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EU - Novel Food Case Study in the EU: Exploring the Interplay Between Risk Assessment and Societal Insights for Communication

European Union

Jan 13, 2025

Recent advances in science and consumer demand for new or alternative food products boosted innovation in the food industry, stimulating the production of ever newer foodstuff. In the European Union (EU), when these lack a significant history of consumption, they may qualify as novel foods (NFs) and require a risk assessment by the European Food Safety Authority (EFSA) before they can enter the EU market. In this context, risk communication is crucial in ensuring the public understands any associated risks and requires different approaches according to societal knowledge and risk perception. We identified effective risk communication options for different NFs, accounting for societal insights, media analytics, and technical features. We applied an adapted version of EFSA’s approach for planning risk communication of risk assessments’ incoming requests on cell culture-derived foods and previously assessed NFs. The study included: categorization according to NF’s nature, assessment of their mandates for their risk communication potential, identification of shared features across NF categories potentially triggering societal interest, and gathering of societal insights from literature and media analysis to map elements for risk communication. We recommend enhancing individuals’ knowledge of risks through awareness-raising for NFs derived from microorganisms, fungi, or algae, produced with precision fermentation, derived from insects, or plants. For cell culture-derived foods, where public knowledge is higher, communication approaches should instead aim to build trust and resolve differences in views. We further highlight the importance of continuous dialogue between EFSA and stakeholders to ensure tailored risk communication that considers both scientific and societal factors.

 

Author(s):  Laganaro, M., Zamariola, G., Garcia Ruiz, E., Nuin Garciarena,. et. al

Published in: The International Journal of Sociology of Agriculture and Food

 

 

For further information, click on the: https://ijsaf.org/index.php/ijsaf/article/view/594
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