation...
New EU food agency tool reopens date marking rift
The European Food Safety Agency (EFSA) has stepped into the long-standing issue of date marking on food by presenting a new tool to help business operators decide when to apply the ‘use by’ or ‘best before’ date to their products.
Agrifood Brief: Europeans’ genuine obsession
Welcome to EURACTIV’s AgriFood Brief, your weekly update on all things Agriculture & Food in the EU. You can subscribe here if you haven’t done so yet. The biggest news of the week in the EU agrifood bubble is...
Existing guidance appropriate for gene editing assessment, says EFSA
Genome editing does not pose any additional hazards compared to conventional breeding or other genetic modification methods, meaning that existing guidance is adequate for their assessment, the European Food Safety Agency (EFSA) has concluded.
EU agency reports cases of Salmonella after contaminated imported nuts
An outbreak of Salmonella Typhimurium linked to Brazil nuts imported from Bolivia has been reported in several EU countries, prompting the European Commission to trigger its rapid alert system.
Back to the egg: a shining example of absurd EU regulation
During this exceptionally hot summer, food chain operators and retailers intuitively used their fridges to prevent eggs from spoilage, although this is not permitted in the EU, writes Kostadin Fikiin.
Gene editing, CAP reform bickering, hospitality sector
Welcome to EURACTIV’s AgriFood Brief, your weekly update on all things Agriculture & Food in the EU. You can subscribe here if you haven’t done so yet. German Green faction pushes for gene editing, overhaul of regulation In an unprecedented...
Lack of skilled workers ‘serious concern’ for pig welfare at slaughter
The European food safety authority (EFSA) has published its latest scientific opinion on the welfare of pigs at slaughter, which found that the majority of hazards identified were due in large part to staff failings.
Organic regulation postponement, new F2F date confirmed, agritourism struggles
Welcome to EURACTIV’s AgriFood Brief, your weekly update on all things Agriculture & Food in the EU. You can subscribe here if you haven’t done so yet. Commission urged to hold off new rules on organic products Backed by the...
NGO challenges new EFSA studies on multiple pesticides as ‘unfit for purpose’
The European Food Safety Authority (EFSA) has published the results of its two pilot assessments on the risks posed to humans by residues of multiple pesticides in food, but a leading European association of health/consumer groups has deemed them “unfit for purpose.”
EFSA report offers snapshot into pesticide residues on food
EFSA published its annual report on pesticide residues found in food in the European Union on Thursday (2 April) which found that the food commodities analysed were “unlikely to pose concern for consumer health.”
Are Europeans ready for an insect-based diet?
While insect-based foods have so far been quite a niche product, they are viewed as a highly promising solution to the challenges facing the food industry. Although new EU regulations should pave the way for these products - European eating habits might have to change too. EURACTIV Germany reports.
AMR: Foodborne superbugs harder to beat, EU agencies say
Foodborne bacteria such as Salmonella, Campylobacter and E. Coli are getting harder to treat as they are becoming increasingly resistant to antibiotics used to beat them, two EU agencies warned in a report published on Tuesday (3 March).
EFSA will keep British experts despite Brexit [Part II]
The European Food Safety Authority will keep UK experts in its ranks despite Brexit, because science does not recognise borders "and we want to have the best people", the EU food watchdog chief told EURACTIV.com in an exclusive interview.
Spread of African swine fever confirmed in nine EU countries
The area of the European Union affected by the African swine fever (ASF) is "progressively expanding", the European Food Safety Authority (EFSA) said in its latest update on the disease, published on Thursday (30 January).
Cultured meat could be on the EU market ‘as early as 2022’
After environmentalist George Monbiot’s controversial “Apocalypse Cow” documentary recently suggested that we may soon see the end of all farming, EURACTIV took a look at cultured meat to see what it is and where we're at.
Welfare of rabbits farmed in Europe not up to scratch, says EFSA
The welfare of adult rabbits kept in conventional cage systems is worse than that of those housed in other systems used in the EU, EFSA has concluded in an extensive study which investigated rabbit welfare in the EU.
EU to ban two ‘brain-damaging’ pesticides
Representatives from member states in the EU Committee on Plants, Animals, Food and Feed (SCOPAFF) voted to ban the controversial pesticides chlorpyrifos and chlorpyrifos-methyl from the EU market on Friday (6 December).
New scientific research offers hope for overcoming olive tree killer
A number of promising results from innovative EU funded research presented at the recent scientific conference suggest that we might be one step closer to beating the olive trees killer Xylella fastidiosa.
France launches public consultation on ‘pesticides-free zones’
France's government has launched a public consultation about its measure related to creating relatively narrow pesticide-free zones around houses, which civil society sees as insufficient. EURACTIV's partner le Journal de l'environnement reports.
EU should celebrate but not remain complacent about food safety
As Europe celebrates World Food Safety Day for the first time, Bernhard Url welcomes the fact that every year, on June 7, the world’s attention will be drawn to the crucial role that food safety plays in our daily lives and to its importance in achieving the UN Sustainable Development Goals.
EFSA boss: Next time we should also assess consequences without glyphosate
The next re-authorisation process for the controversial glyphosate weedkiller should also include an assessment of a potential ban of the substance in terms of food availability, biodiversity and farmers’ income, Bernhard Url told EURACTIV.com in an interview.