EFSA supporting publications 

About: EFSA supporting publications is an academic journal published by European Food Safety Authority. The journal publishes majorly in the area(s): Biology & Medicine. It has an ISSN identifier of 2397-8325. It is also open access. Over the lifetime, 168 publications have been published receiving 210 citations. The journal is also known as: European Food Safety Authority supporting publications.

Development of a Roadmap for Action on New Approach Methodologies in Risk Assessment

Abstract: While whole animal studies have their place in risk assessment of food and feed components, it is thought that more modern approaches such as human focused new approached methodologies (NAMs) would bring advantages including a greater focus to the human species, a focus on molecular mechanism and kinetics and the possibility of addressing susceptible populations. This report outlines the thinking from the authors and culminates in activity proposals in seven distinct but interacting scientific areas i.e. development of additional AOPs/AOP networks (AOPs), advanced cell culture models including Organ on a chip (OoC), toxicokinetic assessment with a focus on physiological based kinetic modelling (PBK), exposome, human susceptibility, data integration and new concepts in human risk assessment. Furthermore, the development of a Forum is proposed to facilitate the implementation of new approaches and concepts in risk assessment. The report was compiled by the project team, renowned experts in the various areas, and recommendations were discussed with EFSA and further refined following consultation with external experts via a dedicated workshop. The authors are convinced that if the recommendations are taken up, there will be a significant impact in the field, resulting in increasing the uptake and utilisation of these emerging technologies by all stakeholders involved.

Manual for reporting 2021 antimicrobial resistance data within the framework of Directive 2003/99/EC and Decision 2020/1729/EU

Abstract: This manual provides guidance for reporting antimicrobial resistance under the framework of Directive 2003/99/EC and Commission Implementing Decision 2020/1729/EU in food-producing animals and foodstuffs derived thereof. The objective is to harmonise and streamline the reporting made by the Member States to ensure that the antimicrobial resistance data collected are relevant and easy to analyse at the European Union level. Detailed guidelines are provided for the reporting of data and text forms. This guidance typically applies to Salmonella spp., indicator commensal Escherichia coli, Campylobacter coli and Campylobacter jejuni, and the animal populations and food categories to be reported on. Guidance is also provided on indicator Enterococcus and meticillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus. The manual notably includes specific guidance for reporting mandatory data on Salmonella spp. and commensal indicator E. coli producers of ESBLs/AmpCs/carbapenemases obtained from the harmonised routine monitoring, and ESBL-/AmpC-/carbapenemase-producing E. coli derived from specific monitoring. This manual is specifically aimed at guiding the reporting of information deriving from the year 2021.

Multi‐country outbreak of Salmonella Enteritidis sequence type (ST)11 infections linked to eggs and egg products – 8 February 2022

Abstract: On 2 September 2021, France reported an increase in Salmonella Enteritidis ST11 infections. By 11 January 2022, 272 confirmed cases had been reported in five European Union/European Economic Area (EU/EEA) countries and the United Kingdom (UK): Denmark (n=3), France (n=216), the Netherlands (n=12), Norway (n=7), Spain (n=22), and the UK (n=12) in 2021. Two deaths were recorded in adult men. Twenty-five cases were hospitalised. Sixty cases reported consumption of eggs/egg products. Some cases reported in France in 2021 had visited restaurants serving eggs distributed by a common supplier, Spanish Packing Centre A. The eggs originated from three Spanish farms, one testing positive for the outbreak strain. Fresh table eggs from the farms linked to the outbreak were withdrawn and redirected for use in heattreated egg products. No other countries received eggs from the same farms via Packing Centre A during summer 2021. Therefore, the source of infection for cases in late 2021 and in countries other than Spain and France could not be established. This 2021 outbreak is linked microbiologically to a historical cross-border outbreak reported by the Netherlands in 2019. Eggs consumed by cases in the Dutch outbreak were traced back to a Spanish farm, but it was not possible to identify an epidemiological link with the 2021 outbreak. This suggests a wide distribution of the outbreak strain that could affect the food supply chain and/or earlier steps in the production chain. There may be multiple heterogeneous sources of S. Enteritidis ST11, and the outbreak strain could also be circulating at other farms, inside or outside Spain. The risk of new infections caused by the outbreak strain and contaminated eggs remains high in the EU/EEA. It is therefore important to foster cross-sectoral investigations of contaminations in the egg supply chain in countries where S. Enteritidis ST11 has been detected. JOINT OUTBREAK ASSESSMENT Salmonella Enteritidis ST11 infections linked to eggs and egg products – 8 February 2022

Report for 2020 on the results from the monitoring of veterinary medicinal product residues and other substances in live animals and animal products

Abstract: The report summarises the monitoring data generated in 2020 in the frame of official control activities on the presence of residues of veterinary medicinal products and certain substances in live animals and animal products in the European Union, Iceland and Norway. A total of 620,758 samples for nearly 13 million single analytical results were reported to the European Commission by the 27 EU Member States, Iceland and Norway; of those samples, 331,789 were targeted samples and 4,259 suspect samples reported under Council Directive 96/23/EC, while 2,551 samples were collected at import and 282,159 samples tested in the framework of programmes developed under the national legislation. The majority of countries fulfilled the minimum requirements for sampling frequency laid down in Council Directive 96/23/EC and in Commission Decision 97/747/EC. Overall, the percentage of non-compliant samples in 2020 (0.19%) was lower compared to 2019 (0.30%), but also compared to the previous 11 years (0.25%-0.37%). The same overall pattern was observed for targeted samples in 2020 (0.27%) compared to the previous 3 years (0.30%-0.35%). Compared to the results from 2017, 2018 and 2019, in 2020 the frequency of non-compliant results was decreased for antithyroid agents, steroids and resorcylic acid lactones. For prohibited substances, compared to 2019 the frequency on non-compliance in 2020 was higher, although lower compared to 2017 and 2018. For chemical elements (including metals), compared to 2017 and 2019, the frequency on non-compliance in 2020 was lower, although higher compared to 2018. Decreases were noted for anthelmintics, organochlorine compounds, organophosphorus compounds, dyes and ‘other substances’, compared to 2017, 2018 and 2019 results. For anticoccidials, non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs), ‘other pharmacologically active substances’ and mycotoxins, compared to 2019 the frequency on non-compliance was higher while lower for other substances and environmental contaminants. For the other substance groups, there were no notable variations.

ApisRAM Formal Model Description

Abstract: The ApisRAM model is an agent-based colony model for honey bees in which each bee is modelled as an individual agent. The behaviour of the colony emerges from the decisions and actions taken by individuals in the colony and the interactions between agents. The bees interact with, and react to, both other bees and the resources in the colony, the hive physical and chemical properties, and the environment outside the colony. A key feature of ApisRAM is the approach to representing bee health. This is a ‘vitality’ model which is used to integrate multiple stressors (unfavourable temperature, food shortage, infectious agents and pesticides) for each individual bee. The vitality of each model bee interacts with all the four stressors. The environment in which the colony is modelled is implemented as a dynamic landscape simulation within ALMaSS (the Animal Landscape and Man Simulation System). The ALMaSS landscape model is a spatially and temporally dynamic model which combines land use, detailed farm practices, weather, crop growth, semi-natural habitats, and flower resource models. With the combination of the colony and landscape models, the ApisRAM model provides a framework for in silico experiments, e.g., pesticides applications, designed to explore the effects of combined stressors on honey bee colonies under a variety of environmental and human (e.g. beekeeping management practices) factors.