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Press releases 2003   
Press releases 2003
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Press releases 2003
Last updated: 14 September 2006    
Publication Date: 15 September 2003    


EFSA welcomes decision on permanent location

The European Food Safety Authority welcomes the decision taken on Saturday, by the European Council, on the permanent location for the Authority.

[Last updated 03 March 2004]
[Publication Date 15 December 2003]


EFSA issues opinions on new GM maize: NK 603 maize considered as safe as conventional maize

The European Food Safety Authority’s (EFSA) Scientific Panel on Genetically Modified Organisms (GMO) has published today two opinions on genetically modified (GM) maize NK603. The Panel has concluded that the herbicide-tolerant GM maize NK 603 is as safe as conventional maize and therefore that its placing on the market -- for import for processing and food or feed use-- is unlikely to have an adverse effect on human or animal health, or in this context, on the environment.

[Last updated 13 February 2004]
[Publication Date 04 December 2003]


EFSA plans greater public involvement in its work

Today the Management Board of the European Food Safety Authority (EFSA) agreed to a far reaching policy put forward by its Executive Director, Geoffrey Podger, on opening up its work further to public scrutiny. The most significant recommendation accepted by the Board today will be to involve consumers and other stakeholders in the Authority’s work, including setting up a stakeholder forum, and to hold public hearings on significant scientific issues.

[Last updated 17 February 2004]
[Publication Date 03 December 2003]


EFSA gives update on semicarbazide : No reason to change current dietary habits including for babies Precautionary action by industry recommended for baby foods

EFSA released today a risk assessment regarding semicarbazide (SEM) in food based on the most recent evidence made available to its scientific panel. This statement updates preliminary advice issued by EFSA on the possible occurrence of semicarbazide in certain foods packaged in glass jars and bottles. While results are not conclusive at the present time, it has become clear that SEM is present in certain foods in very small quantities. The risk to consumers - if any - is judged by scientific experts to be very small, not only for adults but also for infants. Nevertheless, experts believe it would be prudent to reduce the presence of SEM in baby foods as swiftly as technological progress allows. EFSA therefore recommends that the European Commission put in place a monitoring programme to ensure that industry implement alternative packaging solutions in a timely manner focusing on baby foods as an immediate priority. In the interim, EFSA’s scientific experts advise no change to current dietary habits: consumers may continue to utilise all foods concerned, including baby foods.

[Last updated 13 February 2004]
[Publication Date 15 October 2003]


EFSA moves up a gear

Much attention was given to the key issue of resourcing the growth plans of the European Food Safety Authority (EFSA) at its 10th Management Board meeting today. Although EFSA is operational in its main task of assessing food risk in the EU, it still only has a small proportion of its envisaged staff in place. Consequently, the plans for moving forward in this area were discussed extensively.

[Last updated 13 February 2004]
[Publication Date 16 September 2003]


EFSA Expert Group looks at semicarbazide: too early for any conclusions

The European Food Safety Authority (EFSA) has been informed by industry that scientific analysis indicates that semicarbazide (SEM) may have been found in some plastic sealing gaskets used in lids of glass jars and in some packaged foods. These gaskets are used in a very wide range of foods in jars including fruit juices, jams and conserves, honey, baby food, pickles and sterilized vegetables, mayonnaise, mustard, sauces, and ketchup.

[Last updated 03 March 2004]
[Publication Date 28 July 2003]


Director of Communications appointed at EFSA

Anne-Laure Gassin has just been appointed as Director of Communications at the European Food Safety Authority, and will take up her position in October. Her appointment follows an EU-wide recruitment process. She will have the responsibility for ensuring that EFSA communicates in the most effective way possible.

[Last updated 18 February 2004]
[Publication Date 18 July 2003]


EFSA Deputy Executive Director appointed

Dr Herman Koëter has been appointed as Deputy Executive Director of the European Food Safety Authority, and will take up his position in October. He has been recruited following an EU-wide recruitment process. As Head of Science, he will have the responsibility for ensuring that the scientific resources at EFSA’s disposal are used in the best way possible.

[Last updated 18 February 2004]
[Publication Date 14 July 2003]


EFSA issues GMO opinion

European Food Safety Authority (EFSA) scientists have concluded that there is no new scientific evidence, in a recently submitted report, to justify the banning of certain GMOs in Upper Austria. EFSA was asked to look at the health and environment issues within its remit, but not at other issues such as information relating to the management of coexistence.

