Stakeholder webinar on the draft Food Additive Guidance

Background

Since the publication of the ‘Guidance for submission for food additive evaluations’ (EFSA ANS Panel, 2012), EFSA has gained significant experience in assessing applications supporting the authorisation of a new food additive or modifications of the conditions of use of an already authorised food additive submitted under Regulation (EC) No 1333/2008. 

The assessments performed highlighted the need for this sectoral guidance to be updated, not only to account for EFSA’s increased experience in the evaluation of food additive applications, but also to implement developments in risk assessment methodologies since 2012, and to align the document with relevant horizontal and cross-cutting EFSA guidance.

The update covers different scientific areas pertinent to the risk assessment of food additives, including characterisation, manufacturing process, proposed uses and exposure assessment, toxicological data and information on the safety for the environment.

The aim is for the guidance to remain a practical and up-to-date tool for applicants regarding the data required by EFSA to evaluate the safety of the food additive, and a reference document for risk assessors.

A preliminary draft version of the revised guidance document was finalised by EFSA’s scientific experts and made available for public consultation, with the aim of gathering input and feedback from stakeholders interested in the refinement and finalisation of the guidance.

Objectives of the webinar

Alongside the public consultation on the draft guidance document, EFSA organised a webinar with the following objectives:

• Explaining the content of and main changes implemented in the draft guidance update 
• Illustrating the ongoing public consultation and providing guidance on how stakeholders can provide input 
• Addressing questions and requests for clarification received from stakeholders regarding the draft guidance document

Contact

For further information, do not hesitate to contact the organising committee at webinars [at] efsa.europa.eu (webinars[at]efsa[dot]europa[dot]eu).

Documents

• Presentation - Stakeholder webinar on the Food Additive Guidance Update
• Draft guidance document available for public consultation on EFSA’s Connect platform