Analysis of risk assessment and risk management processes in the derivation of maximum levels for environmental contaminants in food
Titel:
Analysis of risk assessment and risk management processes in the derivation of maximum levels for environmental contaminants in food
Auteur:
Schneider, Klaus Ollroge, Inga Clauberg, Martin Schuhmacher-Wolz, Ulrike
Verschenen in:
Food additives and contaminants. Pt. A, Chemistry, analysis, control, exposure & risk assessment
Paginering:
Jaargang 24 (2007) nr. 7 pagina's 768-776
Jaar:
2007-07
Inhoud:
Environmental contaminants originate from diverse sources and, owing to their ubiquitous presence in the environment, may appear in foods. Setting standards in food is increasingly important within the European Union and world-wide to protect consumers' health and to avoid trade barriers. This paper analyses how maximum levels for environmental contaminants in food were derived by the Codex Alimentarius Commission, by the European Union and by national authorities (USA, Germany). Both the risk assessment process (derivation of tolerable intake values and intake assessment by scientific bodies) and the risk management process (derivation of maximum levels by risk management bodies) are discussed. The various organizations show similar approaches and similar numerical values for maximum levels of the same contaminants in the same food items. In the area of decision-making for risk management, there was a noticeable lack of transparency in all the investigated systems. Recommendations are made for the development and harmonization of exposure assessment and communications between risk assessment and risk management processes, for improvements in documentation and for greater transparency within risk management decision-making processes.