1. Handling the risk of chemicals in food and feed
TOWARDS A NON-TOXIC FUTURE
Handling the risk of chemicals in food and feed
Guilhem de Seze
24 November 2016
Danish Minister for Environment and Food

2. EFSA: Trusted science for safe food Risk Assessment Going Granular…
Outline
EFSA: Trusted science for safe food
Risk Assessment Going Granular…
…with the Big Picture in mind…
…and Closing the Loop
Being heard
Conclusion 2

3. 450 staff 1500 experts 400 scientific outputs 500 /year
Research &
University Institutes
scientific outputs
500 /year
35 pieces of legislation
80 M
© Studio Valle Progettazioni, Studio Valle Progettazioni, Art & Build, Manens -Tifs, Pool Engineering, Art Ambiente Risorse e Territorio

4. Trusted science for safe food
The role of EFSA
Trusted science for safe food

5. EFSA’s Panels Plant Health Animal health and welfare Biological
hazards
Chemical
contaminants
Nutrition
Plant
Protection
Genetically modified
organisms
Animal feed
Food
additives
packaging

6. EFSA’s Panels involved with chemicals
Plant Health
Animal health
and welfare
Biological
hazards
Chemical
contaminants
Nutrition
Plant
Protection
Genetically modified
organisms
Animal feed
Food
additives
packaging

7. Going Granular-refining Assessment
Deriving specific environmental protection goals (EFSA Scientific Committee Opinion, 2015)
E.g. considering sub-lethal effects, local environmental conditions
Landscape based pesticides risk assessment (EFSA, 2016)
Sensitive target groups
Infant and toddlers
Endangered species (EFSA Scientific Committee Opinion, 2015 , central traits database )
Big data
Geographic Information Systems
EFSA’s Comprehensive European Food Consumption Database

8. The BIG PICTURE Multi-chemicals exposure Multiple sources of exposure
Pesticides cumulative risk assessment
Pesticides co-formulants
Non Intentionally Added Substances
Multiple sources of exposure
Total/Internal Dose: food additive + FCM+ food contaminant+ cosmetics/toiletry + work exposure +…
Non EU regulated FCM
Multiple stressors, in addition to hazardous chemicals – “One health”
GMO, invasive species, climate change, parasites… 
Health status of bee colonies

9. Closing the loop
Anticipating environmental and food contaminants (Nano, plastics)
Lack of (regulatory) data
Challenge of recycled materials –circular economy
Pre-market authorization
True for food related chemicals but not for industrial chemicals
Importance of screening and early warning
Post-market monitoring
Mandatory under GMO legislation: environmental effects
Annual report on pesticide residues in food
Substitution
The devil you know and the one you don’t

10. Closing the loop
Anticipating environmental and food contaminants (Nano, plastics)
Challenge of recycled materials –circular economy
Lack of (regulatory) data
Pre-market authorization
True for food related chemicals but not for industrial chemicals
Importance of screening and early warning
Post-market monitoring
Mandatory under GMO legislation: environmental effects
Annual report on pesticide residues in food
Substitution
The devil you know and the one you don’t

11. …Otherwise it is all worthless
Being heard…
…Otherwise it is all worthless
Avoiding to (over)work on lower priority substances because of misguided public pressure
Communication
Between RA /RM actors: Unnecessary/uncontrolled controversies are confusing
Transparency
Publishing data without harming commercial interest and innovation
Engagement
“Hackathon” – App to access EFSA's work and Register of Questions
MixTox public consultation
Power of One – Collaboration between authorities
Data Sharing, risk assessment, tools and guidance development
ECHA-EFSA Guidance on Endocrine Disruptors

12. Conclusion CONCLUSION
More precise and realistic assessments (targets, mechanisms, exposure)
More holistic approach / encompassing assessments
“Value is created outside your walls, inside you only have costs!” Peter Drucker

13. Thank you
Trusted Science for Safe Food