EFSA guidance on characterisation and risk assessment of microorganisms used in the food chain

A milestone for food safety science – guidance on microorganisms in food!

Back in January, the Domino EU consortium came together to respond to the European Food Safety Authority (EFSA) public consultation on the draft guidance for “Characterisation and risk assessment of microorganisms used in the food chain”.

This was a collaborative effort that reflected our shared commitment to shaping science-based standards for food safety and the important role of microorganisms in the EU food sector.

Fast forward to November 2025: EFSA has published its final guidance. DOMINO is proud to be listed among 38 stakeholders who contributed to this process, submitting part of the 760 comments that informed the final document.

Why does this matter?

Microorganisms—whether used as probiotics, fermentation agents, or production strains—are invaluable agents of innovation for food and feed. Ensuring their safe use is critical for consumer trust and regulatory clarity.

EFSA’s guidance now provides a harmonised framework for risk assessment of microorganisms in the food value chain. This milestone underscores the critical role of microorganisms in our food system and the importance of ensuring their safe and effective application— marking a key moment in microbiome-based science for industry and consumers!

We’re looking forward to seeing how these guidelines will shape the future of microbial applications in food and feed.

Read EFSA’s full guidance.