EFSA and FDA strengthen co-operation in food safety science
The European Food Safety Authority (EFSA) and the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) have signed the first US/European agreement in the area of assessing food safety risk.
This is the first formal international co-operation agreement EFSA has signed and the first formal step in co-operation between the two bodies.
The agreement is designed to facilitate the sharing of confidential scientific and other information between EFSA and the FDA, such as methodologies to ensure that food is safe. A formal agreement ensures appropriate protection of such confidential information under the applicable legal frameworks in both the US and the EU. Informal co-operation and dialogue have already been established between the two bodies; this agreement will enable these to be formalised and extended.
“Food safety knows no national boundaries and the food chain is today truly a global one," said Catherine Geslain-Lanéelle, EFSA's executive director. "We need to work with the best scientific minds from across the world and extend scientific co-operation to assess food safety risks and protect consumers even more. Sharing data and knowledge across our two organizations is an important first step in achieving this goal."
"As a science-based and science-led agency, FDA recognises that scientific co-operation is vital for the success of its mission, which is to provide the best possible health protection for the public," added Dr Andrew C. von Eschenbach, commissioner, food and drugs. "I welcome this opportunity for scientific exchanges with our European colleagues — exchanges that will be focused on ensuring the safety and wholesomeness of food, a major area of responsibility of our agency."