Representatives from the European Food Safety Authority (EFSA) and the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) have signed the first transatlantic agreement in the area of food safety risk assessment.

Under the agreement, the two food agencies will share confidential scientific and other information, such as methodologies to ensure that the food on our plates is safe to eat. The agreement formalises existing cooperation and exchanges between the two bodies.

'Food safety knows no national boundaries and the food chain is today truly a global one,' commented Catherine Geslain-Lanéelle, Executive Director of EFSA, at the signing of the agreement in Brussels on 2 July. 'We need to work with the best scientific minds from across the world and extend scientific co-operation to assess food safety risks and protect consumers even more. Sharing data and knowledge across our two organisations is an important first step in achieving this goal.'

'I welcome this opportunity for scientific exchanges with our European colleagues - exchanges that will be focused on ensuring the safety and wholesomeness of food, a major area of responsibility of our agency,' added Andrew C. von Eschenbach, FDA Commissioner.

This is the first formal international cooperation agreement signed by EFSA, which hopes to develop similar working arrangements with other authorities world wide in the coming years.

European Food Safety Authority

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