The Committee on Toxicity of Chemicals in Food, Consumer Products and the Environment (COT) is a UK independent scientific committee that provides advice to the

Food Standards Agency The Food Standards Agency is a non-ministerial government department of the Government of the United Kingdom. It is responsible for protecting public health in relation to food in England, Wales and Northern Ireland. It is led by a board appoin ...

, the

Department of Health A health department or health ministry is a part of government which focuses on issues related to the general health of the citizenry. Subnational entities, such as states, counties and cities, often also operate a health department of their o ...

and other government departments and agencies on matters concerning the

toxicity Toxicity is the degree to which a chemical substance or a particular mixture of substances can damage an organism. Toxicity can refer to the effect on a whole organism, such as an animal, bacteria, bacterium, or plant, as well as the effect o ...

of chemicals. It has a number of working groups that publish reports, e.g. previously on

phytoestrogen A phytoestrogen is a plant-derived xenoestrogen (a type of estrogen produced by organisms other than humans) not generated within the endocrine system, but consumed by eating plants or manufactured foods. Also called a "dietary estrogen", it ...

s. It also works with other scientific advisory committees to develop new guidance, for example for the integration of epidemiological and toxicological evidence. Pharmacologist Frank Woods was made a

Commander of the Order of the British Empire The Most Excellent Order of the British Empire is a British order of chivalry, rewarding valuable service in a wide range of useful activities. It comprises five classes of awards across both civil and military divisions, the most senior two o ...

(CBE) in the 2001 Birthday Honours, for services to the committee. The current chair is toxicologist Professor Alan Boobis.

References

Toxicology in the United Kingdom Toxicology organizations {{med-toxic-stub