Work of EFSA

Question 1

what are the 7 ways that the EFSA ensure food safety from field to fork?

Answer 1

-plant protection
-animal health and welfare
-impact on environment
-risk assessments and communication
-transport and storage
-food production and innovation
-food consumption trends

Question 2

how does the EFSA ensure food safety through plant protection?

Answer 2

-they ensure the safe use of pesticides
-evaluate the risks of pests and weeds to plant health
-which helps to maintain the safety of crops

Question 3

how does the EFSA ensure food safety through promoting animal health and welfare?

Answer 3

-most food-borne diseases originate in animals e.g. Campylobacterosis
-the EFSA look at issues like housing, feeding and transportation of livestock
-this helps to prevent the risk of disease in animals which ensure food safety

Question 4

how does the EFSA ensure food safety through assessing the impact of the food chain on the enironment?

Answer 4

-they assess potential risks to the ecosystem of GMO’s and superweeds, pesticides and food additives
-create a balance between food production and environmental sustainability

Question 5

how does the EFSA ensure food safety through risk assessments?

Answer 5

-they assess and communicate all potential risks of the food chain
-conduct scientific assessments to support policy and legislation makers
-ensure legislation is accurate on food additives and pesticides
-ensures they are based on scientific evidence

Question 6

how does the EFSA ensure food safety through transport and storage of food?

Answer 6

-they assess the risks of contamination from animals, food handlers and machinery
-they provide scientific advice on how to limit these risks

Question 7

how does the EFSA ensure food safety through food production and innovation?

Answer 7

-all food and feed products must have a scientific risk assessment performed on them before they are used in the EU
-ingredients like flavourings, colours, enzymes and GMO’s are assessed
-they also investigate health claims of foods to ensure their safety for consumers

Question 8

how does the EFSA ensure food safety through monitoring food consumption trends?

Answer 8

-they provide funding for data collection of consumption trends
-it helps to provide better guidance to consumers and provide more accurate research on nutrition, diet and health