EFSA Focal Points: a decade of networking for European food safety

For the past 10 years EFSA's Focal Points have been acting as ambassadors in EU Member States and operating as a network of cross-border collaboration on food safety. To mark the occasion, a new interactive timeline highlights the key achievements of the network.

Established in 2008, the Focal Point network comprises members from all 28 EU Member States, Iceland and Norway, as well as observers from Switzerland and pre-accession countries. It promotes information exchange, networking and engagement, and also plays an important role in building EU risk assessment  A specialised field of applied science that involves reviewing scientific data and studies in order to evaluate risks associated with certain hazards. It involves four steps: hazard identification, hazard characterisation, exposure assessment and risk characterisation. capacity and increasing the visibility and outreach of the scientific work carried out by EFSA and Member States.

Constructive cooperation

Coralie Bultel from the national Focal Point at the French Agency for Food, Environmental and Occupational Health & Safety (ANSES) said: “At a time when cooperation is more necessary than ever, the Focal Points are working to put the word ‘collaboration’ into practice at the European level – on a daily basis, and always in a constructive atmosphere.”

Gisle Solstad, who represents the Focal Point at the Norwegian Scientific Committee for Food and Environment (VKM), added: “Working as a Focal Point representative provides a rewarding and positive opportunity for a multidimensional and multicultural approach to strategic work and capacity building, with the aim of enhancing food safety for consumers across Europe.”

Key achievements

To mark the 10-year anniversary, a new interactive timeline highlights the milestones and key achievements of the Focal Point network.