National food control systems assuring food safety

National food control systems assuring food safety

Conference Room Document proposed by the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations

Year of publication 2002

Place of publication Rome, Italy ;

Product type Meeting

Edition 1

Full item page

Synopsis (short abstract) The term "food safety" is understood by reference to those hazards that may make food injurious to the health of a consumer. There is universal agreement on the need for safe food. "Food Quality" refers to all the attributes that influence the value of a product to the consumer. Quality includes positive attributes such as origin, colour, texture, processing method for food, etc., as well as negative attributes such as adulteration, fraud, spoilage or contamination Conceptually, food safety is a sub-part and a sine-qua-non element of food quality. However, in practice, food safety and the other aspects of food quality are often considered separately. The distinction between safety and quality has implications for public policy and influences the nature and content of the food control system best suited to meet predetermined objectives. This paper discusses food safety issues only and considers appropriate infrastructures that are necessary to better assist in dealing with these problem s at national level, while giving due consideration to international developments in this field. This paper is based on the content of the FAO/WHO publication "Assuring Food Safety and Quality: Guidelines for Strengthening National Food Control Systems" as recently revised following a Joint FAO/WHO Expert Consultation.

Meeting symbol GF CRD FAO-1

Language English

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