Policy
Science as the basis is mandatory
The German food sector's expectation of the EU Institutions from 2019 to 2024
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Knowledge based on science is the basic prerequisite for an objective clarification, e.g., for questions concerning a healthy lifestyle or in the area of risk management. Here, it is imperative for the general interest to rely primarily on the results of the independent scientific risk assessments of the European Food Safety Authority (EFSA).
Example: titanium dioxide and bisphenol A
In the case of approved and evaluated substances, such as titanium dioxide as the food additive E171 and bisphenol A (BPA) as an important packaging component, these have been unilaterally prohibited and by doing so, France has disregarded the requirement of science-based risk management. This not only hampers the free circulation of goods, but also, above all, damages the confidence in the common knowledge-based safety assessment concepts of the EFSA. In the cases mentioned there are up-to-date and final EFSA opinions, which are being questioned by French institutions. With the national prohibition measures, changes in Community law, or regardless of the objective safety assessments, facts are being “forced” onto the markets. The European Commission needs tools and support so that individual Member States cannot challenge EFSA science and expertise, in pursuit of political agendas.
What else does the German food sector expect from the Institutions and the Member States of the European Union in the legislative period until 2024? Click here for the overview.
