Laura Martino

EFSA European Food Safety Authority | EFSA · RASA

Following two requests from the European Commission (EC), the EFSA Panel on Nutrition, Novel Foods and Food Allergens (NDA) was asked to deliver a scientific opinion on the revision of the tolerable upper intake level (UL) for vitamin D and to propose a conversion factor (CF) for calcidiol monohydrate into vitamin D3 for labelling purposes. Vitamin...

This report summarises the main discussions, conclusions and recommendations of the ‘One Society’ track of the ‘ONE – Health, Environment & Society – Conference 2022’ (21st–24th June 2002; Brussels and online), which was organised by the European Food Safety Authority. The four themes in the One Society track focused on risk communication, social s...

Development of adverse outcome pathways (AOPs) for uterine adenocarcinoma can provide a practical tool to implement the EFSA-ECHA Guidance (2018) for the identification of endocrine disruptors in the context of Regulations (EU) No 528/2012 and (EC) No 1107/2009. AOPs can give indications about the strength of the relationship between an adverse out...

Risk assessors, risk managers and risk communicators were involved in an experiential game-based social learning workshop. Games mimicked situations in which risk analysis experts and risk stakeholders are in a circumstance of uncertainty, in their private or professional life. This exploratory study investigates the potential effectiveness of game...

Background On 21–24 June 2022, the European Food Safety Authority, together with the European Centre for Disease Prevention and Control, the European Chemicals Agency, the European Environment Agency, the European Medicines Agency, and the Joint Research Centre of the European Commission, held the “ONE – Health, Environment & Society – Conference 2...

Following a request from five European Nordic countries, the EFSA Panel on Nutrition, Novel Foods and Food Allergens (NDA) was tasked to provide scientific advice on a tolerable upper intake level (UL) or a safe level of intake for dietary (total/added/free) sugars based on available data on chronic metabolic diseases, pregnancy-related endpoints a...

Abstract Acetamiprid is a pesticide active substance with insecticidal action currently under the third renewal (AIR3) of the Commission implementing regulation (EU) No 844/2012. Following concerns that this substance may pose high risks to humans and the environment, the French authorities asked the Commission to restrict its uses under Article 69...

Flupyradifurone is a novel butenolide insecticide,first approved as an active substance for use in plant protection products by Commission Implementing Regulation (EU) 2015/2084. Following concerns that this substance may pose high risks to humans and the environment, the French authorities, in November 2020, asked the Commission to restrict its us...

Abstract Vitamins and essential minerals are micronutrients that are essential for the normal functioning of the human body. However, they may lead to adverse health effects if consumed in excess. The concept of a tolerable upper intake level (UL) is a science‐based reference value, which was introduced to support policy‐makers and other relevant a...

The present paper describes the methodology used during a game-based social learning physical workshop and provides insights into whether this approach could contribute to developmental challenges related to uncertainty among stakeholders involved in risk analysis.The workshop was attended by 22 participants. It lasted three and a half hours. Games...

During 2014‐2018, EFSA defined a series of principles for the scientific assessment process (impartiality, methodological rigour, transparency and engagement) and developed a 4‐stepapproach (plan/do/verify/report)to facilitate their fulfilment. According to the approach, the methods for the scientific assessmentmust be planned upfront in aprotocol...

Abstract Following a request from the European Commission, the EFSA Panel on Nutrition, Novel Foods and Food Allergens (NDA) derived dietary reference values (DRVs) for sodium. Evidence from balance studies on sodium and on the relationship between sodium intake and health outcomes, in particular cardiovascular disease (CVD)‐related endpoints and b...

Consensus Study Report on Harmonization of approaches to nutrient reference values: applications to young children and women of reproductive age. The report provides a framework for how stakeholders can, within the context of a country or a region's needs and abilities, generate a uniform approach for establishing nutrient intake recommendations th...

Following a request from the European Commission, the Panel on Dietetic Products, Nutrition and Allergies (NDA) was asked to revise the tolerable upper intake level (UL) for vitamin D for infants (≤ 1 year) set in 2012. From its literature review, the Panel concluded that the available evidence on daily vitamin D intake and the risk of adverse heal...

Abstract This guidance document is intended to assist the applicant in the preparation and the presentation of an application, as foreseen in Article 7.6 of Regulation (EC) No 1831/2003, for the authorisation of additives for use in animal nutrition. It specifically covers the assessment of the efficacy of feed additives. Draft Endorsed by the FEED...

In 2014, the European Food Safety Authority (EFSA) started the PROMETHEUS (PROmoting METHods for Evidence Use in Scientific assessments) project to improve further and increase the consistency of the methods it uses in its scientific assessments. The project defined a set of principles for the scientific assessment process and a 4‐step approach (pl...

Uncertainty analysis is the process of identifying limitations in scientific knowledge and evaluating their implications for scientific conclusions. It is therefore relevant in all EFSA's scientific assessments and also necessary, to ensure that the assessment conclusions provide reliable information for decision-making. The form and extent of unce...

Abstract To meet the general requirement for transparency in EFSA's work, all its scientific assessments must consider uncertainty. Assessments must say clearly and unambiguously what sources of uncertainty have been identified and what is their impact on the assessment conclusion. This applies to all EFSA's areas, all types of scientific assessmen...

Abstract Previous introductions of highly pathogenic avian influenza virus (HPAIV) to the EU were most likely via migratory wild birds. A mathematical model has been developed which indicated that virus amplification and spread may take place when wild bird populations of sufficient size within EU become infected. Low pathogenic avian influenza vir...

Draft Endorsed by the FEEDAP Panel 22 March 2017 Submitted for public consultation 6 April 2017 End of public consultation 31 May 2017 Adoption by the FEEDAP Panel 26 September 2017 Entry into force 1 May 2018 Abstract This guidance document is intended to assist the applicant in the preparation and the presentation of an application, as foreseen i...

Background: The European Commission tasked EFSA to update the previous DRVs for vitamin D except tolerable upper intake levels. DRVs are science-based reference values for nutrient intake for healthy people. AIM:To review the scientific evidence on the relationships between serum 25(OH)D and relevant health outcomes and between vitamin D intake and...

EFSA requested the Scientific Committee to develop a guidance document on the use of the weight of evidence approach in scientific assessments for use in all areas under EFSA's remit. The guidance document addresses the use of weight of evidence approaches in scientific assessments using both qualitative and quantitative approaches. Several case st...

A new fungus, Batrachochytrium salamandrivorans (Bsal), was identified in wild populations of salamanders in The Netherlands, Belgium and in kept populations in Germany and UK. EFSA assessed the potential of Bsal to affect the health of wild and kept salamanders in the EU, the effectiveness and feasibility of a movement ban of traded salamanders, t...

The Egg Pooling Module (EPM) was developed to complement Modified Australian Eggs Storage Model (MAESM) (Thomas et al., 2006) in order to assess the impact of the use of a S. Enteritidis contaminated egg for products made of pools of eggs, both in the household and in catering/other food service settings. The module considers the steps of storage a...

This paper discusses the epidemiological evidence linking obesity to physical activity. The underlying plausible hypothesis is that the feedback from energy expenditure to appetite may be weak at low levels of physical activity and that sedentary lifestyles therefore favour positive energy balance and weight gain. Obesity is widespread in developed...

Si individua la migliore allocazione degli input di produzione ad un insieme di output multipli.