Technical stakeholder event: re-evaluation of authorised food additives - focus on sweeteners

Background

As part of the ongoing re-evaluation of authorised food additives, under Regulation (EC) No 257/2010, EFSA is currently focussing on the safety assessment of sweeteners.

The Panel on Food Additives and Flavourings (FAF) has developed two draft protocols detailing the approach and the methodology that will be followed for performing all the risk assessment steps, from hazard identification and characterisation to exposure assessment for its coming re-evaluation of sweeteners.

A first public consultation on the protocol for hazard identification and characterisation closed on 19 September 2019. A second one on the methodology applicable to exposure assessment was launched on 9 October 2019. EFSA has invited the scientific community, stakeholders and other interested parties to provide feedback via the online submission tool on EFSA’s website by 22 November 2019.

Given the complex nature of the subsequent evaluations and the potentially high public interest in this area of work, EFSA is holding a public scientific meeting to engage in discussion with all the stakeholders and other relevant parties. The event provides an opportunity to complement the two consultations and gather additional feedback on the protocols prior to their implementation. The event takes place in Paris on 3 December 2019.

Structure of the meeting

EFSA scientists and external experts will present the approaches developed in the two protocols, the main feedback received during the public consultation phase and how this could be further developed in the protocols. These will be followed by a discussion during which attendees will have the opportunity to put questions to the presenters.

An update on the overall status of the re-evaluation of food additives will also be presented.

Who should attend?

The meeting is intended for all interested stakeholders, especially those contributing to the public consultation with expertise in the area of food additives, toxicology, dietary exposure, systematic reviews and/or protocol development. Participation is limited to a maximum of 100 participants. The final selection will aim at a balanced representation of expertise and stakeholders.

Registration

Interested parties can register here. Registration closes on 15 November 2019.

Logistical information

The meeting takes place in Paris, France, on 3 December 2019, from 10:30 until 17:00. Further details on the venue and logistics will be communicated to applicants selected to participate following the closure of registrations. English is the language of the event; no translation will be provided.

There is no participation fee but you will be expected to cover expenses related to your travel and accommodation.

Contact

Do not hesitate to contact Camilla Smeraldi(content matters) at FIP [at] efsa.europa.eu or Francesco Amoretti (organisational matters) at events [at] efsa.europa.eu.