Guidance to JECFA Experts on Systematic Literature Searches

Overview

There is increasing discussion on the use of systematic review methodology in chemical risk assessment. While it is difficult to apply such rigorous methodology on a routine basis for broad risk assessment questions as they are addressed by JECFA, there are elements that can improve transparency, objectivity and reproducibility of the work undertaken by experts. One of these elements is undertaking and documenting literature searches in a more systematic manner. This document is a brief guidance on how to undertake such literature searches in the context of JECFA work.