On November 27, 2018, the European Food Safety Authority (EFSA) released the final report on its 24th Scientific Colloquium held in April 2018 (FPF reported). The colloquium focused on “Omics in risk assessment: State of the art and next steps” and discussed applications of omics methods in characterization of microbial strains and genetically modified plants, as well as in risk assessments for human health and the environment (FPF reported).
The report states that “omics technologies are a valuable addition in some aspects of risk assessment of food and feed products and the environment, especially now that this technology is almost mature and stable.” However, to facilitate a “routine” use of omics technologies in risk assessment, “a consistent reporting framework for data collection, processing, interpretation, storage and curation” still needs to be developed and adopted by “national and international organizations.” Currently, omics datasets cannot yet be used “as a standalone tool in risk assessment.” As a next step, “test cases could be worked out to enhance confidence.”
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EFSA (November 27, 2018). “EFSA Scientific Colloquium 24 – omics in risk assessment: state of the art and next steps.”
EFSA (April 2018). “EFSA scientific colloquium ‘Omics in risk assessment: state-of-the-art and next steps.’”
EFSA (November 27, 2018). “EFSA Scientific Colloquium 24 – ‘omics in risk assessment: state of the art and next steps.” EFSA Supporting Publications 15:1512E.
