Annual report of the Emerging Risks Exchange Network 2014

EFSA established an Emerging Risks Exchange Network (EREN) to exchange information between EFSA and the MSs on possible emerging risks for food and feed safety in 2010. The Network is currently composed of delegates from 21 Member States and an EFTA country (Norway) designated through the Advisory Forum of EFSA and observers from the European Commission, EU pre-accession countries, the Food and Drug Administration of the USA (FDA) and the Food and Agricultural Organisation of the United Nations (FAO). The Network met twice in 2014. The Network discussed a total of 10 signals of potential emerging issues that were presented and assessed. Among the 10 issues discussed 9 originated from Member States. The issues discussed were from the areas of chemical hazards, illegal activities, microbiological hazards, biotoxins, animal health, new consumption trends and new technologies and processes. EREN concluded that 4 issues were to be considered as emerging issues. Recommendations for follow up actions were provided, such as (i) EFSA should monitor the issue, (ii) generation of data is needed, (iii) EFSA should consult other bodies such as European sister agencies, the Stakeholder Consultative Group on Emerging Risk (StaCG-ER) or the recently established Food Fraud Network of DG SANTE.