EFSA

At a glance

• The European Food Safety Authority: a European Union agency set up in 2002 and based in Parma, Italy.
• Provides independent scientific advice on risks in the food chain, from farm to fork, mostly at the request of the European Commission, the European Parliament and Member States.
• Sets Dietary Reference Values for energy, protein, fats, carbohydrates, fibre, vitamins, minerals and also water, plus tolerable upper intake levels for vitamins and minerals.
• Assesses whether health claims on foods and supplements are scientifically substantiated; on that basis the Commission and Member States decide which claims go into the EU register.
• Useful for Engy readers: if you want to know how much water, vitamin D or protein you need, or what a claim on a pack is really allowed to say, this is the European reference.
• We include it as an official scientific source, not as personal nutrition advice.