Data standardisation
Food classification standardisation
The collection of accurate, comparable data is a prerequisite for informed risk assessment A specialised field of applied science that involves reviewing scientific data and studies in order to evaluate risks associated with certain hazards. It involves four steps: hazard identification, hazard characterisation, exposure assessment and risk characterisation and risk management The management of risks which have been identified by risk assessment. It includes the planning, implementation and evaluation of any resulting actions taken to protect consumers, animals and the environment. EFSA has put in place a number of technical procedures and systems to ensure that as far as possible the data it receives is standardised.
The Standard Sample Description (SSD2) data model is a format for describing food and feed samples and analytical results that is used by EFSA’s data providers. It specifies the data elements and data structure of samples for chemical contaminants and residues as well as microbiological contaminants, zoonotic A term given to diseases and infections that can be transmitted between animals and humans agents and antimicrobial resistance The ability of microorganisms (such as bacteria, viruses, fungi) to survive exposure to antimicrobials. This phenomenon, driven largely by the overuse and misuse of antimicrobial agents (e.g. antibiotics, fungicides used as plant protection agents, etc), makes infections harder to treat and poses a significant threat to public health. data in food, feed, animals, environmental samples and food contact materials.
SSD2 is complemented by FoodEx2, a standardised system for classifying and describing food.
The FoodEx2 system
FoodEx2 consists of descriptions of many individual food items aggregated into food groups and broader food categories in a hierarchical parent-child relationship.
Central to the system is a core list of food items or generic food descriptions that represent the minimum level of detail needed for intake The amount of a substance (e.g. nutrient or chemical) that is ingested by a person or animal via the diet or exposure assessments. More detailed terms can be found on the “extended list”. A parent-child relationship exists between a core list food item and its related extended list food items. The terms of the core and extended list may be aggregated in different ways according to the needs of the different food safety domains.
The current version has nine hierarchies: six domain-specific, two accommodating the function of certain exposure tools and a service hierarchy for the management of the terminology. Facets are used to add further detail to the information provided by the food list term. Facets are collections of additional terms describing properties and aspects of foods from various perspectives.
Structure of FoodEx2
EFSA collaborates in the use of FoodEx2 with several institutions, including the Food and Agriculture Organisation (FAO) of the United Nations and the Friedman School of Nutrition Science and Policy at Tufts University.
Documents and tools
Documents
- The food classification and description system FoodEx2 (revision 2)
- FoodEx2 maintenance 2025
- FoodEx2 maintenance 2024
- FoodEx2 maintenance 2023
- FoodEx2 maintenance 2022
- FoodEx2 maintenance 2021
- FoodEx2 maintenance 2020
- FoodEx2 maintenance 2019
- FoodEx2 maintenance 2016‐2018
- FoodEx2 maintenance 2015
- Training on FoodEx2
Tools and guides