adverse outcome pathway
A method of visualising a chain of events linked by causality that may lead to a harmful outcome for organisms or the environment
Adverse Outcome Pathways (AOPs) are step-by-step descriptions of how a chemical or biological agent can cause harm in the body, starting from a molecular interaction and leading to a final adverse health effect. They help scientists understand the chain of events that connects exposure to a substance with a specific toxic outcome.
EFSA uses AOPs in food safety risk assessment to better predict the potential health effects of chemicals, contaminants, or additives. By mapping these pathways, EFSA can identify critical points for testing, reduce uncertainty in toxicity assessments, and support more targeted, efficient, and ethical safety evaluations.