European Food Safety Authority - EFSA

The University of Ferrara joined the list of "Competent Organisations within Member States" of the European Food Safety Authority (EFSA) on 29th June 2020.

The European Food Safety Authority (EFSA) is a European agency funded by the European Union operating independently of the European Commission, the European Parliament and Member States. 

The Agency was established in 2002 as an independent source of scientific advice and communication on risks associated with the food chain. EFSA, in its capacity as an organisation in charge of risk assessment, processes scientific opinions and advisory work that underpin consultancy activities, thus creating the foundations of legislation and policies on the subject of the food chain. Its area of expertise includes:

  • Food and feed safety;
  • Human nutrition;
  • Animal health and welfare;
  • Plant protection;
  • Plant health.

In its environmental risk assessments, EFSA also takes into account the possible impact of the food chain on the biodiversity of animal and plant habitats.

EFSA also plays an important role, in co-operation with EU Member States, in data collection and analysis to ensure that European risk assessment is underpinned by the most comprehensive scientific information available.

Communication on risks associated with the food chain is another key area of its mandate. That means providing appropriate, correct and timely information on food safety issues to raise public awareness by explaining the implications of their scientific work.

Further information