EFSA Focal Point

One of our most important cooperation partners at European level is theEuropean Food Safety Authority (EFSA). We operate the national focal point (EFSA Focal Point) in Austria. This acts as an interface between EFSA and national food safety authorities, research institutes, consumers and other stakeholders associated with EFSA. Our main task is to support the members of EFSA's Advisory Forum. We also ensure the exchange of scientific information between EFSA and Member States, assist in networking and strengthen the public perception of EFSA. Further information: https://www.efsa.europa.eu/de/infographics/how-efsa-works-eu-member-states

EUChooseSafeFood Campaign - Science for Safe Food

As part of the #EUChooseSafeFood awareness campaign, EFSA provides information on important food safety issues.

The aim of the campaign is to encourage consumers to make more conscious food choices by showing the important role of science and the joint work of scientists for food safety in the EU.

In Austria, we support the campaign as the national contact for the common focus topics, including: Understanding Labels, Health Claims on Food Packaging, Making Healthy Choices, Ingredients in Food Packaging, Food Additives and Foodborne Diseases.

On the campaign website, information material, short films and tips are available free of charge for all interested parties to use.

EFSA News

Saccharin: No health risk

In a recent scientific opinion, the European Food Safety Authority (EFSA) concluded that saccharin is safe for human consumption and increased the acceptable daily intake (ADI) from 5 to 9 mg/kg body weight per day.

DRV-Finder (updated with new tolerable maximum quantities in November 2024)

The interactive tool provides quick and easy access to the Dietary Reference Values (DRVs) in the EU and allows you to easily find the values required for dietary recommendations.

EFSA climate suitability analysis for new and emerging plant pests and diseases

When new plant pests such as insects, fungi, bacteria and viruses arrive in Europe, they threaten our local plants and biodiversity. Climate suitability analysis is a tool to assess the likelihood of this happening to help decision-makers keep them out.

Novel Foods: What do EFSA's updated guidelines for safety assessments mean?

Ermolaos Ververis, Scientific Officer in EFSA's Nutrition and Food Innovation Unit, takes us through the latest updates to the guidance on novel food applications.

EFSA identifies 12 bark and ambrosia beetle species that pose a high risk to plant health in the EU

The European Food Safety Authority (EFSA), in collaboration with the University of Padua, has identified 12 species of bark and ambrosia beetles that pose a high economic or environmental risk to plant health in the EU. The beetles, which attack deciduous trees, are currently not present or not yet widespread in the EU and fulfil the criteria for classification as potential Union quarantine pests (QPs).

Nanotechnology - promoting the use of new assessment methods

A new report by EFSA partners in the NAMs4NANO project proposes a system to promote New Approach Methods (NAMs) to assess the potential food safety risks of nanoparticles.

Vibrios in seafood and fishery products: increased risk due to climate change and antimicrobial resistance

According to the latest EFSA assessment, the prevalence of vibrios in seafood and fishery products is expected to increase due to climate change, both globally and in Europe, especially in low salinity or brackish waters. In addition, resistance to reserve antibiotics is increasingly being observed in some Vibrio species.

EFSA launches new web tool to calculate dietary exposure to food enzymes

EFSA has published an innovative new web tool to help industry stakeholders and consumers assess dietary exposure to food enzymes.

Avian flu

Decline in cases in Europe, surveillance recommended in view of the coming influenza season.

Prepare for the unexpected - EFSA celebrates World Food Safety Day 2024

This year's World Food Safety Day focuses on food incidents and the critical need to prepare for unexpected events. EFSA is also marking the day with the publication of new materials as part of the joint EFSA and Member State Safe2Eat campaign

African swine fever: significant increase in pigs in the EU in 2023

In 2023, 14 EU Member States were affected by African swine fever (ASF) and the number of outbreaks in domestic pigs increased fivefold compared to the previous year. These are the main findings of the latest annual epidemiological report published by EFSA.

The #PlantHealth4Life campaign is back

A broad alliance of partners across Europe has kicked off the second year of the #PlantHealth4Life campaign. The aim is to sensitise citizens to the profound connections between their daily lives and plant health and to motivate them to get involved in plant protection.

The "Safe2Eat" 2024 campaign: empowering consumers across Europe

From "EUChooseSafeFood" to "Safe2Eat": with renewed commitment and expanded participation across Europe, EFSA and its partners in EU Member States are once again presenting a campaign to empower consumers to make informed food choices.