[Last updated 18 February 2004]
[Publication Date 10 July 2003]


Chair of EFSA Scientific Committee appointed

The Management Board of the European Food Safety Authority (EFSA) met today for the first time after the set up of the Scientific Committee and panels which give the Authority its core capability. The panels’ inaugural meetings took place between 21-27th May. At this important time in the development of EFSA, the Board decided to put priority setting and openness at the top of the agenda.

[Last updated 18 February 2004]
[Publication Date 01 July 2003]


Priorities and openness at EFSA

The Management Board of the European Food Safety Authority (EFSA) met today for the first time after the set up of the Scientific Committee and panels which give the Authority its core capability. The panels’ inaugural meetings took place between 21-27th May. At this important time in the development of EFSA, the Board decided to put priority setting and openness at the top of the agenda.

[Last updated 18 February 2004]
[Publication Date 18 June 2003]


EFSA now open for business

Following a worldwide call and a rigorous evaluation process, the European Food Safety Authority’s Scientific Committee and panels have been appointed. These have taken over the responsibility for the scientific assessment of food safety issues from the European Commission at the time of their first meetings between 21-27th May.

[Last updated 18 February 2004]
[Publication Date 27 May 2003]


Green light for appointment of EFSA scientists

After a thorough discussion on the 29 April, the European Food Safety Authority’s (EFSA) Management Board agreed a proposal from the EFSA Executive Director Geoffrey Podger, nominating a number of scientific experts to make up the Authority’s Scientific Committee and Panels. This paves the way for the core work of the Authority to begin. If the chosen scientists accept their nomination, they will be invited to an inaugural meeting on either 21, 22, 26 or 27 May to get the scientific work of EFSA under way immediately.

[Last updated 18 February 2004]
[Publication Date 30 April 2003]


Wanted - EFSA Number 2

The European Food Safety Authority published an EU-wide call today to identify and recruit its second in command. The position holder will have the title of Deputy Executive Director – Head of Science and will be placed right at the centre of the EU food safety scientific world. He/she will be responsible for supporting the Executive Director, Geoffrey Podger, in building the scientific reputation of the Authority and for the quality and timeliness of its technical output.

[Last updated 18 February 2004]
[Publication Date 10 April 2003]


More action at EFSA

The Management Board of the European Food Safety Authority received the first presentation from its Executive Director, Geoffrey Podger, at their meeting today, and reviewed the latest developments in the set up of the Authority. In addition to the presentation on the way forward for EFSA in 2003, the latest information on the recruitment of scientists, the budget, the permanent location and the set up of its Advisory Forum was presented and discussed.

[Last updated 18 February 2004]
[Publication Date 20 March 2003]


EFSA gets into flavourings

The Executive Director of the European Food Safety Authority, Geoffrey Podger, has given the green light to a landmark contract in the Authority’s scientific development. As part of an important initiative aimed at making EU food safer; from July 2005 at the latest, only food flavourings which form part of a positive list will be allowed. The new contract will enable EFSA to finalise the scientific work necessary to complete the list by evaluating up to 800 flavouring substances between 2003 and 2005. Thus, it will finally be possible to put into force an important piece of European food safety legislation.

[Last updated 18 February 2004]
[Publication Date 18 March 2003]


Increased cooperation in food safety assessment

The Executive Director of the European Food Safety Authority, Geoffrey Podger, opened the first meeting of its Advisory Forum today. This body is a vital component of food safety assessment in Europe, as it will sit right at the heart of the extensive food safety network that is being set up at the present time. This network will have direct links to food authorities, decision makers and the best expertise in each of the EU Member States. The Advisory Forum will therefore play a leading role in making the input to EU food safety decision making much more coherent.

[Last updated 18 February 2004]
[Publication Date 06 March 2003]


EFSA Management Board looks at key issues

Further progress has been made on the development of the European Food Safety Authority, following the latest meeting of its Management Board yesterday. The main issues discussed were the permanent location for the Authority; the budget; the selection of experts to provide the scientific opinions of the Authority; the rules for operation of its Advisory Forum, and; prevention of fraud and corruption.

[Last updated 18 February 2004]
[Publication Date 21 January 2003]
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