What will be the tasks of the European Food Authority?
As set out in the Commission proposal for a Regulation laying down fundamental principles and requirements of food law and establishing a European Food Authority (EFA), the core task of the Authority will be to provide independent scientific advice and support and to set up a network for close co-operation with similar bodies in Member States. It will assess risks related to the food chain and give the general public information about food risks. The EFA will have six main tasks: (1) independent scientific advice on food safety issues and other related matters such as nutrition, animal health/welfare, plant health, GMOs, at the request of the Commission, the European Parliament (EP), the Member States or national food bodies as a basis for risk management decisions; (2) advice on technical food issues to underpin policy development and legislation related to safety issues in the food chain; (3) collection and analysis of data on dietary patterns, exposure of data from monitoring progra
