To the Press

The Norwegian Scientific Committee for Food Safety (VKM) is an interdisciplinary and scientifically independent committee that provides scientific assessments of food, food production and the environment.

What VKM does:

We prepare risk assessments, mainly commissioned by the Norwegian Food Safety Authority and the Norwegian Environment Agency. They use the assessments when preparing advice, granting permits, developing regulations, and providing information to the ministries.

We deliver scientific assessments, but our commissioners decide what happens next.

How We Are Organized:

VKM consists of a staffed Secretariat and approximately 120 committee members from across Scandinavia.

Members apply to work for VKM and their role here is additional to their primary jobs in various scientific and teaching institutions. They are appointed by several ministries. Appointment of members

When members undertake assignments for VKM, they are scientifically independent and participate based on their expertise. They do not represent the institution they are employed by. This is important when quoting them – are they being interviewed about a VKM report or in their capacity as their "day job"?

How the Committee and Working Groups Operate:

VKM does not conduct research itself but summarizes and assesses scientific articles and other published documents and data from around the world. Most of VKM's assessments are peer-reviewed before publication.

Therefore, many research results and other documentation form the basis for the conclusions; they are not based on individual research.

Stay Informed:

We publish web articles when we receive new assignments. Here you will also find the commissioning letter, which provides relevant information about the background of the assignment and what the client will use the assessment for. Here you will also find the planned publication date and the name of the person in the Secretariat who can provide you with more information.

When the report is finished, the result is published on vkm.no, along with contact information for the committee member who has been the scientific leader and spokesperson for the report.

Here you will find an overview of reports underway and published final reports:

Publications - Norwegian Scientific Committee for Food Safety

See more details here:

About VKM Report and VKM Bulletin

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