About: European Food Safety Agency
Member states back ban on unsafe food colourant linked with cancer risk
EU countries have backed the European Commission's proposal to ban the use of the common food additive titanium dioxide after the European food safety agency deemed it to be unsafe, paving the way for a potential ban in 2022.
EU U-turns on ‘unsafe’ common food additive linked with cancer risk
The European Food Safety Agency (EFSA) has deemed titanium dioxide, a widely used food additive, to be unsafe in its latest study, contradicting an earlier conclusion and paving the way for an EU-wide ban after a decade of debate.
EU cautious on Danone’s shift towards ‘best before’ date marking
The European Commission has urged caution about the expiry date marking of highly perishable food after multinational food concern Danone announced plans to get rid of the 'use by' reference for its dairy products.
No evidence of COVID-19 transmission through food, says EFSA
There is currently “no evidence that food is a likely source or route of transmission” of the novel coronavirus, COVID-19, the European Food Safety Agency (EFSA) has concluded.
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.
Europe’s food safety system ‘overstretched’, auditors say
The European Union’s food safety system is respected across the globe but it’s now “overstretched”, the European Court of Auditors (ECA) said in a report published on Tuesday (15 January), urging policymakers to bolster implementation capacity.
Is recycled plastic safe for food packaging? EU seems to think so
The European Commission is preparing to fast-track approval of 140 recycling processes for use in food and drinks packaging, despite warnings that second-hand plastics risk containing toxic chemicals that are dangerous for human health.
Salmonella on the rise again, EU officials admit
The incidence of Salmonella in humans was almost halved between 2004 and 2009 but new figures show that it has re-appeared, causing worries for food producers and health workers, but also for EU policymakers.
Belgium aware of eggs scandal since June but did not speak out
Belgium has been aware of a potential problem with fipronil in the poultry sector since June, its food safety agency admitted, adding that it did not say anything because of a fraud investigation.
Industry asks the Commission to harmonise sports food rules
Four sports foods trade associations launched a joint initiative on Monday (26 June) calling on the European Commission to amend EU food legislation and come up with harmonised rules to regulate their products and ensure their proper use and equal treatment in all member states.
EFSA: Glyphosate ban debate ‘legitimate’ but not about science
The debate on the toxicity of pesticides and the role of big multinationals in agriculture is a legitimate one to have, says Bernhard Url, the head of the European Food Safety Authority (EFSA). But it goes beyond the realm of science, he told EURACTIV in an interview, calling on politicians to assume their responsibilities and make their own decisions.
High levels of acrylamide found in German gingerbread
Campaigners today (22 December) published a survey identifying high levels of the cancer-causing substance acrylamide in a range of gingerbread varieties on the German market.
EU trade chief tells consumers not to worry about TTIP
EU consumers should not be worried about safety standards for food and health being jeopardised by negotiators in the free-trade talks between the EU and the US, insisted Cecilia Malmström.
EU food safety watchdog issues cancer warning on acrylamide
Experts from the European Food Safey Authority (EFSA) have confirmed previous conclusions that acrylamide, a chemical substance formed when heating foods like potato chips, barbecued meat, and bread, potentially increases the risk of developing cancer.
Tests show up to 5% of EU beef products contain horsemeat
Up to 5% of European Union products labelled as beef contain horsemeat, according to results published by the European Commission yesterday (16 April).
EU ministers to meet over horsemeat concerns
EU ministers will hold a meeting in Brussels tomorrow (13 February) to deal with the fallout from the horsemeat scandal as investigations in France and the UK continued yesterday.
Romania’s Ponta ‘very angry’ at horsemeat fraud allegations
The Romanian prime minister said on Monday (11 February) that any fraud over horsemeat sold as beef had not happened in his country and he was angered by suggestions it might have been.
EU-wide alert as British horsemeat scandal takes ‘criminal’ turn
Swedish frozen-food company Findus withdrew all its beef lasagna ready meals from supermarkets after tests revealed they contained up to 100% horsemeat. But the investigation took an EU-wide dimension as British investigators found evidence of "gross negligence or possibly criminality" involving several countries.