Pilot of an alternative engagement format to complement public consultations

Abstract A pilot was carried out in order to test new ways of engaging with stakeholders alongside traditional public consultations. The project focused on the European Food Safety Authority (EFSA)'s upcoming scientific opinion on plant lectins in food. This initiative aimed to enhance transparency, inclusiveness, and scientific quality of stakeholder contributions, addressing misconceptions and supporting mutual understanding of risk communication strategies. The pilot involved a targeted interactive public hearing using engagement tools to encourage participation and gather technically informed input. Insights from EFSA staff revealed that the hearing worked well especially in terms of engagement and moderation, although improvements were suggested for interactivity and handling participant questions. Stakeholder feedback indicated a positive experience, with suggestions for more discussion time. The report also looks at other EFSA experiences with complementary engagement methods, including work on risk‐benefit assessment guidance, food additive, and animal welfare. These cases demonstrate the adaptability and effectiveness of structured, interactive formats in enhancing scientific assessment. The report introduces a decision tree and criteria for identifying suitable complementary formats based on topic nature, stakeholder interest, and the timing of the consultation.