The use of food safety objectives and related concepts in Microbiological Risk Analysis

Abstract

Foodborne illnesses - especially those caused by microbial hazards - have major public health consequences worldwide. In order to ensure continuous improvement in the health of population related to foodborne hazards, government is responsible for creating the Food Safety Policy. On international level, large efforts have been made to develop certain tools to link specific food safety requirements with its effect on public health. Risk analysis framework, laid down by the Codex Alimentarius during the past two decades, linked food safety and public health through risk assessment. Based on the formal approach to risk analysis, Appropriate Level of Protection, Food Safety Objective, Performance Objective, Performance Criterion and Microbiological Criterion are concepts evolved for purpose of risk management. However, the use of these relatively new concepts in Microbiological Risk Analysis is still quite limited and inconsistent.