International Developments in Food Safety Risk Management

1
International Developments in Food Safety Risk
Management

• Macro trends and implications
• Challenges in food safety
• New approaches to risk management
• Australian Centre of Excellence in food safety

• Martin Cole, China, September, 2003

2
International Trade in Food is IncreasingWorld
(US170bn-330bn, 1986-1995)Export Orientation -
Implications

• Safety is non-negotiable in international markets
• Important to be at the leading edge in food
  safety management
• Important to maintain a high level of awareness
  of emerging hazards
• Domestic and international standards must be
  compatible

3
Globalisation Implications

• International sourcing ? complex supply chains ?
  sophisticated management required
• Potential for large and widespread outbreaks
• Cross-border translocation of infectious agents
• International regulatory harmonisation essential

4
Changing Consumers - Implications

• Demographics
• More highly susceptible individuals (e.g. aged,
  immuno-compromised)
• Reduced food skills
• Lifestyle
• Greater period of time between food preparation
  and meal consumption
• Reduction in traditional preservation factors

5
Consumers are demanding miracle foods that are
totally natural, have zero calories, zero fats
and cholesterol, delicious taste, total
nutrition, low price, environmentally friendly
production, green packaging.and that
guarantee perfect bodies, romance and immortality
(Carol Brookins, Global Food and Agriculture
Summit, 1999)
6
Changing Patterns of Foodborne Disease
Then
Now
Traditional pathogens Emerging
pathogens Detected by group case Detected by
epidemiol. surveillance Usually a local
issue Widespread, international High
dose Low infective dose Organism readily
isolated Risk undetected by normal
culture Normal preservation May survive some
processes controls pathogen Low mortality,
susceptible High mortality, resistant to
antibiotics to antibiotics
7

Foods in International Trade

• GATT/WTOs Agreement on Sanitary and
  Phytosanitary Measures (SPS)
• Barriers to trade must be based on scientific
  evaluation of risk to human health.
• A rigorous scientific process is required for the
  establishment of rational harmonized regulations
  and standards for food in international trade.

8
Trends in Managing Food Safety Risks
ALAR ie As low as Reasonable BUT -Tec
hnological capabilities vary -Idea of
reasonable varies
Public Health Based Goals -eg yearly incidence of
Listeriosis below 4 cases/million of
population BUT -in terms of population -not
related to specific foods
The Issue Behind the Issue
Equivalence Do two systems of food safety risk
management (e.g. inspection, HACCP, processing)
provide the same degree of public health
protection?
9
Food Safety Objectives (FSOs) are intended to
form the link from Public Health Based Goals to
Suitable Control Measures
FSO
Risk Assessment
Risk Management

• Practical

• Emphasis on
• policy

Codex Risk Analysis Framework
Risk Communication
10
Use of an FSO to Control Hazards
FSO
HAZARD
FOODBORNE ILLNESS/DEATH
11
Concern
Food safety Management
Risk Evaluation
Establish FSO

Is FSO Achievable?
No
Yes
Establish Performance Criteria
Implement through GHP HACCP
Establish Acceptance Criteria
12
Food Safety Objective
The maximum frequency and/or concentration of a
microbiological hazard in a food at the time of
consumption that provides the appropriate level
of protection ALOP.
CCFH, Bangkok, October 2001
13
The use of control measures to achieve a Food
Safety Objective
Ho - SR SI ? FSO

• FSO food safety objective
• Ho initial level of the hazard
• SI total increase (growth or recontamination)
• SR total reduction (inactivation or removal)

14
Managing L. monocytogenes on Fresh-cut
LettuceFrom Paddock to Plate
Antimicrobial washing agents GHP and HACCP
systems Environmental surveillance
Ho - SR SI lt FSO
Minimise initial numbers Water management Choice
of fertiliser Sanitation of equipment Rapid
cooling Hygiene of personnel
Temperature management Choice of storage
atmosphere Shelf-life
15
Australian Food Safety Centre

• Consortium partners
• The University of Tasmania
• Food Science Australia

AU5.5M Core / 6.4M consortium partner
investment over 4 years

• New safe products into the marketplace through
  understanding and controlling hazards throughout
  the supply chain
• New world-class risk management tools derived
  from new and existing data
• Increased capacity for high-level science based
  leadership through advanced education
• Networked gateway to in-house and national
  expertise
• www.foodsafetycentre.com.au