statistical significance
Description:
A measure of the likelihood that a result occurred based on statistics
Context:
Statistical significance is a way of showing that a result or difference observed in a study is unlikely to have happened just by chance. In food safety, it helps scientists determine whether an observed effect—like a contaminant causing a health effect or a treatment reducing bacteria—is real and meaningful.
EFSA uses statistical significance to interpret data from experiments, surveys, and monitoring studies. By identifying which results are statistically significant, EFSA can make more confident conclusions about risks, exposure levels, or the effectiveness of safety measures, which then informs regulatory decisions and guidance for protecting public health.