The EFSA is an organization that uses scientific advice from leading experts in the field of nutrition to protect consumers, animals and the environment from food-related risks. Created in 2002, the EFSA is autonomously funded and operates independently of EU legislative and executive institutions, including the European Commission, throughout the EU Member states. As part of its functions, the EFSA reviews the latest scientific evidence sorrounding all aspects of the food industry and communicates updates to keep consumers informed and protected.

Dr Torsten Bohn, Group leader of the Nutrition and Health Research team of the Department of Population Health at the Luxembourg Institute of Health (LIH), agreed to become part of the EFSA Panel on Nutrition, Novel Foods and Food Allergens (NDA) starting in July 2021. During the last regular renewal of panel members, over 1000 applications were received for the 170 panel positions (2018);  the appointment of Dr Bohn is therefore an unequivocal testament to his noteworthy experience in the field.

In this extremely prestigious four-year role, Dr Bohn will meet with the panel regularly to discuss and make recommendations on applications that include novel foods (such as pasteurised gut bacteria, or even powdered crickets), health claims, foods for special population groups (such as infant formulae) and also propose dietary reference values for specific nutrients. Their recommendations will be published regularly in the well-known EFSA Journal.