The Food Safety Authority has announced its new scientific committee which will provide scientific advice and expertise on all aspects of food safety and nutrition.
The committee, appointed by the Tánaiste Mary Harney, will outline a number of key areas in food safety and hygiene that will be the focus of in-depth research.
This includes nutrition labelling, control strategies for harmful bacteria in the food chain, approval of novel foods for marketing in Ireland, the use of additives in foods, the risks posed by chemical contaminants in the diet, and the controls to avoid risks associated with BSE infection in cattle.
Dr John O'Brien, Chief Executive, FSAI, said the experts on the committee are leaders in their fields and he looks forward to working with them to ensure that decisions continue to be led by the best scientific evidence.
The chairperson of the 15 member committee is Professor Albert Flynn of University College, Cork, who is also a member of the European Food Safety Authority's Scientific Committee.
