omics
High-powered technologies used for holistic analysis of the molecules that make up the cells of living organisms; for example, Genomics is the study of the entire genome, while Proteomics analyses the complete complement of proteins within a biological sample
In food safety, “omics” refers to a set of scientific approaches that study all the components of a biological system at once. Examples include genomics (all genes), proteomics (all proteins), metabolomics (all small molecules or metabolites), and transcriptomics (all RNA molecules). These approaches help scientists see how foods, contaminants, or chemicals affect the body at a very detailed level.
EFSA uses omics tools to improve food safety assessments. For example, we can study how a chemical or food additive affects genes, proteins, or metabolism, detect early signs of toxicity, or better understand the mechanisms of harm. Integrating omics data with traditional studies helps EFSA make more accurate risk assessments and provide science-based advice to protect consumers.