Safe food union: BfR and SFA sign cooperation agreement

The Singapore Food Agency (SFA) and the German Federal Institute for Risk Assessment (BfR) have signed a Joint Declaration of Intent (JDI) with the goal to enhance cooperation in the area of emerging scientific developments in food safety.

“The topic of food safety is constantly growing and evolving. For us, this means that our research must also continuously expand and improve. We are delighted that we will now be tackling this challenge together with the National Centre for Food Science in Singapore Food Agency and will benefit from each other’s expertise,” said Professor Dr Tanja Schwerdtle, Vice President of the BfR.

“Both the German Federal Institute for Risk Assessment and Singapore Food Agency share an understanding that food safety is an important field to strengthen cooperation in. We are optimistic that this collaboration can help to strengthen food safety science and risk assessment in both countries,” said Dr Tan Lee Kim, SFA’s Director-General (Food Administration) and Deputy Chief Executive Officer.

With the signing of the JDI, a multi-year work plan was also defined, which envisages cooperation in various subject areas. SFA and BfR want to work together to close research and data gaps. The cooperation will ensure a continuous exchange of knowledge, which will lead to progress and innovation in food safety science research.

The signing will be followed by scientific exchange between BfR and SFA scientists, during which joint projects will be discussed, including the safety of alternative proteins, emerging environmental contaminants affecting food supply, food contact materials and genetically modified food. The exchange was rounded off with a joint symposium on 19 April 2024. The culmination of these concerted efforts marks the commencement of this collaborative venture between SFA and BfR in the realm of food safety science.

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