Editorial: The European Food Risk Assessment Fellowship Programme (EU-FORA)
Bronzwaer, S., Le Gourierec, N., & Koulouris, S. (2016). Editorial: The European Food Risk Assessment Fellowship Programme (EU-FORA). EFSA Journal, 14(11).
Scientific reports of the Fellows
Published in special issues of the EFSA Journal
2020
Shopova S; Sieg H; Braeuning A
Risk assessment and toxicological research on micro- and nanoplastics after oral exposure via food products Journal Article
In: EFSA Journal, vol. 18, no. S1, pp. e181102, 2020.
Abstract | Links | Tags: food, microplastics, nanoplastics, occurrence, risk assessment, toxicity
@article{https://doi.org/10.2903/j.efsa.2020.e181102,
title = {Risk assessment and toxicological research on micro- and nanoplastics after oral exposure via food products},
author = {Sofiya Shopova and Holger Sieg and Albert Braeuning},
url = {https://efsa.onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/abs/10.2903/j.efsa.2020.e181102},
doi = {https://doi.org/10.2903/j.efsa.2020.e181102},
year = {2020},
date = {2020-01-01},
journal = {EFSA Journal},
volume = {18},
number = {S1},
pages = {e181102},
abstract = {Abstract Plastics are used ubiquitously and have become part of our everyday life. The global production of plastics is rising, which in consequence is leading to increasing amounts of plastics being released into the environment. Recently, the issue of human exposure to micro- and nanoplastic particles and potentially resulting toxicological consequences has been broached, triggered by the discovery of microplastics in foodstuff. In addition to dietary exposure via contaminated food and beverages, other exposure paths such as via air and cosmetics, have to be considered. Currently there is no legislation for microplastics and nanoplastics as contaminants in food. Substantial data gaps with respect to exposure as well as toxicity of such particles impede the risk assessment. Within this EU-FORA fellowship project, a comprehensive data mining approach was followed, focusing on up-to-date knowledge on the occurrence and possible toxic effects associated with micro- and nanoplastics after oral exposure, especially via food products and beverages, in order to provide a basis for risk assessment and to identify important research gaps. The fellowship project was further complemented by practical work aimed at the determination of in vitro toxicity of micro-sized polylactic acid particles.},
keywords = {food, microplastics, nanoplastics, occurrence, risk assessment, toxicity},
pubstate = {published},
tppubtype = {article}
}
Abstract Plastics are used ubiquitously and have become part of our everyday life. The global production of plastics is rising, which in consequence is leading to increasing amounts of plastics being released into the environment. Recently, the issue of human exposure to micro- and nanoplastic particles and potentially resulting toxicological consequences has been broached, triggered by the discovery of microplastics in foodstuff. In addition to dietary exposure via contaminated food and beverages, other exposure paths such as via air and cosmetics, have to be considered. Currently there is no legislation for microplastics and nanoplastics as contaminants in food. Substantial data gaps with respect to exposure as well as toxicity of such particles impede the risk assessment. Within this EU-FORA fellowship project, a comprehensive data mining approach was followed, focusing on up-to-date knowledge on the occurrence and possible toxic effects associated with micro- and nanoplastics after oral exposure, especially via food products and beverages, in order to provide a basis for risk assessment and to identify important research gaps. The fellowship project was further complemented by practical work aimed at the determination of in vitro toxicity of micro-sized polylactic acid particles.
Raclariu-Manolica A C; Bakhiya N; Hirsch-Ernst K I
Risk assessment regarding the use of Annona muricata in food supplements Journal Article
In: EFSA Journal, vol. 18, no. S1, pp. e181112, 2020.
