Conflicts of interest at the European Food Safety Authority erode public confidence.

Decision Making Pr; Environmental Health; Ethics; Health Policy; Policy; Europe; Government Regulation; Humans; Conflict of Interest; Food Safety; Public Opinion; Trust; Epidemiology; Public Health, Environmental and Occupational Health

Abstract :

[en] The article examines conflicts of interest within the European Food Safety Authority (EFSA) and their impact on public trust. It highlights concerns over the influence of industry-linked experts in EFSA's scientific evaluations, particularly in cases related to genetically modified organisms (GMOs) and pesticides. The report further exposes revolving doors between EFSA and the agrochemical industry, showing that some experts responsible for risk assessments have ties to companies benefiting from favorable decisions. The authors advocate for stricter independence rules, more transparency, and a re-evaluation of EFSA’s scientific integrity to restore public confidence.

Disciplines :

Sociology & social sciences
Communication & mass media

Author, co-author :

Robinson, Claire; Earth Open Source, London, UK. claire.robinson@earthopensource.org

Holland, Nina; Corporate Europe Observatory, Brussels, Belgium

Leloup, David ; Corporate Europe Observatory, Brussels, Belgium

Muilerman, Hans; Pesticide Action Network Europe, Brussels, Belgium

Language :

English

Title :

Conflicts of interest at the European Food Safety Authority erode public confidence.

Publication date :

September 2013

Journal title :

Journal of Epidemiology and Community Health

ISSN :

0143-005X

eISSN :

1470-2738

Publisher :

BMJ Publishing Group, England

Volume :

Issue :

Pages :

717 - 720

Peer reviewed :

Peer Reviewed verified by ORBi

Additional URL :

https://syndication.highwire.org/content/doi/10.1136/jech-2012-202185

Available on ORBi :

since 29 March 2025

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Bibliography

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