The European Food Safety Authority (EFSA), an agency of the European Union, began operating in 2002. Its permanent home is in Parma, Italy.Its primary responsibility is to provide independent scientific advice on all matters concerning food safety. The Authority assesses risks to the food chain and carries out scientific assessment on any matter that may affect the safety of food and feed in the European Union.The Authority’s work covers the whole food production process ‘from farm to fork’ — in other words from primary production (including the safety of animal feed) to the supply of food to consumers. The remit of EFSA also includes animal health and welfare (both for food producing animals and experimental animals) and plant health and protection. The EFSA gathers information from around the world, keeping an eye on new developments in science. It shares its findings not only with experts and decision-makers but also with the general public. External linksEuropean Food Safety Authority