ABSTRACT
BRAFO, Benefit-Risk Analysis for Foods, was a European Commission project funded within Framework Six as a Specific Support Action and coordinated by ILSI Europe. BRAFO developed a tiered methodology for assessing the benefits and risks of foods and food components, utilising a quantitative, common scale for health assessment in higher tiers. A methodology group reviewed and assembled the methodologies available developing a guidance document that describes a tiered (‘stepwise’) approach for performing a risk and benefit assessment of foods. In parallel, three expert groups on natural foods, dietary interventions and heat processing applied the tiered approach to several case studies. Finally a consensus group reported on the implications of the experience gained during the development of the project for the further improvement.