Following Codex recommendations for risk-based allergen Precautionary Allergen Labeling (PAL) and thresholds, the European Commission has posted a forthcoming draft act to its public feedback portal on harmonized requirements for the use of voluntary PAL statements.
Arachidonic acid oil (AHA oil) from a Chinese supplier was identified as the source of cereulide toxin contamination in infant formula produced by Nestlé and other well-known
brands. Imports of Chinese AHA oil are now subject to stricter EU border checks.
With the goal of supporting stronger risk assessments to address emerging food chemical risks, the European Food Safety Authority (EFSA) reviewed existing data sources; data gaps and challenges; and recommendations for improving data availability, quality, and interoperability.
The first set of results focuses on acrylamide and certain toxic heavy metals. Although the levels of some contaminants in food are decreasing overall, the population's exposure still remains concerningly high.
The three-year partnership will focus on driving food safety, sustainability, and resiliency, aligned with One Health principles, by leveraging advanced technological tools and science.
Amid the ongoing global infant formula recall due to possible cereulide contamination, some countries have reported cases of mostly mild gastrointestinal illness in infants who had consumed infant formula, but confirming cereulide exposure is a challenge.
A high proportion of Campylobacter and Salmonella from food-producing animals across Europe are resistant to antimicrobials that are important to human medicine. Escherichia coli resistance to last-resort carbapenems is growing.
EFSA conducted a safety reevaluation for the sweetener sucralose, resulting in no change to the acceptable daily intake (ADI). EFSA also considered a proposed extension for the use of sucralose in fine bakery wares, but was unable to determine its safety.
The paper reviews international frameworks and national and regional regulations. FAO recommends priority actions for national and regional authorities.
EFSA established a provisional safe intake level for adults for CBD as a novel food while highlighting that data gaps continue to exist regarding possible effects of CBD on the liver and the endocrine, nervous, and reproductive systems.
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