EFSA Requests Feedback on TTC Opinion

The European Food Safety Authority (EFSA) has launched for a public consultation period for its draft opinion, which evaluates the relevance and reliability of the Threshold of Toxicological Concern (TTC) approach as a tool for qualitative assessment and scientific advice about human health risks from low levels of exposure to substances present in food and feed. In the opinion, EFSA’s scientific committee concluded the TTC approach is not only useful for qualitative risk assessment, but it is also suitable for setting priorities for assessing the safety of chemicals, thus enabling more efficient use of available resources and possible reductions in unnecessary animal testing. The opinion also identifies areas where the approach could be applied in EFSA’s work and the areas and substances for which it is not suitable. All stakeholders and interested parties are invited to provide their comments through the online public consultation by September 15, 2011. Click here for more information on submitting feedback.