EFSA assesses the safety of biological agents in the applications it receives for market authorisation of feed additives, food additives, food enzymes, food flavourings, novel foods and plant protection products. This process was simplified by the introduction of a qualified presumption of safety status.

In summary, EFSA uses existing knowledge about the safety of specific microbes proposed for use in the food chain, to differentiate those which are not of concern (and can be given QPS status) from those which may represent a risk and should be subject to a full safety assessment. During the QPS assessment, taxonomic identity, body of knowledge and potential safety concerns are assessed. Some biological groups are excluded from QPS assessment based on ambiguous taxonomic position, or the possession of potentially harmful traits.

If a hazard related to a taxonomic unit (TU), e.g. species, that can be tested at the strain or product level is identified, a qualification to exclude that hazard may be assigned.

The QPS list is updated every 6 months. More information about QPS, qualifications assigned to specific TUs, and the most up to date QPS list are available on the EFSA website.

Our culture collection includes many strains that fall within the taxonomic units included in the EFSA QPS list. If you are looking for strains from species included in the list you can search the NCIMB catalogue using the taxon name or NCIMB number, or browse the listing below. If you would like more information about the strain or a quote to purchase, please refer to the catalogue entry for the strain or get in touch using the form on this page.

Please note that taxonomic units included in the QPS list still require safety assessment. EFSA released a statement on how to interpret the EFSA qualification on "acquired antimicrobial resistance genes", which states that the generic qualification "the strains should not harbour any acquired antimicrobial resistance genes to clinically relevant antimicrobials applies to all QPS bacterial TUs. Additional qualifications are listed for some TUs and these can be found by referring to the most up to date QPS list published on the EFSA website.

If a hazard related to a taxonomic unit that can be tested at the strain or product level is identified, a qualification to exclude that hazard may be assigned.

The QPS list is updated every 6 months. More information about QPS, qualifications assigned to specific taxonomic units, and the most up to date QPS list is available on the EFSA website.

At NCIMB we offer a range of services to support the development of products or processes that are based on the use of bacteria:

• Whole genome sequencing service
• Strain screening for known antimicrobial resistance genes and virulence factors.
• Storage of an offsite backup of your important strains.
• Patent deposits - NCIMB is an IDA under the Budapest Treaty
• Contract research services and projects for strain screening and assessment.

Get in touch to find out more.