Transcript towards a non-toxic future

TOWARDS A NONTOXIC FUTURE
Handling the risk of chemicals
in food and feed
Guilhem de Seze
24 November 2016
Danish Minister for Environment and Food
Outline
EFSA: Trusted science for safe food
 Risk Assessment Going Granular…
…with the Big Picture in mind…
 …and Closing the Loop
 Being heard
 Conclusion

2
450
staff
1500
experts
400
Research &
University Institutes
scientific
outputs
500 /year
35 pieces of
legislation
80 M
© Studio Valle Progettazioni, Studio Valle Progettazioni, Art & Build, Manens -Tifs, Pool Engineering, Art Ambiente Risorse e Territorio
THE ROLE OF EFSA
Trusted science for safe food
EFSA’S PANELS
Plant Health
Biological
hazards
Chemical
contaminants
Plant
Protection
Animal health
and welfare
Food
additives
Genetically modified
organisms
Animal feed
Food
packaging
Nutrition
EFSA’S PANELS INVOLVED WITH CHEMICALS
Plant Health
Biological
hazards
Chemical
contaminants
Plant
Protection
Animal health
and welfare
Food
additives
Genetically modified
organisms
Animal feed
Food
packaging
Nutrition
GOING GRANULAR-REFINING ASSESSMENT

Deriving specific environmental protection
goals (EFSA Scientific Committee Opinion, 2015)
E.g. considering sub-lethal effects, local
environmental conditions
 Landscape based pesticides risk assessment

(EFSA, 2016)

Sensitive target groups



Infant and toddlers
Endangered species
(EFSA Scientific Committee
Opinion, 2015 , central traits database )
Big data


Geographic Information Systems
EFSA’s Comprehensive European Food
Consumption Database
7
THE BIG PICTURE

Multi-chemicals exposure




Multiple sources of exposure



Pesticides cumulative risk assessment
Pesticides co-formulants
Non Intentionally Added Substances
Total/Internal Dose: food additive + FCM+ food
contaminant+ cosmetics/toiletry + work exposure +…
Non EU regulated FCM
Multiple stressors, in addition to hazardous
chemicals – “One health”


GMO, invasive species, climate change, parasites…
Health status of bee colonies
8
CLOSING THE LOOP

Anticipating environmental and food contaminants
(Nano, plastics)



Lack of (regulatory) data
Challenge of recycled materials –circular economy
Pre-market authorization
True for food related chemicals but not for industrial
chemicals
 Importance of screening and early warning


Post-market monitoring
Mandatory under GMO legislation: environmental
effects
 Annual report on pesticide residues in food


Substitution

The devil you know and the one you don’t
9
CLOSING THE LOOP

Anticipating environmental and food contaminants
(Nano, plastics)



Challenge of recycled materials –circular economy
Lack of (regulatory) data
Pre-market authorization
True for food related chemicals but not for industrial
chemicals
 Importance of screening and early warning


Post-market monitoring
Mandatory under GMO legislation: environmental
effects
 Annual report on pesticide residues in food


Substitution

The devil you know and the one you don’t
10
BEING HEARD…
…Otherwise it is all worthless

Avoiding to (over)work on lower priority substances
because of misguided public pressure

Communication

Between RA /RM actors: Unnecessary/uncontrolled
controversies are confusing
Transparency
 Publishing data without harming commercial interest
and innovation
 Engagement
 “Hackathon” – App to access EFSA's work and Register
of Questions
 MixTox public consultation


Power of One – Collaboration between authorities


Data Sharing, risk assessment, tools and guidance
development
ECHA-EFSA Guidance on Endocrine Disruptors
11
CONCLUSION
Conclusion



More precise and realistic assessments
(targets, mechanisms, exposure)
More holistic approach / encompassing
assessments
“Value is created outside your walls, inside
you only have costs!” Peter Drucker
12
Thank you
Trusted Science for Safe Food