structural alert
Parts of organic molecules which are believed to be responsible for adverse effects (e.g. genotoxicity) and can be used to predict the toxicity of similar compounds
In food safety, a structural alert is a specific chemical feature or part of a molecule that is known or suspected to cause harmful effects, such as toxicity, mutagenicity, or other adverse health outcomes. It acts like a warning sign that a substance could be hazardous.
EFSA uses structural alerts to screen and assess chemicals in food, feed, or additives. By identifying these features, EFSA can prioritize substances for further testing, predict potential toxic effects, and support risk assessments. This helps ensure that only safe substances are allowed in the food chain and that possible hazards are managed proactively.