endocrine active substance

An “endocrine active substance” is a chemical that can interact with the hormone system in the body, which controls functions such as growth, metabolism, and reproduction. These substances can mimic, block, or otherwise alter the activity of hormones. They can be found in food, food packaging, pesticides, or the environment. A substance being active on the endocrine system does not automatically mean a substance is harmful; whether it poses a risk depends on the strength of its effect and the level of exposure.

EFSA uses this concept when evaluating food safety risks, because substances that affect the hormone system can have important implications for human health, particularly during development. EFSA identifies chemicals in food or feed that may interact with hormones, assesses how they act, how much people are exposed to them, and what health effects they could cause. This approach helps protect the population, especially vulnerable groups such as children, from potential hormone-disrupting chemicals in food.