On 18 August 2020, the European Food Safety Authority’s (EFSA) Scientific Committee published a report for internal use that will be opened for public consultation after an internal testing phase. The “Draft for internal testing Scientific Committee guidance on appraising and integrating evidence from epidemiological studies for use in EFSA’s scientific assessment” provides guidance to EFSA scientists on appraising human health studies such as linking chemical exposure levels in people to adverse health outcomes. Further, it provides a blueprint on how to integrate such evidence into EFSA scientific assessments, for example in risk assessments for food contact chemicals.

The report “describes key epidemiological concepts relevant for evidence appraisal” and the “principles of appraising epidemiological studies are illustrated”. Further, the determination of Risk of Bias is explained and facilitated.

The report is a draft intended initially for internal EFSA use and will be amended, as necessary. Thereafter, a public consultation is planned before finalization of the document, but a date for the consultation was not provided. The report was initiated by a request from the EFSA Scientific Committee and Emerging Risks Unit in February 2019.

Read more

EFSA (August 18, 2020) “Draft for internal testing – Scientific Committee guidance on appraising and integrating evidence from epidemiological studies for use in EFSA’s scientific assessments.EFSA Journal (pdf)

Simon More (February 25, 2019). “Letter from SC chair to ED self task.” EFSA, Register of Questions

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