3. FOOD MICRO-ORGANISMS IN THE EXISTING
REGULATORY FRAMEWORK
3.1. Overview of the European Food Legislation
National food regulations in Europe reflect different
backgrounds, values and historical traditions. Within the
European Union, various directives and regulations aim to
harmonise regulatory practices. Union-wide approval of
genetically modified organisms, novel foods, and food and
feed additives has been based on the interactions between
national competent authorities and the European Commission
itself. In the formal decision making process, the various
standing committees where the member states are represented
play a key role. The scientific committees, consisting of
recognised experts, act as advisory bodies. In the food and
feed area, the most relevant scientific committees have been
the Scientific Committee on Food (SCF), the Scientific
Committee on Animal Nutrition (SCAN) and the Scientific
Committee on Plants (SCP).
With the establishment of the European Food Safety
Authority (EFSA) by Regulation 178/2002, the current
system briefly outlined above is going to change. The aim of
EFSA is “to form a common basis of measures governing
food and feed taken in the Member States and at Community
level”. The Authority should provide independent scientific
advise, risk assessment and risk communication. While the
risk management will still be the task of the Commission, the
intention is to strengthen the link between the risk assessment
and the risk managers. EFSA will also take over the
functions of the scientific committees previously attached to
the commission, and create its own scientific panels coordinated
by a scientific committee. The eight panels to be established
are the: Panel on food additives, flavourings, processing
aids and materials in contact with food; Panel on
additives and products or substances in animal feed; Panel on
plant health, plant protection products and their residues;
Panel on genetically modified organisms; Panel on dietetic
products, nutrition and allergies; Panel on biological hazards;
Panel on contaminants in the food chain; and Panel on
animal health and welfare. The panels adopted the functions
of the former scientific committees in 2003. EFSA can also
commission scientific studies necessary for the performance
of its mission.