Abstract | Links | Tags: Annona muricata L., annonacin, botanical preparation, food, food supplement, neurotoxicity, risk assessment
@article{https://doi.org/10.2903/j.efsa.2020.e181112,
title = {Risk assessment regarding the use of Annona muricata in food supplements},
author = {Ancuta Cristina Raclariu-Manolica and Nadiya Bakhiya and Karen Ildico Hirsch-Ernst},
url = {https://efsa.onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/abs/10.2903/j.efsa.2020.e181112},
doi = {https://doi.org/10.2903/j.efsa.2020.e181112},
year = {2020},
date = {2020-01-01},
journal = {EFSA Journal},
volume = {18},
number = {S1},
pages = {e181112},
abstract = {Abstract The current risk assessment was performed in the context of the European Food Risk Assessment Fellowship Programme (EU-FORA) supported by EFSA and was intended to evaluate possible health risks associated with the consumption of Annona muricata L. (Annonaceae) and derived food supplements. A. muricata grows as a tree and is native to the Caribbean and Central America. Preparations made from different plant parts of A. muricata (i.e. fruit, leaves, bark, roots) have been used as herbal medicine and are also marketed worldwide as over-the-counter food supplements that have been purported to support general health or to treat a wide range of health conditions, particularly cancer and parasitic infections. However, open questions remain regarding the safety of A. muricata-based food supplements, since Annonaceae have been reported to contain potentially neurotoxic compounds, i.e. acetogenins. The assessment conducted within the present fellowship programme shows that substantial uncertainties exist regarding the safe use of A. muricata-based supplements. The available data provide indications of neurotoxic potential of certain A. muricata preparations. The paucity of adequate studies, particularly related to long-term use of A. muricata supplements, currently does not allow the establishment of a safe intake level. Within this technical report a workflow of the project is presented.},
keywords = {Annona muricata L., annonacin, botanical preparation, food, food supplement, neurotoxicity, risk assessment},
pubstate = {published},
tppubtype = {article}
}
Abstract The current risk assessment was performed in the context of the European Food Risk Assessment Fellowship Programme (EU-FORA) supported by EFSA and was intended to evaluate possible health risks associated with the consumption of Annona muricata L. (Annonaceae) and derived food supplements. A. muricata grows as a tree and is native to the Caribbean and Central America. Preparations made from different plant parts of A. muricata (i.e. fruit, leaves, bark, roots) have been used as herbal medicine and are also marketed worldwide as over-the-counter food supplements that have been purported to support general health or to treat a wide range of health conditions, particularly cancer and parasitic infections. However, open questions remain regarding the safety of A. muricata-based food supplements, since Annonaceae have been reported to contain potentially neurotoxic compounds, i.e. acetogenins. The assessment conducted within the present fellowship programme shows that substantial uncertainties exist regarding the safe use of A. muricata-based supplements. The available data provide indications of neurotoxic potential of certain A. muricata preparations. The paucity of adequate studies, particularly related to long-term use of A. muricata supplements, currently does not allow the establishment of a safe intake level. Within this technical report a workflow of the project is presented.
Gkrillas A; Dirven H; Andreassen M; Papadopoulou E; Hjertholm H; Husøy T
Risk assessment of phthalates based on aggregated exposure from foods and personal care products and comparison with biomonitoring data Journal Article
In: EFSA Journal, vol. 18, no. S1, pp. e181105, 2020.
Abstract | Links | Tags: cosmetics, exposure, food, Monte Carlo, phthalates, risk assessment
@article{https://doi.org/10.2903/j.efsa.2020.e181105,
title = {Risk assessment of phthalates based on aggregated exposure from foods and personal care products and comparison with biomonitoring data},
author = {Athanasios Gkrillas and Hubert Dirven and Monica Andreassen and Eleni Papadopoulou and Hege Hjertholm and Trine Husøy},
url = {https://efsa.onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/abs/10.2903/j.efsa.2020.e181105},
doi = {https://doi.org/10.2903/j.efsa.2020.e181105},
year = {2020},
date = {2020-01-01},
journal = {EFSA Journal},
volume = {18},
number = {S1},
pages = {e181105},
abstract = {Abstract Phthalates are a group of diesters of phthalic acid and have been widely used by the industry as plasticisers giving flexibility and durability to polyvinyl chloride (PVC) plastics. Commonly their uses vary from plasticisers in food contact materials and toys to emulsifying agents in personal care products. Phthalates are not covalently bound to PVC, thus they can migrate into the air, skin, water, food and the environment. The omnipresence of phthalates results in human exposure via multiple pathways such as dermal, oral and inhalation for prolonged periods. There is evidence that phthalates can induce disruption in oestrogenic activity, reproductive, developmental and liver toxicity both in experimental animals and potentially in humans. The aim of this technical report is to summarise the activities of the fellow performed at the Norwegian Institute of Public Health (NIPH). The goals of the work programme were collecting concentration levels on five specific phthalates from the scientific literature and combining them with consumption/use data reported in a biomonitoring study part of a Horizon 2020 project (EuroMix), and finally, estimate the aggregate phthalate exposure from food and personal care products and compare them with the measured phthalate levels in urine samples collected in the biomonitoring study.},
keywords = {cosmetics, exposure, food, Monte Carlo, phthalates, risk assessment},
pubstate = {published},
tppubtype = {article}
}
