1. MICROBIAL RISK ANALYSIS FOR RISK MANAGERS WORKSHOP
FAO/ILSI
Accra, Ghana
October 30 – November 2, 2017

2. Food-borne illnesses; a major public health problem
Foodborne illness (also foodborne disease and colloquially referred to as food poisoning) is any illness resulting from the food spoilage of contamination of food by pathogenic bacteria, viruses, or parasites.
Globally almost 1/10 people will fall ill from food-borne disease
Worldwide, an estimated 760,000 children < 5 die annually of diarrheal disease with most originating from contaminated food and drinking water
Everyone is at risk from food-borne illness

3. Important microbial food borne pathogens

4. Role of government - Food Control Systems
International Food Safety Agreements and Standards
Agreement on the application of Sanitary and Phytosanitary measures (SPS) - WTO
Agreement on Technical Barriers to Trade (TBT) -WTO
Codex Alimentarius – FAO/WHO Joint Food Standards Program
Role of government - Food Control Systems
Role of Food Industry
Provide food which is safe and suitable for consumption
Ensure that consumers have clear and easily understood information
Maintain confidence in internationally traded foods
Establishment of food law and regulations
Food control management
Inspection/assessment functions
Laboratory services – food monitoring and disease surveillance
Training, communication with industry and consumers
Role of consumers
Follow relevant instructions and appropriate food hygiene measures

5. Risk Analysis
A tool that all governments/food safety authorities can use to make significant gains in food safety
It can be used to:
Develop an estimate of the risks to human health and safety
Identify and implement appropriate measures to control the risks
Communicate the risk and measures applied to stakeholders
Support and improve the development of standards
Address food emergencies that result from emerging hazards or break down in food control systems
Risk analysis has become the cornerstone in developing food control measures by linking epidemiological and laboratory findings with modeling procedures to estimate risks and their mitigation

6. RISK ANALYSIS FRAMEWORK - Codex

7. What Risk Analysis Tries to Address
Risk Communication questions (science plus economical, social and ethical values):
Who are the stakeholders?
What are we trying to communicate - information out or input in?
What level of technicality should be discussed - assessors to managers/managers to other managers/managers to the industry and public?
How much time do we allow for this process?
What degree of dialog do we allow?
How much does risk perception of an issue affect the communication process?

8. What Risk Analysis Tries to Address
Risk Assessment questions (science):
What could go wrong?
How likely is it to happen?
Who would be affected?
How severe would the consequences be?
What populations are affected?
What can we do that will reduce risk?

9. What Risk Analysis Tries to Address
Risk Management questions (science plus policy issues):
What are the most effective and acceptable policies to reduce risk to acceptable levels - choosing management options which may include doing nothing?
When instituted, how well have these policies worked – implement an evaluation and review process?

10. RISK ASSESSMENT – a process to scientifically evaluate the probability of occurrence and severity of known or potential adverse health effect resulting from human exposure to foodborne hazards
RISK MANAGEMENT– a process to weigh policy alternative in light of the results of risk assessment and, if required, to select and implement appropriate control option
RISK COMMUNICATION – a process to exchange information and opinions interactively among risk assessors, risk managers and other interested parties

11. Risk Analysis is key to setting up Public Health Goals relating to food safetyRA
FSO-PO-ALOP
Government level
Public health goals and standards
HACCP
Operational level
GHPs/GMPs/GAPs

12. Next step – Preliminary MRM activities
Identify problem
Hazards/foods combination
Risk ranking – on the basis of public health criteria
Risk profile - comprehensive description of food safety problem
Evaluate risk profile results

13. Next step – Knowledge sharing
Organize a workshop on MRA for sharing of knowledge and skills acquired
Participants should include risk managers from NPHIL, MOCI, MOA and other relevant stakeholders
Upon completion of workshop, preliminary MRM activities should be initiated

14. THANKS FOR YOUR ATTENTION