Biological Hazards
The Panel on Biological Hazards (BIOHAZ) provides scientific advice on biological hazards in relation to food and feed safety and food-borne diseases.
BIOHAZ Panel Members are scientists from across Europe with expertise in:
- Food microbiology and parasitology
- Food borne zoonoses (e.g. salmonellosis, campylobacteriosis)
- Food hygiene
- Qualitative and quantitative microbiological risk assessment
- Antimicrobial resistance
- Processing of animal by-products
- Antimicrobial treatments to remove microbiological contamination from products of animal origin
Panel Members
Plenary meetings
Networks
What are EFSA's networks?
EFSA’s networks consist of nationally appointed EU Member State organisations with expertise in the fields covered by the network. Representatives of the Commission and of other organisations (including those from outside the EU) with specific expertise may also be invited to participate in the work of EFSA Networks.
Networks are chaired by EFSA and supported by relevant EFSA units. Their aim is to facilitate scientific cooperation in the field of EFSA’s mission by:
- coordinating activities,
- exchanging information,
- developing and implementing joint projects,
- and exchanging expertise and best practices.
- Decision concerning the establishment and operation of European Networks of scientific organisations operating in the fields within the Authority’s mission(35.46 KB)
Microbiological risk assessment
Established to strengthen the scientific cooperation on microbiological risk assessment, anticipate and reduce the duplication of activities and hence avoid divergence of opinion.
- Terms of reference last updated: 15 April 2025
- List of members last updated: 16 January 2026
Working groups
AMR MON Tech Specs update
BIOHAZ WG on applications for alternative methods of use or disposal of animal by-products or derived products
Carbapenemase in Enterobacterales (CPEs)
Joint Interagency Antimicrobial Consumption and Resistance Analysis (JIACRA)
WG on the update of the list of QPS recommended biological agents intentionally added to food or feed as notified to EFSA (2020-22)
Working Group on Fresh Produce Packaging
Closed working groups
Information on working groups that have been inactive for more than 10 years can be requested by contacting us here.
Alternative method ECN tunnel composting (Q-2019-00583)
Alternative method for production of biodiesel from processed fats derived from category 1, 2 and 3 animal by products (EFSA-Q-2019-00432)
AMR and GP feed residues (EFSA-Q-2019-00221)
AMR Milk Feed calves (EFSA-Q-2015-00611)
Application for new alternative biodiesel process for rendered fat of Cat 1 (EFSA-Q-2017-00136)
Atypical Scrapie Surveillance (EFSA-Q-2020-00662)
Australian microbiological monitoring programme (EFSA-Q-2023-00058)
BS AMR aquaculture
BSE - Croatia
BSE cases born after the total feed ban (EFSA-Q-2016-00350)
Chronic Wasting Disease - CWD - (EFSA-Q-2016-00387; EFSA-Q-2016-00411)
Date Marking (EFSA-Q-2019-00438-439)
Delayed meat inspection (EFSA-Q-2019-00124)
Dyes in aquaculture
Available soon
Epidemiological indicators for meat inspection of small ruminants: Subgroup on Mycobacteria
European baseline survey of norovirus in oysters
Available soon
European Union Summary Report on TSE
Evaluation of processing method for ABP Cat. 3 (EFSA-Q-2017-00619)
Genetic resistance to TSEs in goats (EFSA-Q-2016-00268)
Growth of spoilage bacteria during storage and transport of meat (EFSA-Q-2015-00163)
Available soon