BfR helps develop database for improved risk assessment

13.03.2008

The German Federal Institute for Risk Assessment (BfR) has set up a project to support the development of a European Food Consumption Concise Database, which will draw together data from member states.

The database is being constructed by the European Food Safety Authority (EFSA) to act as a screening tool for preliminary exposure assessments by the EFSA Scientific Panels and European experts. With an overview of consumption trends throughout Europe, EFSA will be more equipped to tackle the diverse needs of the various topical areas it covers.

BfR has set up the 'Support to complete EFSA's Food Consumption Concise Database (SuConDa)', which was commissioned by EFSA to carry work forward on the development of the database.

SuConDa will support EFSA over a one year period (starting last November) to complete the database and harmonise the data. BfR will be supporting those member states that need professional and technical help in the refinement and transfer of their data.

This will be achieved by working with the European Network of Food Consumption Database Managers, each representing a country and in charge of coordinating the collection, formatting and transfer of local national food consumption data to the EFSA.

As part of this process BfR is holding an international workshop 'Food Consumption Data and Dietary Exposure in the European Union' on May 15 and 16 in Berlin. The agenda includes discussion groups on the use of food consumption data and poster presentations which introduce food consumption surveys in European countries.

Background

The EFSA found that food consumption data is available in a majority of European countries but data obtained at national level can not often be compared directly because of the use of different methodologies, various food categorization systems and other reasons.

To overcome this the EFSA initially planned to develop a European food consumption database with 15 broad food categories and 21 subcategories, but it is hoped that this can be made more comprehensive.


BfR said that only when up-to-date and differentiated food consumption data are available can health risks be realistically assessed, risk groups and high risk eating habits identified, and marketing authorisation applications for substances and products correctly evaluated.

Initially the database is intended to contain information on adults and in the future it is hoped to also include children.

Statutory Obligation

Article 33 of the Regulation (EC) 178/2002 of the European Parliament and of the Council states that EFSA "shall search for, collect, analyse and summarise relevant scientific and technical data in the fields within its mission. This shall involve in particular the collection of data relating to food consumption and the exposure of individuals to risks related to the consumption of food".

Likewise, it states that EFSA "shall work in close cooperation with all organisations operating in the field of data collection including those from applicant countries, third countries or international bodies."

This article has been amended as the original implied the BfR was solely responsible for developing the database.

Reference
http://www.foodqualitynews.com/news/ng.asp?n=83960-efsa-bfr-database-safety

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