European Food Safety Authority (EFSA)

In addition to collection, collation and analysis of data on food consumption and chemical occurrence in food and feed, the unit also collects food composition data and contributes to the scientific development and application of new exposure assessment methodologies.

This work feeds into the risk assessment activities of EFSA’s Scientific Panels and Scientific Committee. Exposure assessment is one of the four components of food safety risk assessment and an essential part of the development of EFSA’s scientific advice. It involves estimating dietary exposure to a hazard through combining occurrence levels in a food with consumption levels of the food.

The unit’s work ultimately supports risk managers in taking effective and timely decisions to protect the public from contaminant hazards and encouraging healthy eating.

The DATEX unit works by networking with EU Member States to collect, collate and analyse data necessary for European exposure assessments. The unit also co-operates with European and international organisations in collecting data on food composition and exposure. It frequently launches open calls for data in order to gather relevant information from a wide range of sources.