NOFORISK - Quantitative Risk Assessment Strategies for Novel Foods

The overall objective of this project is to develop and validate the scientific methodology which is necessary for quantitative risk assessment of "second generation" of novel foods to be marketed in EU in accordance with the EU Regulation 258/97 of 27 January 1997 concerning novel foods and novel food ingredients. The project is designed to address both the risk assessment (including hazard identification, hazard characterization, exposure assessment and risk characterization) and the risk/benefit equation.

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The specific objectives are to:
<Ol> <LI> Develop and validate the new methodologies for assessing the safety, the nutritional properties and the efficacy for health promotion of 3 different types of "second generation" novel foods, exemplarily a genetically modified potato with altered levels of inherent toxicants (glycoalkaloids), a conventionally bred rice with genetically lowered level of an anti-nutrient (phytic acid) and 2 functional food ingredients of natural origin (phytosterol esters). <LI>Exploit the use of genomic and profiling techniques for characterisation of the novel foods as well as for the development of sensitive and specific biomarkers in the in-vivo and in-vitro studies, as the basis for the hazard characterization.<LI>Exploit a recipe database and software code built upon specially designed conceptual models and algorithms for probabilistic modelling of population exposure to the 3 types of novel foods.<LI> Establish a quantitative risk/benefit equation based on probabilist ic modelling of the biological data and the exposure data addressing the problems / advantages as perceived by the public. <LI> Communicate the findings of the project to consumers and other stakeholders based upon an indicative consumer survey.