FAO Technical Meeting Report on the Gut Microbiome in Food Safety Chemical Risk Assessment

From December 12 to 14, 2023, FAO convened a Technical Meeting on Gut Microbiome in Food Safety Chemical Risk Assessment. This meeting brought together experts from diverse regions and disciplines, including toxicologists and specialists in microbial ecology, all engaged in chemical risk assessments and microbiome research programs, to deliberate on pivotal aspects of the field.

The discussions focused on evaluating the suitability, gaps, and requirements of microbiome-related data for chemical risk assessments, as well as examining microbiome-host interactions and their biological significance. Throughout the meeting, the experts outlined the necessary conditions and developments for integrating various gut microbiome data into chemical risk assessments. These were classified into three primary areas: definitions, research, and methodological and analytical standardization.

The participants also underscored significant challenges in incorporating microbiome data into the risk assessment of regulated substances.
These insights aim to enhance food safety chemical risk assessment practices by incorporating recent scientific advances, where applicable.