EUROPE – The European Food Safety Agency (EFSA) has recently released a comprehensive technical report detailing the emerging chemical risks to food safety, covering the period from 2020 to 2023.
The report highlights the dynamic nature of these risks and the challenges they pose to food safety authorities across Europe.
Emerging chemical risks refer to new or previously unrecognized hazards that could potentially compromise the safety of food and feed.
These risks can arise from a range of factors, including changes in agricultural practices, technological advancements, environmental pollution, and evolving consumer behaviors.
The rapidly changing landscape requires continuous monitoring and swift response mechanisms to mitigate potential threats.
EFSA’s multidisciplinary approach to risk identification
To effectively identify and assess these emerging risks, EFSA employs a multidisciplinary approach that integrates toxicological, chemical, and epidemiological data.
Central to this effort is the Emerging Risks Exchange Network (EREN), established in 2010 to facilitate information exchange and scientific collaboration between EU Member States and EFSA.
The Stakeholder Discussion Group on Emerging Risks (StaDG-ER), formed in 2011, also plays a key role by engaging EFSA-registered stakeholders in discussions about potential risks.
EFSA places significant emphasis on horizon-scanning, a technique that involves analyzing trends and developments in science, technology, and society to anticipate future risks. This proactive approach enables EFSA to implement preventive measures and stay ahead of potential food safety challenges.
Identified chemical risks: A closer look
Between 2020 and 2023, EFSA identified several emerging chemical risks, many of which are linked to environmental pollution, agricultural practices, and technological advancements.
Notably, the agency highlighted the growing concern over per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS), a group of industrial chemicals that have been widely detected in the environment and are associated with serious health risks, including endocrine disruption and cancer.
Toxic heavy metals, such as cadmium, lead, and mercury, were also flagged as significant risks, particularly in regions with high levels of industrial activity or mining operations. The accumulation of these metals in the environment poses a persistent threat to food safety.
EFSA’s report also raised concerns about residues from agricultural practices, particularly pesticides and herbicides. The long-term health effects of exposure to these chemicals remain poorly understood, and the introduction of new chemicals to the market only compounds the uncertainty.
Another critical issue identified in the report is the presence of veterinary drugs, such as antibiotics and growth promoters, in food products. This is closely linked to the global threat of antimicrobial resistance (AMR), which poses significant challenges to public health.
Chemicals used in food processing and packaging were also highlighted as emerging risks. For example, acrylamide, a potential carcinogen formed during high-temperature cooking processes, has raised concerns due to its presence in processed foods.
Similarly, the migration of chemicals like bisphenol A (BPA) and phthalates from food packaging into foods is a major concern due to their endocrine-disrupting properties.
Impact of climate change and globalization
EFSA’s report also acknowledges the impact of climate change and globalization on food safety. Shifts in temperature and precipitation patterns driven by climate change can influence the occurrence of contaminants like mycotoxins in crops.
Additionally, the globalization of the food supply chain introduces new risks as food and feed are sourced from regions with varying regulatory standards.
Novel food production technologies: A double-edged sword
The report further explores the risks associated with novel food production technologies, such as genetically modified organisms (GMOs) and synthetic biology.
While GMOs have been extensively studied, the continuous development of new genetically engineered crops could result in unexpected interactions with other chemicals.
Synthetic biology, which involves the design and construction of new biological systems, presents its own set of risks, particularly regarding the introduction of synthetic organisms into the food chain.
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