Europe’s GM Plant Allergenicity Draft Presented in Parma

30 Sep 2016 --- The European Food Safety Authority’s (EFSA) draft guidance on allergenicity of genetically modified plants is to be discussed by interested stakeholders later this fall.

EFSA invites representatives of European member states, scientific experts, Non-government organizations, industry and international partners to take part in the meeting in Parma, Italy, on November 23.

The assessment of potential allergenicity is an integral part of the overall risk assessment of GM plants before being commercialized in the European Union. The supplementary guidance on allergenicity will reflect relevant technical advances and new scientific findings since the current guidance was published in 2011.

The discussion follows an earlier workshop in June and will be the second time that EFSA engages its stakeholders in shaping the documents as part its efforts to be transparent.

A public consultation period where EFSA had asked interested parties for input has just come to an end, prompting calls for stakeholders to get involved in November’s discussions. Following a presentation of the draft guidance document, participants will hear about the feedback received during the public consultation and discuss approaches for the finalization of the document.