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 , type = Non-ministerial government department , nativename = , nativename_a = , nativename_r = , logo = Food Standards Agency.svg , logo_width = , logo_caption = , seal = , seal_width = , seal_caption = , picture = , picture_width = , ...

, 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, bacterium, or plant, as well as the effect on a su ...

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

Phytoestrogen A phytoestrogen is a plant-derived xenoestrogen (see estrogen) not generated within the endocrine system, but consumed by eating plants or manufactured foods. Also called a "dietary estrogen", it is a diverse group of naturally occurring nonstero ...

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 (CBE) in the

2001 Birthday Honours The Queen's Birthday Honours 2001 was announced on 16 June 2001 for the United Kingdom (including Northern Ireland), New Zealand (4 June), Australia (11 June), Barbados, Bahamas, Grenada, Papua New Guinea, Solomon Islands, Tuvalu, Saint Lucia, Sai ...

, for services to the committee. The current Chair is the toxicologist Professor Alan Boobis.

References

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