Nutrition Dictionary

EFSA (European Food Safety Authority)

EFSA (European Food Safety Authority) is an independent source of scientific advice and communication on the risks associated with the food chain in the European Union (EU). They are committed to ensuring food safety and consumer protection in Europe. It covers food and feed safety, nutrition, animal health and welfare and plant protection and health. EFSA gets involved in EU policy-making processes, for example, in approval of pesticides and food additives, or developing new regulatory frameworks and policies in the field of nutrition.
Energy

The food we eat provides calories that release energy in our body. This energy is needed for normal body functions like breathing, digesting the food we eat and performing our daily activities. Daily energy requirements differ depending on age, sex, body weight, height and activity levels. Average daily needs for men are about 2000-2500 calories and women about 1800-2000 calories.
Essential Fatty Acids

Essential fatty acids are types of fat that are needed for proper function and development but need to come from the diet as they cannot be made by the body. There are two essential fatty acids – linoleic acid (an omega-6 fatty acid) and alpha-linolenic acid (an omega-3 fatty acid). Good sources of linoleic acid include polyunsaturated oils and some nuts (e.g. walnuts) and some seeds (e.g. sesame). Good sources of linolenic acid include canola oil, flaxseed and walnuts.