The European Food Safety Authority (EFSA) recognizes the urgency to enhance its efficiency in meeting industry demands. The agency indicates it is collaborating closely with the European Commission and various stakeholders in this pursuit.
This acknowledgment follows criticism from food manufacturers and ingredient suppliers, who argue that the current assessment processes place industry competitors at a “competitive disadvantage” in the global arena.
Why is the food industry criticizing EFSA?
The industry’s concerns have emerged amid the Commission’s evaluation of EFSA’s performance, scheduled for next year. With Europe’s food regulatory agency under scrutiny, members of the food and beverage sector have expressed their dissatisfaction regarding its operational efficiency.
One principal complaint is that EFSA’s evaluation timelines, particularly for ‘novel foods,’ are excessively lengthy. This results in increased costs for industry stakeholders, compounded by a significantly heavier administrative load.
Furthermore, industry representatives highlight that the complexity of regulatory submission processes is escalating.
As a result, they argue that the inefficiency of the current system places Europe at a “competitive disadvantage,” as outlined in an open letter to EFSA.
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However, the industry is not solely focused on pointing out problems; it is also presenting solutions. Various suggestions have been made, primarily involving adjustments to EFSA’s Transparency Regulation to enhance Europe’s competitiveness and decrease reliance on other markets.
Could changes to EU food law be on the horizon?
EFSA acknowledges that a fit-for-purpose regulatory system is essential for ensuring food safety while simultaneously fostering competition, innovation, and sustainability within the food system.
The agency is aware that as the scientific complexity of food safety applications grows—especially regarding novel foods like cell-cultivated meat or precision fermentation-derived dairy—it encounters “growing challenges” to deliver timely assessments.
What potential changes could expedite EFSA’s assessment processes from the agency’s standpoint?
EFSA continuously explores ways to streamline its processes and effectively utilize its resources. Moreover, larger solutions may involve regulatory reforms.
“We see the potential for important improvements, some of which would require changes to EU legislation, such as allowing earlier and more meaningful interaction with applicants to enhance application quality,” an EFSA spokesperson explains.
The next step in EFSA’s evaluation process
The Commission initiated its assessment of EFSA’s performance last year, including soliciting feedback from industry players.
A formal 12-week public consultation concluded in April of this year. Additionally, a survey aimed at collecting insights on EFSA’s technical and policy frameworks was distributed, inviting participation from national authorities, EFSA staff, business operators, and consumer groups.
All gathered information will inform the Commission’s evaluation of EFSA’s performance, due by March 2026.
“We look forward to the recommendations of the external evaluation, which will largely depend on stakeholder input and will influence the European Commission’s decisions regarding potential legislative adjustments,” states the EFSA spokesperson.
