FDA, EFSA Sign Food Safety Agreement

FDA and the European Food Safety Authority (EFSA) signed an agreement regarding food safety risk assessment, marking the first formal step in cooperation between the two agencies.

The agreement is designed to facilitate the sharing of confidential scientific information between FDA and EFSA, including methodologies used to ensure food safety. Such an agreement also ensures protection of confidential information under the legal frameworks in the United States and European Union.

"We need to work with the best scientific minds from across the world and extend scientific cooperation to assess food safety risks and protect consumers even more, says Catherine Geslain-Lanéelle, executive director, EFSA. Sharing data and knowledge across our two organizations is an important first step in achieving this goal."

Dr. Andrew C. von Eschenbach, FDA commissioner, says: "I welcome this opportunity for scientific exchanges with our European colleagues exchanges that will be focused on ensuring the safety and wholesomeness of food, a major area of responsibility of our agency."