Title
The role of hazard- and risk-based approaches in ensuring food safety
Author
Barlow, S.M.
Boobis, A.R.
Bridges, J.
Cockburn, A.
Dekant, W.
Hepburn, P.
Houben, G.F.
König, J.
Nauta, M.J.
Schuermans, J.
Bánáti, D.
Publication year
2015
Abstract
Background: Food legislation in the European Union and elsewhere includes both hazard- and risk-based approaches for ensuring safety. In hazard-based approaches, simply the presence of a potentially harmful agent at a detectable level in food is used as a basis for legislation and/or risk management action. Risk-based approaches allow consideration of exposure in assessing whether there may be unacceptable risks to health. Scope and approach: The advantages and disadvantages of hazard- and risk-based approaches for ensuring the safety of food chemicals, allergens, ingredients and microorganisms were explored at an ILSI Europe workshop. Key findings and conclusions: It was concluded that both types of approach have their place, depending on the context. However, problems can arise when both types of approach are used in regulation by separate agencies that address different aspects of the same agent/substance present in food. This separation of decision-making can result in hazard-based restrictions on marketing and use, whereas risk-based assessments for those exposed show there is reasonable certainty no harm will result. This in turn can lead to contradictory, confusing and ultimately unnecessary actions. Use of hazard-based approaches for foods also means that comparisons with benefits for nutrition and food security cannot be undertaken. This has the potential to lead to bias in the overall conclusions of regulators and risk managers, who may not have been presented with the benefits of particular foods. The value of risk-based approaches is becoming increasingly recognised. © 2015 ILSI Europe A.I.S.B.L.
Subject
Life
RAPID - Risk Analysis for Products in Development
ELSS - Earth, Life and Social Sciences
Food and Nutrition
Safety
Healthy Living
Food chemicals
Allergens
Chemical hazards
Decision making
Food microbiology
Food safety
Food supply
Hazards
Health risks
Laws and legislation
Microbiology
Microorganisms
Risk assessment
Risk management
Safety engineering
European union
Food allergen
Food legislation
Risk based approaches
Risk-based assessments
Risks to health
Safety of food
Value of risk
Chemical contamination
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http://resolver.tudelft.nl/uuid:5197a204-14ac-41cb-8d0d-8a90d8ce7537
DOI
https://doi.org/10.1016/j.tifs.2015.10.007
TNO identifier
529836
ISSN
0924-2244
Source
Trends in Food Science and Technology, 46 (2), 176-188
Document type
article