Ensuring efficient communication and interaction between food safety risk assessors and risk managers

The experts of the WHO Expert Consultation submitted the following principal comments: 1. Food Safety Authorities in Member Countries should structure their food safety system(s) on a risk-based approach that includes appropriate communication and interaction between risk assessors, risk managers, and stakeholders. 2. The functional separation of risk assessment and risk management is essential to the conduct of risk analysis activities. 3. Independence, transparency, and robustness o f the scientific analyses and advice are essential determinants of their credibility. Nonetheless, effective dialogue among risk assessors, risk managers, and other stakeholders is essential to maximize the utility of the assessment findings and to ensure that both scientific and societal goals are met. Concerning the interactions between risk managers and risk assessors, the terminology adopted or under discussion of the FAO/WHO Codex Alimentarius Commission is used. The same applies to the d escription of risk analysis.