In a year in which the Parma, Italy-based risk assessor published 200 scientific opinions, guidance documents and reports and 1000 assessments or re-assessments of food additives and pesticides, EFSA said it was pursuing a policy of "transparency and independence".
More than 50 per cent of its 300+ workforce was engaged in scientific work.
To better cope with its increased workload that continues to build with the legislation such as the nutrition and health claims regulation coming into play, EFSA had put in place two Directorates - one to focus on the core activity of risk assessment, the other two support this work develop scientific cooperation.
In this direction a scheme to recruit more scientists on an ad hoc basis was launched this year to cope with the extra tasks.
"In 2007 EFSA continued to implement its risk communications strategy of enhanced coherence, simplicity and visibility," EFSA said in a summary of the report.
"This strategy of communicating its scientific advice to its principal clients, stakeholders and the public at large, helps bridge the gap between science and the consumer, and contributes to building public confidence in the way risks are assessed."
A renovated, easier-to-use website that drew 1.5m visitors over the year had formed part of this strategy.
EFSA also celebrated its 5th birthday in 2007, a period that saw its resources increased significantly with its budget increasing from €40.2m in 2006 to €52.2m in 2007, when more than two thirds was spent on scientific work. The budget is €66.8m in 2008.
The globalisation of food law was also recognised as EFSA signed its first formal international agreement with the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA).
Under the agreement the two regulators agreed to share non-public information to facilitate "scientific cooperation in food safety risk assessments."
Working more closely with European Union member states was also a priority and networks had been established between EFSA and various national food authorities.
"We live in a 'global village', where pathogens and contaminants do not respect national boundaries, therefore no Member State, or country, can be complacent about food safety as we are increasingly dependent on each other," said Professor Patrick Wall, chairman of the EFSA Management Board.
"To this end I commend the EFSA executive for building relationships with national agencies within the EU and with other international organisations with a similar remit to EFSA."