Pesticide residues in food: latest figures published

EFSA's latest report on pesticide residues in food in the European Union is now available. It provides a snapshot of the residue levels found in a selection of commonly consumed products.

Bird flu (avian influenza)

Surveillance as part of the "One Health" concept is crucial to preventing the development of the virus. A scientific report by the EFSA and the ECDC assesses the risk factors for a possible influenza pandemic and the corresponding containment measures.

Veterinary drug residues in animals and food remain low

Residue levels of veterinary medicines and other substances found in animals and animal foods remain low, according to the latest EFSA report.

Further efforts required to combat antimicrobial resistance (AMR) in humans and animals

According to the new report by the European Food Safety Authority (EFSA) and the European Centre for Disease Prevention and Control (ECDC), resistance of Salmonella and Campylobacter to common antimicrobials continues to be frequently observed in humans and animals.

Inter-agency report emphasises the importance of reducing the use of antibiotics

In countries where antibiotic consumption has decreased in both animals and humans, the number of antibiotic-resistant bacteria has decreased. This is according to the fourth joint report on the integrated analysis of antimicrobial consumption and the emergence of antimicrobial resistance in bacteria (JIACRA IV).

Inorganic arsenic in food - health concerns confirmed

Consumer exposure to inorganic arsenic in food gives rise to health concerns, according to the conclusions of EFSA's latest risk assessment of this contaminant.

EU One Health report on zoonoses

Campylobacteriosis and salmonellosis still below pre-pandemic levels; West Nile virus infections on the rise.

Questions and answers about smoke flavourings

Smoke flavourings serve as an alternative to traditional smoking. The EFSA has assessed the safety of eight smoke flavourings and identified risks.

Transnational outbreak of Salmonella Enteritidis in chicken meat and chicken meat products

Between January and October 2023, 14 EU/EEA countries, the UK and the US reported 335 cases related to this outbreak.

Cats and dogs should not be kept permanently in boxes, cages and crates

To improve the welfare of cats and dogs, EFSA is publishing a new scientific report supporting possible legislative measures to protect cats and dogs on commercial farms kept for sport, hunting and companion purposes.

#PlantHealth4Life

EFSA, European Commission and EU Member States launch the #PlantHealth4Life campaign. This campaign raises awareness of plant health and its connection to our everyday lives.

Glyphosate assessment by EFSA

The chemical active ingredient glyphosate is widely used in crop protection plant protection products to control weeds. The active substance was scientifically re-evaluated under the direction of EFSA. No critical critical problem areas were identified.

Decline in African swine fever

The number of outbreaks of African swine fever (ASF) in pigs and reported cases in wild boar in the European Union (EU) fell significantly in 2022 compared to the previous year.

EU Pesticides Report

A detailed report on the residue situation in food.

Veterinary drug residues in food continue to decline

Residues of veterinary medicinal products in food are continuing to fall in the European Union. The level of compliance with the regulations is increasing, as the latest data show.

Be an EFSA expert!

EFSA is looking for scientific experts for EFSA's scientific panels.

Total copper intake below the acceptable daily intake

Combined exposure to copper from all sources does not pose a health population, according to EFSA's scientific experts.

Cases of avian influenza in poultry and waterfowl on the rise

According to the latest report from EFSA, ECDC and EURL, the number of cases of highly pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI) detected in poultry and waterfowl in Europe has increased since the summer.

Zoonoses and foodborne outbreaks are increasing, but are still below pre-pandemic levels

This is according to the latest annual EU zoonoses report published by the EFSA and the ECDC as part of the "One Health" concept.

Sulphites

The dietary intake of sulphites could be a risk factor for consumers of of foods containing these additives could pose a safety risk to consumers. pose a safety risk.

Curbing the spread of antibiotic resistance during animal transport

The EFSA outlines measures such as minimising transport times and thoroughly cleaning vehicles, equipment and loading/unloading areas.

Bird flu: case numbers in Europe higher than ever before in summer

In the period from June to September, more cases of highly pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI) were reported in wild and domestic poultry in Europe than ever before in the summer months.

Eurobarometer 2022 on food safety in the EU

The Eurobarometer survey commissioned by EFSA analyses Europeans' perceptions and attitudes towards food safety.

More space, lower temperatures, shorter transport times

EFSA recommendations to improve the welfare of animals during transport. The opinions set out the various effects on animal welfare during the different stages of transport.

DI Johann Steinwider

Last updated: 15.11.2024

automatically translated