EFSA consulted interested parties on its statement on how to conduct and describe the whole genome sequence (WGS) based analysis of microorganisms used in the food chain. The scope of this document is to provide recommendations to applicants on how to describe the analysis and results of WGS-based characterisation of microorganisms. These data should be submitted to EFSA and used in the risk assessment of microoganisms to be used in the food chain as such or as production strains of substances of interest.

The consultation received 37 contributions, including IPA, IPA Europe, EuropaBio, IBMA​ as well as other public bodies and private companies.

The resulting document provides guidelines for microorganism extraction, data quality control, library construction, sequencing strategy, De novo assembly and annotation, identification of microorganisms, data reporting, and more.

To know more about EFSA and public consultation: https://www.efsa.europa.eu/en/consultations/call/public-consultation-efsa-statement-requirements-whole-genome