More often than not, controversy produces reform. Nowhere is this more true than in the regulations of the safe production of food. The publication of the White Paper on Food Safety in early 2000 marked the beginning of the modern era of food safety law. That paper promised enactment of a new fundamental law which ultimately became the General Food Law (178/2002). It also promised the establishment of The European Food Safety Authority (EFSA). EFSA was required to be an independent point of scientific reference for the European Union. EFSA has provided that function to a very high standard for the consumers of the European Union and for all stakeholders in the food chain.