About The European Food Safety Authority (EFSA)
The European Food Safety Authority (EFSA) is the responsible authority of European Union (EU) risk assessment for food and feed safety. In close collaboration with national authorities and in open consultation with its stakeholders, EFSA provides independent scientific advice and clear communication on existing and emerging risks. EFSA is an independent European agency funded by the EU budget that operates separately from the European Commission, European Parliament and EU Member States.
Independent scientific advice on food and feed safety
The European Food Safety Authority (EFSA) was established in January 2002 as an independent source of scientific advice and communication on risks associated with the food chain. EFSA was created as part of a comprehensive programme to improve EU food safety, ensure a high level of consumer protection and restore and maintain confidence in the EU food supply.
In the European food safety system, risk assessment is done independently from risk management. As the risk assessor, EFSA produces scientific opinions and advice to provide a sound foundation for European policies and legislation and to support the European Commission, European Parliament and EU Member States in taking effective and timely risk management decisions.
EFSA’s remit covers food and feed safety, nutrition, animal health and welfare, plant protection and plant health. In carrying out its work, EFSA also considers the possible impact of the food chain on the biodiversity of plant and animal habitats. The Authority performs environmental risk assessments of genetically modified crops, pesticides, feed additives, and plant pests. In all these fields, EFSA’s most critical commitment is to provide objective and independent science-based advice and clear communication grounded in the most up-to-date scientific information and knowledge.
EFSA’s independent scientific advice underpins the European food safety system. Thanks to this system, European consumers are among the best protected and best informed in the world as regards risks in the food chain.
Disclaimer: More information about the recruitment and selection process can be found on EFSA’s website. Most of the information about EFSA on this page is copied directly from the website of EFSA (http://www.efsa.europa.eu/).