uncertainty
Scientific concept used in risk assessment to describe all types of limitations in available knowledge at the time an assessment is conducted, with the agreed resources, that affect the probability of possible outcomes to the assessment
In food safety, uncertainty refers to the degree of doubt or lack of complete knowledge about a hazard, exposure, or risk. It can come from limited data, variations in how people eat, differences between animals and humans in studies, or gaps in scientific understanding.
EFSA takes uncertainty into account when assessing risks. It identifies and evaluates sources of uncertainty, uses conservative assumptions when needed, and communicates the level of confidence in its scientific opinions. By doing this, EFSA helps policymakers make informed decisions while protecting public health, even when complete information is not available.