The European Food Safety Authority will be providing strict instructions for food manufacturers wishing to obtain authorisation for the use of microbes in the food chain. The new document 'EFSA Statement on the requirements for whole-genome sequence analysis of microorganisms intentionally used in the food chain' is still only in its draft form at present. The document will guide applicants, who wish to place products on the market made with microorganisms, on how to carry out a comprehensive risk assessment. EFSA  is asking for public consultation on this document, and the deadline for submitting comments is the 28th of February. Please click here for more information. 

This document will be part of a risk assessment on the microorganisms needed to be carried out by the applicant in the context of an application. The information provided by WGS can provide taxonomic information of the strains, and functional traits of concern, i.e. virulence factors and antimicrobial resistance.