The European Food Safety Authority (EFSA) has unveiled an update to its Qualified Presumption of Safety (QPS) list, aiming to streamline the safety assessment of biological agents intentionally added to food and feed. This development, published on January 22, 2026, is poised to stir reactions across various interest groups including food and feed producers, consumers, regulatory authorities, and public health advocates, all weighing the balance between innovation, safety, and regulatory oversight.
This update is detailed in a Scientific Opinion published by EFSA's BIOHAZ Panel, which focuses on biological hazards and antimicrobial resistance. The document, adopted on December 3, 2025, provides a comprehensive review of new notifications and revises safety qualifications for microorganisms in the food chain.
The Scientific Opinion is an authoritative assessment rather than binding legislation. It contains concrete updates including the recognition of bacteriophages as eligible for QPS status at the species level—previously excluded—and the addition of new microorganisms subject to specific safety qualifications such as "for production purposes only" or "absence of toxigenic activity." It also revises how concerns related to acquired antimicrobial resistance genes are interpreted, broadening certain qualifications to include production strains and biomass, and adjusting criteria for genetically modified microorganisms.
Following these updates, EFSA is clearly moving toward a more nuanced framework that supports innovation in food additives and novel foods while enhancing consumer protection, particularly regarding antimicrobial resistance and toxin production risks. The inclusion of bacteriophages marks a shift toward embracing biotechnological tools in food safety management.
Producers in the food and feed sectors may benefit from clearer guidance and expanded acceptance of biological agents, potentially facilitating product development. However, they also face stricter scrutiny regarding safety qualifications that could impose additional compliance measures. Consumers and public health authorities gain from reinforced safety assessments aimed at reducing risks related to antimicrobial resistance and toxins, though some may be cautious about the increased use of genetically modified microorganisms and bacteriophages. National regulatory authorities will grapple with implementing these scientific standards into regulatory practice, balancing between harmonizing EU-wide safety benchmarks and addressing national food safety contexts.
This update represents a continuation of EFSA's ongoing efforts to harmonize safety evaluations while adapting to scientific advances. It sets the stage for further input from EU regulatory bodies and member states as the QPS list evolves, ensuring food and feed safety frameworks keep pace with innovation and risk assessment needs.
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