European Food Safety Authority as the source of information on food and nutrition
Authors: Gacparska Marta , Panczyk Mariusz , Traczyk Iwona 
Published: December 2018

European Food Safety Authority (EFSA) was set up by the European Union that operates independently of the European legislative and executive institutions (Commission, Council, Parliament) and EU Member States. It was established in 2002 to be a source of scientific advice and communication on risks associated with the food chain. European Food Safety Authority is responsible for risk assessment, and also has a duty to communicate its scientific findings to the public. It produces scientific opinions and advice that constitute the basis for European policies and legislation. It also play an important role in collecting and analysing data to ensure that European risk assessment is supported by the most comprehensive scientific information available. Thus, it is the treasure trove for present and future public health specialists and nutritionists. Since 29 February 2008 when the Polish EFSA Focal Point was established at the Chief Sanitary Inspectorate EFSA’s word has become potentially more reachable for Polish consumers and entrepreneurs. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the knowledge of university students of public health, dietetics and other disciplines related to human nutrition on EFSA’s objective and scope of its operation as well as to assess EFSA as a potential source of information for them. The study was carried out using the CAWI method from June to November 2017 among 201 students of public health (68 students) and faculties related to human nutrition (133 students). Among them, 85% of public health students did not work and 82% of students of faculties related to human nutrition neither did. The most of public health students were in their fourth year and among students of faculties related to human nutrition a group in third year the accounted for the greatest part. Results were analysed using configure frequency analysis (CFA) and χ2 test. Results indicate that 41% of public health student and 11% of students of human nutrition related faculties did not know EFSA at the moment of participation in the study. In both groups of public health students and students of human nutrition related faculties, more participants were not encouraged by the university to use information published by EFSA (respectively 87 and 63%). Only 4% of public health students and 38% of students of faculties related to human nutrition did use at least once information published by EFSA. The most often indicated cause of not using EFSA’s resources was lack of awareness of possibility to explore it (62%). In general, more students of faculties related to human nutrition did know EFSA’s activities, were encouraged to use its information and were interested in Polish fanpage of EFSA than public health students. The knowledge of students about EFSA and the possibility of using its resources is insuffi cient. It is reasonable to include EFSA-related topics in the study program of public health faculty and human nutrition-related faculties in order to better familiarize students with EFSA resources and show them what tools and opportunities they offer in their academic and professional life.