EFSA needs for scientific excellence and regulatory readiness

IF 3.8 3区农林科学 Q2 FOOD SCIENCE & TECHNOLOGY

EFSA Journal Pub Date : 2026-09-29 DOI:10.2903/j.efsa.2026.e240901

European Food Safety Authority (EFSA), Stef Bronzwaer, Fabrizio Abbinante, Maria Bastaki, Bernard Bottex, Maya Carvalho-Evans, Paul Devalier, Ernesto Liebana, Joana S. Lourenco, Angelo Maggiore, Estefania Noriega Fernandez, Didier Verloo, Carlos G. das Neves

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引用次数: 0

Abstract

Background

The European Food Safety Authority (EFSA) must keep pace with food system innovation, policy change and systemic pressures, while maintaining robust, faster risk assessment. This paper identifies the scientific needs for EFSA to sustain excellence, and remain regulatorily prepared.

Methods

Building on EFSA strategic documents, scientific roadmaps, EU policy developments and lessons from the 2022 ONE Conference, current achievements and unmet needs were synthesised across six interdependent pathways: innovation and competitiveness; methodological and technical advances; sustainability and One Health; preparedness and rapid response; risk communication and social science; and artificial intelligence and data.

Results

Priorities for Europe include fit-for-purpose methods for novel products, advanced materials, emerging evidence streams and multiple-hazard scenarios; greater investment in new approach methodologies, quantitative adverse outcome pathways, omics, exposure science and probabilistic assessment; and structured One Health cooperation on sustainability, surveillance, antimicrobial resistance and climate-related risks. Preparedness can become anticipatory with the support of AI-enabled foresight, predictive modelling and coordinated governance. Social science can inform assessment and communication earlier, using innovation in audience-centred and iteratively tested approaches, supported by AI-enabled segmentation, social listening, consumer-behaviour data, virtual respondents and closer Member State partnerships to deliver timely, tailored and trustworthy communication. Ultimately, a human-led, AI-enabled operating model is essential for transparent, reusable, consistent and trusted regulatory science across Europe.

Conclusion

Scientific excellence and regulatory readiness will depend on sustained R&I in methods, data infrastructure, specialist expertise, capacity building, partnerships and research engagement. Integrating these capabilities will enable faster, more consistent and anticipatory scientific advice while preserving scientific rigour, transparency and public trust across an increasingly complex European food safety system.

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欧洲食品安全局需要卓越的科学和监管准备。

背景：欧洲食品安全局（EFSA）必须跟上食品系统创新、政策变化和系统性压力的步伐，同时保持稳健、快速的风险评估。本文确定了EFSA保持卓越的科学需求，并保持监管准备。方法：以欧洲食品安全局战略文件、科学路线图、欧盟政策发展和2022年ONE会议的经验教训为基础，通过六个相互依存的途径综合了当前的成就和未满足的需求：创新和竞争力；方法和技术进步；可持续性和同一个健康；备灾和快速反应；风险沟通与社会科学；还有人工智能和数据。结果：欧洲的优先事项包括适用于新产品、先进材料、新兴证据流和多危害情景的方法；加大对新方法方法、定量不良后果途径、组学、暴露科学和概率评估的投资；并就可持续性、监测、抗微生物药物耐药性和气候相关风险组织了“一个健康”合作。在人工智能支持的远见、预测建模和协调治理的支持下，准备工作可以成为预见性的。社会科学可以更早地为评估和沟通提供信息，利用以受众为中心和反复测试的方法的创新，在支持人工智能的细分、社交倾听、消费者行为数据、虚拟受访者和更紧密的会员国伙伴关系的支持下，提供及时、量身定制和值得信赖的沟通。最终，人类主导、人工智能支持的运营模式对于整个欧洲透明、可重复使用、一致和可信的监管科学至关重要。结论：科学卓越性和监管准备将取决于方法、数据基础设施、专业知识、能力建设、伙伴关系和研究参与方面的持续研发。整合这些能力将实现更快、更一致和更有预见性的科学建议，同时在日益复杂的欧洲食品安全体系中保持科学严谨性、透明度和公众信任。

本文章由计算机程序翻译，如有差异，请以英文原文为准。

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来源期刊

EFSA Journal Veterinary-Veterinary (miscellaneous)

CiteScore

5.20

自引率

21.20%

发文量

422

审稿时长

5 weeks

期刊介绍： The EFSA Journal covers methods of risk assessment, reports on data collected, and risk assessments in the individual areas of plant health, plant protection products and their residues, genetically modified organisms, additives and products or substances used in animal feed, animal health and welfare, biological hazards including BSE/TSE, contaminants in the food chain, food contact materials, enzymes, flavourings and processing aids, food additives and nutrient sources added to food, dietetic products, nutrition and allergies.