Agency News Corner
Pesticide residues in food: latest data released
Compliance with EU limits for pesticide residues remains high, according to EFSA, based on the results of over 125,000 food samples collected across Europe. EFSA’s latest report, in line with previous years, confirms that the risk to human health from pesticide residues in food remains low.
Plant Health 4 Life – reinforcing simple actions that protect plants
The Plant Health 4 Life campaign returns for its fourth and final year, continuing a shared effort by the European Food Safety Authority (EFSA), the European Commission and 33 countries to put plant health at the heart of our everyday choices.
African swine fever outbreaks increase in pigs and wild boar across the EU
In 2025, African swine fever (ASF) outbreaks increased across the European Union in both domestic pigs (+76%) and wild boar (+44%) compared to 2024, according to EFSA’s latest annual epidemiological report. The disease reemerged in Spain after 31 years without detections, raising the number of affected Member States to 14.
ECHA supports PFAS restriction with targeted derogations
ECHA's two scientific committees support EU-wide action with appropriate derogations and controls to address the growing and long‑lasting risks per-and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) pose to people and the environment.
ECHA updates OECD eChemPortal with its latest data
The European Chemicals Agency’s (ECHA) REACH data, published in ECHA CHEM, its centralised regulatory database, has been updated in the OECD eChemPortal.
ECHA to play key role in protecting Europe’s waters from chemical pollution
The European Chemicals Agency (ECHA) will take on new scientific tasks under the EU’s updated water protection legislation, which will strengthen the protection of Europe’s water resources from harmful effects of chemicals.
First oral GLP-1 treatment for weight management
Wegovy tablets offer an alternative to subcutaneous injections
EMA actively monitoring cruise ship Hantavirus outbreak
Risk for the general population currently considered very low by ECDC
Meeting highlights from the Committee for Medicinal Products for Human Use (CHMP) 18-21 May 2026
Eight new medicines recommended for approval; another 13 medicines recommended for extension of their therapeutic indications
EMA and FDA set common principles for AI in medicine development
Advancing safe, ethical and aligned AI practices across the medicines lifecycle
EMA: Use of paracetamol during pregnancy unchanged in the EU
Paracetamol medicines can be used in pregnancy, in accordance with official recommendations
Recruitment procedure opens for next Executive Director of the European Medicines Agency
Candidates have until 19 March to apply for the role
ECHA’s Risk Assessment Committee adopts its opinion on PFAS restriction proposal
The European Chemicals Agency’s (ECHA) Risk Assessment Committee (RAC) has concluded its evaluation of the universal restriction proposal on all per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS). Its opinion is the first part of ECHA’s two-committee scientific evaluation of the proposal.
Highlights from February BPC meeting
ECHA’s Biocidal Products Committee (BPC) adopted six opinions on active substances and two on Union authorisations.
ECHA’s Socio-Economic Analysis Committee agrees its draft opinion on PFAS restriction proposal
The European Chemicals Agency’s (ECHA) Committee for Socio-Economic Analysis (SEAC) has agreed its draft opinion on the universal restriction proposal on all per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS). The draft opinion will be published soon for a 60-day consultation.
EFSA provides rapid risk assessment on cereulide in infant formula
In their rapid risk assessment, EFSA’s scientists established an acute reference dose (ARfD) for cereulide in infants and established cereulide concentrations in infant formula of potential safety concern. This advice is intended to help EU risk managers determine when products should be withdrawn from the market as a precautionary public health measure.
Veterinary drug residues in food: what's the latest in the EU?
EFSA’s yearly report on residues of veterinary medicinal products in live animals and animal products shows continued high compliance with official limits in 2024. Explore the results in greater detail using the interactive dashboard!
Provisional safe level for cannabidiol as a novel food
EFSA’s scientists have established a provisional safe intake level for adults for cannabidiol (CBD) as a novel food but highlighted persistent data gaps. To support applicants in providing the missing information, EFSA is planning an information webinar to take place in April.
EFSA to host 5th European Conference on Xylella fastidiosa
EFSA is holding the 5th European Conference on Xylella fastidiosa in Bari, Italy from 23 to 25 June 2026. Abstract submission and registration are open until 13 March 2026 (12:00 CET/CEST).
Lectins in food: undercooked beans pose health risk, says EFSA
EFSA’s assessment concludes that consumer exposure to lectins in undercooked beans indicates a health concern. Consuming properly processed and prepared pulses does not pose any risk related to lectins. Check out the plain language summary.
Meat intended for freezing: EFSA assesses bacterial growth in meat before it reaches consumers
EFSA’s experts looked at how storage conditions – such as temperature, vacuum-packaging and time – affect microbial growth between slaughter and freezing as well as during subsequent defrosting and storage. Based on these findings, the EC may propose changes to EU legislation.
Episode 36 - Nice to m-eat you: what are alternative proteins?
Legumes, mealworm powder and duck cell biomass produced in a lab may seem worlds apart but they all feature in conversations about how our food system is evolving. Let's bust some common myths with Ermolaos Ververis, Scientific officer in the Nutrition & Food Innovation Unit at EFSA
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