Risk Assessment Vs Risk Management: What's The Difference?
Risk Assessor
EFSA is the risk assessor, evaluating risks associated with the food chain. EFSA doesn’t have scientific laboratories, nor does it generate new scientific research. It collects and analyses existing research and data and provides scientific advice to support decision-making by risk managers.
Risk Manager
Risk managers are the European Commission, Member State authorities and the European Parliament. They are responsible for making decisions or setting legislation about food safety.
The re-evaluation of food additives in practice
Risk manager
According to EU legislation, all food additives approved before 2009 must be re-evaluated by 2020.
Risk managers prioritise which food additives should be re-evaluated first.
EFSA
EFSA carries out a thorough risk assessment of each food additive.
This includes an assessment of consumer exposure to additives through the diet.
Risk manager
Based on EFSA’s advice, risk managers may grant market authorisation, remove substances from the EU list of approved additives or revise maximum levels authorised in foods.
For example, risk managers have removed one food colour from the market and reduced maximum levels for a further three additives.
Other examples
| Risk assessment | Risk management |
|---|---|
| EFSA carries out risk assessment on safety of certain neonicotinoids for bees | Risk managers suspend use of certain neonicotinoids in EU |
| EFSA evaluates safety of every GMO on a case-by-case basis | Risk managers decide whether or not to authorise each GMO |
| EFSA collects and analyses data from Member States on prevalence of Salmonella in poultry holdings and assesses risk for human health | Risk managers set reduction targets for Salmonella in laying hens in the EU |
Risk assessment is providing scientific advice on food-related risks to support decision-making.
Risk assessment is NOT about:
- Policy making on food safety
- Setting or enforcing legislation
- Product approvals and authorisations, recalls and withdrawals
- Food labelling
- Food quality
- Trade issues, import/export controls, traceability
- Investigation of food fraud
EFSA is the keystone of EU risk assessment regarding food and feed safety. In close collaboration with national authorities and in open consultation with its stakeholders, EFSA provides independent scientific advice and clear communication on existing and emerging risks.