A FAO/WHO expert consultation on principles and guidelines for incorporating microbiological risk assessment in the development of food safety standards, guidelines and related texts[1] was held in Kiel, Germany from 18-22 March 2002. The consultation was hosted by the Institute for Hygiene and Food Safety of the Federal Dairy Research Centre in collaboration with the German Ministry for Consumer Protection, Food and Agriculture, and the Federal Institute for Health Protection of Consumers and Veterinary Medicine.
The consultation was opened by Dr Hans Bohm, Head of the Division of Food Hygiene in the Federal Ministry for Consumer Protection, Food and Agriculture, who reinforced the importance of risk assessment in the design and implementation of food safety measures for microbiological hazards. In noting that food-borne risks to consumers was a global issue of ever-increasing importance, he welcomed participation of experts from a wide range of countries.
The consultation elected Dr Roger Skinner as chairperson of the consultation and Dr Kaye Wachsmuth as rapporteur. In his opening remarks, Dr Skinner requested that the consultation pay due attention to the practical experience already gained at the national and international level, and include reference to the problems that developing countries may face in applying principles and guidelines for the effective utilization of quantitative microbiological risk assessment (MRA).
A key message from an earlier expert consultation on "The Interaction between Assessors and Managers of Microbiological Hazards in Foods"[2] was that effective management of food-borne hazards to human health required on-going interaction and communication between all interested parties. Dr. Skinner pointed out that incorporation of guidance on communication and interaction between all interested parties at all stages of risk management was essential.
A total of 25 experts from 19 countries participated in the consultation (Annex I). The consultation was supported by a number of working papers on risk assessment and risk management of food-borne microbiological hazards. Short papers on practical experience at the national level, and particular challenges faced by developing countries, were also presented (Annex II).
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[1] Hereafter, the term
"standards" will be considered to include guidelines and related texts [2] The Interaction between Assessors and Managers of Microbiological Hazards in Food. Report of a WHO Expert Consultation, Kiel, Germany, 21-23 March 2000. WHO 2000. |
