One-click tool for food chemical toxicity information

The European Food Safety Authority (EFSA) has released OpenFoodTox, a database that provides instant information about the toxicity of chemicals found in the food and feed chain.

While all of the information in the database is already publicly available, now it has been collated into one site and will be updated annually.

The database gives information on over 4000 chemical substances, related EU legislation, the EFSA output identifying their critical effects and the safe levels set by EFSA scientific panels, such as tolerable or acceptable daily intakes.

OpenFoodTox gives quick and easy access to the most important information and provides the summary toxicological information used by the EFSA in its risk assessments since 2002.

The chemicals covered in the database come from all the different areas in which the EFSA is responsible for chemical risk assessment: pesticides, food additives, flavourings and nutrient sources, feed additives and both natural and man-made contaminants. Not only does it contain information on the critical health effects for risk assessment for humans — such as liver or mammary toxicity — but also for farm animals, pets and species of ecological importance such as bees and fish.

The click-of-a-mouse tool is available for all scientists and decision-makers to search and access key toxicity information by substance. It could also be useful to civil society groups, food operators and members of the general public who want to gain more detailed insights on the assessment of the safety of chemicals in food.