JECFAs

The Joint FAO/WHO Expert Committee on Food Additives, commonly known as JECFA, is an international scientific expert committee. It is jointly administered by the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) and the World Health Organization (WHO). JECFA's primary role is to provide independent scientific advice on food additives, contaminants, and naturally occurring toxicants in food. Its evaluations inform national regulatory bodies and international standard-setting organizations, such as the Codex Alimentarius Commission, which develops international food standards, guidelines, and codes of practice.

JECFA evaluates the safety of food additives by reviewing available toxicological data. It establishes acceptable daily intakes (ADIs) for food additives, which represent the amount that can be consumed daily over a lifetime without appreciable health risk. The committee also assesses potential risks from contaminants in food, such as heavy metals and pesticides, and addresses issues related to naturally occurring toxins in food. JECFA meetings are held periodically, bringing together international experts to discuss and evaluate scientific evidence. The outcomes of these evaluations are published in reports and scientific guidelines, contributing to global food safety.