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

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

Important microbial food borne pathogens

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

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

RISK ANALYSIS FRAMEWORK - Codex

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?

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?

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?

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

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

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

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

THANKS FOR YOUR ATTENTION