Communicating food safety regulations and risk management - involvement and participation of consumers and other stakeholders

Abstract

The United States uses the information generated from food safety risk assessments to evaluate options and select strategies for managing identified risks. Risk management strategies often include new regulatory requirements, but also can include or consist of non-regulatory actions, such as voluntary efforts on the part of industry or consumer education initiatives. The US encourages and facilitates consumer and stakeholder participation in the development of risk management strategies. Further , in the development of new regulations, consumer and stakeholder participation is guaranteed by U.S. law. Food safety risks are communicated to the public though a variety of means, including public meetings, publications in the Federal Register, mailings to consumers and other stakeholders, and the Internet. The development of recently proposed regulations concerning the control of Listeria monocytogenes in ready-to-eat meat and poultry products provides a good example of how the US Depa rtment of Agriculture's Food Safety and Inspection Service facilitates public participation in risk management and rulemaking.