Workshop on derivation of conversion factors for new sources or forms of nutrients

An online workshop on the scientific principles and data requirements for deriving a conversion factor (CF) for proposed new sources or forms of nutrients, held on the on 9th March 2023, was organised by EFSA's Nutrition and Food Innovation (NIF) Unit. The purpose of the workshop was to share and exchange views on the scientific principles and data requirements for deriving CF for proposed new sources or forms of nutrients. The workshop addressed the following themes: 1) selection of reference nutrient source, 2) requirements for nutrient metabolites to be considered as nutrient sources, 3) human studies to estimate relative bioavailability and derive a CF, 4) conditions under which chemical data or data from in vitro studies could be considered sufficient to estimate relative bioavailability and derive a CF, 5) implications of the CF for Dietary Reference Values (DRVs) for nutrient adequacy and the Tolerable Upper Intake Level of the nutrient. Around 25 experts with experience in committees in charge of establishing DRVs and expertise in nutrition, epidemiology, toxicology, and food safety assessment participated to the workshop discussions. The report collects the views of the participants and possible orientations that will be considered by the Panel on Nutrition, Novel Foods and Food allergens (NDA) in revising the guidance document on safety evaluation of sources of nutrients and bioavailability of nutrient from the sources.