Glossary

maximum amount that can be confidently concluded to pose no risk of adverse effects in the population

- Strains belonging to a microorganism with a QPS status may be entitled to a fast-track safety assessment (evaluation); - Microorganisms not considered suitable for the QPS status remain subject to a full safety assessment (evaluation)

Pertaining to a substance, it is a factor used by risk assessors to derive a reference dose that is considered safe or below which an adverse effect is unlikely to occur. The value of the safety factor depends on the toxic effect, the size and type of the population to be protected and the quality of the (eco)toxicological and exposure data available

A systematic way of planning the number and type of samples required for an investigation

Opinions include risk assessments on general scientific issues, evaluations of an application for the authorisation of a product, substance or claim, or an evaluation of a risk assessment

Evaluation of scientific, academic, or professional work by others working in the same field

A first step method to establish the presence of a substance in a population for the purposes of estimating risk. Food intake is combined with likely chemical concentration to create an estimate of chemical exposure

The process whereby, during the course of its regular work, EFSA identifies an issue worthy of further consideration

A branch of science that refers to the study of human behaviour, and its interplay with social and cultural aspects. Typically, it encompasses disciplines such as psychology, sociology, economics, anthropology, political science, and political science. Evidence and expertise from social science is used by EFSA to support its communication of risk from farm to fork; evolve its research methods and capability; and back its organisational agility.

A change in soil quality which adversely affects its ability to nourish or support the ecosystem

The cultivation of plants using a nutrient solution instead of soil; also called hydroponics

A subdivision of the genus, a species is a group of closely related and similar-looking organisms; for example, in the case of Homo sapiens (humans), the second part of the name (sapiens) represents the species

A model of the variation in sensitivity of a species to a particular source of harm (e.g. drought, pest invasion or chemical exposure)

The maximum permitted amount of a substance expressed in mg of substance per kg of food (mg/kg) that can migrate from a food contact material (FCM) into food so as not to pose a health risk. Manufacturers need to ensure that FCMs will respect the SML when brought into contact with food, even under the worst foreseeable contact conditions.

The specific goals of an environmental risk assessment in terms of what to protect, where to protect it, over what time period and with what degree of certainty.

Species sensitivity distribution (SSD) is a model of the variation in sensitivity of a species to a particular source of harm (e.g. drought, pest invasion or chemical exposure)

The creation of a genetically modified organism (GMO) with more than one genetic modification. This can be done by (a) cross-breeding two GMOs with each having one or more pre-existing modifications (b) carrying out a second genetic modification in an existing GMO or (c) introducing multiple genes or traits at once

Specifications aimed at harmonising the collection of samples from Member States for the analysis of harmful or beneficial substances in food, feed and water

A measure of the likelihood that a result occurred based on statistics

A scientifically-based process consisting of four steps: hazard identification, hazard characterisation, exposure assessment and risk characterisation

A subtype of a microbe defined by its genetic make-up; for example, in the case of Escherichia coli O157, the 'O157' part of the name refers to the strain

A change in conditions, such as a drought, pest or chemical exposure, which often has negative effects on an organism or population

Parts of organic molecules which are believed to be responsible for adverse effects (e.g. genotoxicity) and can be used to predict the toxicity of similar compounds

An identifiable subdivision of a population; for example, infants

A biological, physiological, demographic or behavioural effect on an individual or population that survives exposure to a substance at a lethal (i.e., deadly) or sublethal concentration. Sublethal effects may affect, among others, life span, development, population growth, fertility and behaviour, such as feeding or foraging

substance naturally found in some foods and a common food additive, used to maintain appearance, increase shelf-life and prevent the growth of hazardous microorganisms

An interaction that multiplies outcomes. The outcome in question may be beneficial or adverse

Field of science that combines engineering and biology with the aim of developing new biological systems and attributing new features to living cells

A pesticide which is distributed throughout the target organism (e.g. insect, rodent or weed) without losing efficacy