Thumbnail Image

The application of risk communication to food standards and safety matters

Year of publication 1999

Pages 44 p.

Author Nutrition Division

Publisher FAO ;

Product type Book (stand-alone)

Series title FAO Food and Nutrition Paper

Series number 0254-4725|1014-2908

Edition 1

Synopsis (short abstract) Risk communication was defined by the March 1995 Consultation on the Application of Risk Analysis to Food Safety Issues as “an interactive process of exchange of information and opinion on risk among risk assessors, risk managers, and other interested parties”. The practical application of risk communication in relation to food safety involves all aspects of communications among risk assessors, risk managers and the public. This includes the mechanisms of delivery; message content; timeliness of the communication; the availability and use of supporting materials and information; and the purpose, credibility and meaningfulness of the communication. With increased public concern regarding food safety, greater demands are placed on risk communicators to involve the public and other interested parties in an interactive dialogue and to explain the magnitude and severity of risks associated with foodborne hazards in clear and comprehensible terms that convey credibility and trustworthin ess. This requires communicators to recognize and overcome gaps in knowledge as well as obstacles inherent in the uncertainties of scientific risk assessment.

Language English

Also available in:

Related items

Showing items related by metadata.

  • Thumbnail Image
    Brochure, flyer, fact-sheet
    Highlight: Improving food safety risk communication 2015
    Also available in:
    No results found.
    Recent global, regional and national food-borne disease outbreaks and large food recalls have had adverse impacts on consumer confidence in the safety of the food supply and agri-food production and trade. Post-event analysis of such events has indicated a need for more effective use of risk communication principles and practices. This document decribes the importance of effective risk communication in food safety, and highlights a new training package and handbook developed jointly by FAO and W HO to support countries, national food safety authorities, and food chain stakeholders globally in establishing or enhancing risk communication practice and capacity in the food safety sector. The full set of Highlights on FAO food safety and quality activities is available at the following Url: http://www.fao.org/3/a-au638e/index.html.
  • Thumbnail Image
    Meeting
    Ensuring efficient communication and interaction between food safety risk assessors and risk managers 2002
    Also available in:
    The experts of the WHO Expert Consultation submitted the following principal comments: 1. Food Safety Authorities in Member Countries should structure their food safety system(s) on a risk-based approach that includes appropriate communication and interaction between risk assessors, risk managers, and stakeholders. 2. The functional separation of risk assessment and risk management is essential to the conduct of risk analysis activities. 3. Independence, transparency, and robustness o f the scientific analyses and advice are essential determinants of their credibility. Nonetheless, effective dialogue among risk assessors, risk managers, and other stakeholders is essential to maximize the utility of the assessment findings and to ensure that both scientific and societal goals are met. Concerning the interactions between risk managers and risk assessors, the terminology adopted or under discussion of the FAO/WHO Codex Alimentarius Commission is used. The same applies to the d escription of risk analysis.
  • Thumbnail Image
    Booklet
    Training on Genetically Modified (GM) food safety assessment, risk communication and advocacies programme in Bhutan
    Technical summary report
    2018
    Also available in:
    No results found.
    Upon the official request of the Royal Government of the Kingdom of Bhutan, a national training workshop entitled “training on genetically modified (GM) food safety assessment, risk communication and advocacies programme” was co-organized by the Bhutan Agriculture and Food Regulatory Authority (BAFRA) and the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) on 23 – 27 July 2018 in Thimphu, Bhutan. The objectives of the workshop were to provide: 1) an understanding of the relevant rules and regulations concerning GMOs and GM products in Bhutan; 2) an understanding of the internationally accepted principles of GM food safety assessment, risk management and risk communication and information on challenges involved in enacting these principles; 3) an understanding of the required expertise and types of experts for undertaking GM food safety assessments so that possible shortcomings in assessment capacity/resources in Bhutan could be identified; 4) hands-on experience in extracting relevant safety information from condensed GM food case studies and presenting the information in a simple and concise way; 5) general information about biosafety and biotechnology in the international arena with particular emphasis on communication; and 6) a way forward for BAFRA to conduct any suggested follow up activities.
Show more

Users also downloaded

Showing related downloaded files

No results found.