Module Summary

Module 3: Risk Assessment (Part I)

Lesson 1: Pre-risk Assessment Activities
PRE-RISK ASSESSMENT ACTIVITIES
1.Assemble the risk assessment team.

• Objective (Evidence-based)
• Appropriate for the need
• Balanced in terms of scientific perspectives
• Free from undue biases and conflicts of interest
• Multi-disciplinary
2. Establish the purpose and scope of the risk assessment together with the team.
3. Ensure sufficient time and resources are available to carry out risk assessment.
When should risk assessment be done?

• When there are complexities on the hazard exposure pathway

• When there is incomplete data on the hazards and/or health impacts
• There are significant regulatory and/or stakeholder concerns
• There is a mandatory regulatory requirement for a risk assessment
• There is a need to scientifically verify and justify an interim or precautionary regulatory
response to an urgent food safety problem
Lesson 2: General Characteristics of Risk Assessment

• It is objective and impartial.

• It is independent, providing a sound, data-driven, and scientific approach.
• It is a structured process.
• Accounts uncertainties and variabilities
• It undergoes peer review
Lesson 3: Approaches for Assessing Risks
Generic Codex Approach: The Codex Alimentarius suggests an approach to risk assessment
which incorporates the following four analytical steps:

• Hazard Identification
• Hazard Characterization
• Exposure Assessment
• Risk Characterization