Abstract Phthalates are a group of diesters of phthalic acid and have been widely used by the industry as plasticisers giving flexibility and durability to polyvinyl chloride (PVC) plastics. Commonly their uses vary from plasticisers in food contact materials and toys to emulsifying agents in personal care products. Phthalates are not covalently bound to PVC, thus they can migrate into the air, skin, water, food and the environment. The omnipresence of phthalates results in human exposure via multiple pathways such as dermal, oral and inhalation for prolonged periods. There is evidence that phthalates can induce disruption in oestrogenic activity, reproductive, developmental and liver toxicity both in experimental animals and potentially in humans. The aim of this technical report is to summarise the activities of the fellow performed at the Norwegian Institute of Public Health (NIPH). The goals of the work programme were collecting concentration levels on five specific phthalates from the scientific literature and combining them with consumption/use data reported in a biomonitoring study part of a Horizon 2020 project (EuroMix), and finally, estimate the aggregate phthalate exposure from food and personal care products and compare them with the measured phthalate levels in urine samples collected in the biomonitoring study.
2019
Assunção R; Pires S; Nauta M
Risk-Benefit Assessment of Foods Journal Article
In: EFSA Journal, vol. 17, no. S2, pp. e170917, 2019.
Abstract | Links | Tags: food, microbiology, nutrition, raw milk, Risk-benefit assessment, toxicology
@article{https://doi.org/10.2903/j.efsa.2019.e170917,
title = {Risk-Benefit Assessment of Foods},
author = {R Assunção and SM Pires and M Nauta},
url = {https://efsa.onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/abs/10.2903/j.efsa.2019.e170917},
doi = {https://doi.org/10.2903/j.efsa.2019.e170917},
year = {2019},
date = {2019-01-01},
journal = {EFSA Journal},
volume = {17},
number = {S2},
pages = {e170917},
abstract = {Abstract Food is an elementary requirement for human life, providing nutrients and essential energy needed for optimal health. But at the same time, food can also be a vehicle of hazardous substances or pathogens that could affect human health negatively. Risk-benefit assessment (RBA) of foods, a relatively new methodology for decision support, integrates nutrition, toxicology, microbiology, chemistry and human epidemiology for a comprehensive health impact assessment. By integrating health risks and benefits related to food consumption, RBA facilitates science-based decision-making in food-related areas and the development of policies and consumer advice. The present work programme aimed to allow the fellow to become acquainted with the process of RBA and the associated tools needed to assess quantitatively the risks and the benefits through three main activities (i) to learn the different methodologies used for RBA; (ii) to apply these methodologies to a specific case-study – RBA of raw milk consumption; and (iii) to participate in the main activities of the Risk-Benefit research group at DTU Food regarding risk-benefit issues. For the RBA of raw milk consumption, microbiological pathogens (Listeria monocytogenes, Salmonella spp., Campylobacter jejuni and Shiga toxin-producing Escherichia coli), probiotic bacteria and nutritional components (vitamins B2 and A) were considered, as well as the potential impact of raw milk consumption in the reduction of the allergies’ prevalence. Two major approaches were applied: the bottom-up (estimating the disease incidence due to the exposure) and the top-down (using epidemiological and incidence data to the estimate the number of cases attributable to a certain exposure). Through all the training and hands-on activities performed, the present work programme enabled the fellow to extend the knowledge on the quantitative RBA, specifically in the context of raw milk consumption. EU-FORA programme also provided an exceptional opportunity of networking and establishment of future research lines of collaboration.},
keywords = {food, microbiology, nutrition, raw milk, Risk-benefit assessment, toxicology},
pubstate = {published},
tppubtype = {article}
}
Abstract Food is an elementary requirement for human life, providing nutrients and essential energy needed for optimal health. But at the same time, food can also be a vehicle of hazardous substances or pathogens that could affect human health negatively. Risk-benefit assessment (RBA) of foods, a relatively new methodology for decision support, integrates nutrition, toxicology, microbiology, chemistry and human epidemiology for a comprehensive health impact assessment. By integrating health risks and benefits related to food consumption, RBA facilitates science-based decision-making in food-related areas and the development of policies and consumer advice. The present work programme aimed to allow the fellow to become acquainted with the process of RBA and the associated tools needed to assess quantitatively the risks and the benefits through three main activities (i) to learn the different methodologies used for RBA; (ii) to apply these methodologies to a specific case-study – RBA of raw milk consumption; and (iii) to participate in the main activities of the Risk-Benefit research group at DTU Food regarding risk-benefit issues. For the RBA of raw milk consumption, microbiological pathogens (Listeria monocytogenes, Salmonella spp., Campylobacter jejuni and Shiga toxin-producing Escherichia coli), probiotic bacteria and nutritional components (vitamins B2 and A) were considered, as well as the potential impact of raw milk consumption in the reduction of the allergies’ prevalence. Two major approaches were applied: the bottom-up (estimating the disease incidence due to the exposure) and the top-down (using epidemiological and incidence data to the estimate the number of cases attributable to a certain exposure). Through all the training and hands-on activities performed, the present work programme enabled the fellow to extend the knowledge on the quantitative RBA, specifically in the context of raw milk consumption. EU-FORA programme also provided an exceptional opportunity of networking and establishment of future research lines of collaboration.
