Information about the risk analysis process in the UK
More information on the risk analysis process which includes assessing, managing and communicating risks in our food and feed chains to ensure public and animal health are protected.
The risk analysis process uses science and evidence to provide advice to government, business and consumers on food and feed safety risks. It is the process of estimating risks to human health, finding ways to control these risks, and communicating both risks and controls to the people who need to know.
As well as food and feed safety, it will also consider other factors such as consumers’ wider food interests, animal welfare, environmental and economic impacts.
Risk analysis is a structured approach to the identification and management of public health hazards, where we assess the risk of hazards in our food and feed. We use this process to look at the risks from microbiological hazards (such as Salmonella), chemical hazards (such as heavy metals or chemical washes), physical hazards and allergens. The same process is also used to authorise new products that business want to place on the market, such as new types of flavourings, enzymes or additives in feed or food. Risk analysis has three elements:
Risk assessment involves using a scientific approach to identify hazards and estimate the potential risk to human and/or animal health. This includes evaluating the likely exposure to risks from food and feed and other relevant sources. It is made up of two parts where we assess the severity of the risk (for example what kind of illness it may cause) combined with the likelihood it would make you ill (for example looking at how much contamination there is, who might be eating the product etc). These two components are combined into a risk characterisation, which also lists any uncertainties (e.g. we might not know how commonly eaten a new type of food or feed is).
Risk management is consideration of potential measures to either prevent or control the risk. It considers the risk assessment and other factors related to wider consumer interests in relation to food and feed to identify an appropriate response.
FSS risk managers, working collaboratively with the FSA on UK-wide issues, consider which approaches could be implemented to manage and control the risk. They will consult with interested parties and consider any factors relevant for the protection of consumers’ health and their wider interests in relation to food and feed.
On more significant issues, our Board will be responsible for agreeing risk management recommendations in Scotland and providing advice to Scottish Ministers and others. The Board will also maintain oversight of how the risk analysis process is working in Scotland, to ensure it remains robust, transparent and based on the latest scientific evidence.
Risk communication is the exchange of information and opinions throughout the risk analysis process between risk assessors, risk managers, consumers, industry, the academic community and other interested parties.
It includes understanding the concerns of consumers and other stakeholders, the publication of risk assessment findings and other supporting evidence, and the distribution of final advice.
