The central message from last week’s European Food Safety Authority (EFSA) Stakeholder Consultative Platform was a call for feedback from stakeholders in taking the Authority forward.

At the meeting held in Italy from July 20-21, EFSA’s new executive director Catherine Geslain-Lanéelle said: “This dialogue is a tangible opportunity for actors working in the food and feed sectors and in the agency’s area of competence to contribute to the Authority’s upcoming work.”

The management board also announced nutrition will be a key priority for EFSA in the coming years, given the pending adoption of a new regulation for Nutrition and Health Claims, which calls for active involvement of the Authority.

EFSA announced that it will kick-start activity in this field by holding a symposium on Nutrition and Health Claims from November 8-10 in Bologna, Italy.

The symposium will be open to all interested parties, including stakeholders, and provide an opportunity to discuss issues, such as nutritional profiles and the scientific substantiation of claims.

The future of the Consultative Platform was also discussed at the meeting.

After just one year in operation, participants recognised the usefulness of such meetings and recommended that EFSA should submit a proposal to the board to ensure its continuation.

EFSA will present a document for consideration at the first meeting of the newly re-constituted board to be held on September 12.