2018
Matyjaszczyk E; Schumann R
Risk assessment of white willow (Salix alba) in food Journal Article
In: EFSA Journal, vol. 16, no. S1, pp. e16081, 2018.
Abstract | Links | Tags: bark, cortex, food, food supplements, risk assessment, Salix alba, White willow
@article{https://doi.org/10.2903/j.efsa.2018.e16081,
title = {Risk assessment of white willow (Salix alba) in food},
author = {Ewa Matyjaszczyk and Regina Schumann},
url = {https://efsa.onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/abs/10.2903/j.efsa.2018.e16081},
doi = {https://doi.org/10.2903/j.efsa.2018.e16081},
year = {2018},
date = {2018-01-01},
journal = {EFSA Journal},
volume = {16},
number = {S1},
pages = {e16081},
abstract = {Abstract This Technical Report contains a description of the activities within the work programme of the EU-FORA Fellowship on the risk assessment of white willow in food. The bark of different varieties of willow has had a long history of medical use as a means to reduce fever and as a painkiller. Willow bark is also used in weight loss and sports performance food supplements. The labelling of these products usually does not mention any restrictions to the length of use. The recommended doses for foods differ, sometimes exceeding doses recommended for pharmaceuticals. A systematic literature review on adverse effects potentially resulting from oral exposure to white willow (Salix alba) was performed. The aim of the study was to assess the risk for humans when consuming white willow bark in food. The preliminary results show that despite the long history of use only very limited data on toxicity of white willow bark are available. However, anaphylactic reactions in people with a history of allergy to salicylates may occur. Some other adverse effects of salicylates are considered to be of low relevance for the long-time consumption of white willow bark, mainly due to relatively low concentrations of salicin and the presence of compounds with gastroprotective action. However, it seems that the content of heavy metals, mainly cadmium, should be further addressed in risk assessment of white willow bark in food.},
keywords = {bark, cortex, food, food supplements, risk assessment, Salix alba, White willow},
pubstate = {published},
tppubtype = {article}
}
Abstract This Technical Report contains a description of the activities within the work programme of the EU-FORA Fellowship on the risk assessment of white willow in food. The bark of different varieties of willow has had a long history of medical use as a means to reduce fever and as a painkiller. Willow bark is also used in weight loss and sports performance food supplements. The labelling of these products usually does not mention any restrictions to the length of use. The recommended doses for foods differ, sometimes exceeding doses recommended for pharmaceuticals. A systematic literature review on adverse effects potentially resulting from oral exposure to white willow (Salix alba) was performed. The aim of the study was to assess the risk for humans when consuming white willow bark in food. The preliminary results show that despite the long history of use only very limited data on toxicity of white willow bark are available. However, anaphylactic reactions in people with a history of allergy to salicylates may occur. Some other adverse effects of salicylates are considered to be of low relevance for the long-time consumption of white willow bark, mainly due to relatively low concentrations of salicin and the presence of compounds with gastroprotective action. However, it seems that the content of heavy metals, mainly cadmium, should be further addressed in risk assessment of white willow bark in food.