Lecture 5 - Risk assessment

Question 1

Risk:

Answer 1

The probability that an event will occur, e.g. that an individual will become ill or die within a stated period of time or age.

Question 2

Risk analysis:

Answer 2

A process consisting of three components: risk assessment, risk management, and risk communication.

Question 3

Risk assessment:

Answer 3

A scientifically based process consisting of the following steps:
(a) hazard identification,
(b) hazard characterisation,
(c) exposure assessment, and
(d) risk characterisation.

Question 4

Risk assessment consists of the following steps: (4)

Answer 4

(a) hazard identification,
(b) hazard characterization,
(c) exposure assessment, and
(d) risk characterization.

Question 5

Risk characterization:

Answer 5

The process of determining the qualitative and/or quantitative estimation, including attendant uncertainties, of the probability of occurrence and severity of known or potential adverse health effects in a given population based on hazard identification, hazard characterization, and exposure assessment.

Question 6

Risk communication:

Answer 6

The interactive exchange of information and opinions concerning risk and risk management among risk assessors, risk managers, consumers, and other interested parties.

Question 7

Risk Estimate:

Answer 7

Output of risk characterization.

Question 8

Risk factor:

Answer 8

An aspect of personal behavior or lifestyle, an environmental exposure, or an inborn or inherited characteristic that is associated with an increased occurrence of disease or other health-related event or condition.

Question 9

Risk Management:

Answer 9

The process of weighing policy alternatives in the light of the results of risk assessment and, if required, selecting and implementing appropriate control options, including regulatory measures.

Question 10

CAC

Answer 10

Codex Alimentarius Commission,
an intergovernmental body managed by FAO and WHO.

Question 11

he only international organization dealing with the global rules of trade between nations

Answer 11

The World Trade Organisation (WTO)

Question 12

HACCP-systems

Answer 12

Hazard Analysis Critical Control Point

HACCP is a management system in which food safety is addressed through the analysis and control of biological, chemical, and physical hazards from raw material production, procurement and handling, to manufacturing, distribution and consumption of the finished product.

Question 13

The basic concepts of the risk analysis process as a whole are those which should anyway be part of good decision making, i.e. …?

Answer 13

collecting the information available, assessing public health risks as well as the consequences of different control options, evaluating other factors (e.g. practical, political and financial) and making decisions based on all these considerations.

Question 14

This process has been defined in a food safety context as risk analysis, which comprises (3)

Answer 14

risk assessment, risk management and risk communication.

Question 15

Codex Alimentarius: primarily focuses on

Answer 15

the safety of food products.

Its risk assessments are centered on protecting consumer health from foodborne hazards and ensuring fair practices in the food trade.

It deals more with domestic food safety risks, including a broad range of biological, chemical, and physical hazards in food that could affect human health.

Question 16

WOAH (OIE ): primarily addresses issues related to

Answer 16

animal health and zoonotic diseases.

Its risk assessment is more geared towards understanding and managing risks associated with the international trade of animals and animal products, including the spread of animal diseases and pathogens that could impact animal health, public health, and economies.

Question 17

What is the SPS Agreement?

Answer 17

The SPS Agreement provides WTO Members with the right to use SPS measures to protect human, animal or plant life or health.

Each WTO Member is entitled to maintain a level of protection it considers appropriate to protect human, animal or plant life or health within its territory.

Question 18

The international standards, guidelines and recommendations for risk analysis according to the SPS-agreement are given by (3)

Answer 18

the Codex Alimentarius (CAC), WOAH (OIE) and
by the International Plant Protection Convention (IPPC).

Question 19

The WOAH (OIE) also includes the cost evaluation into the risk assessment, whereas Codex Alimentarius (CAC) includes it to the

Answer 19

risk management.

Question 20

WOAH (OIE) mainly focuses on import risks whereas Codex Alimentarius stresses

Answer 20

domestic risks or risks related to specific products.

Question 21

The Codex Alimentarius Commission defines three components for food safety risk analysis:

Answer 21

• risk assessment
• risk management
• risk communication

Question 22

Hazard:

Answer 22

A biological, chemical or physical agent in, or condition of, food with the potential to cause an adverse health effect.

Question 23

Risk:

Answer 23

A function of the probability of an adverse health effect and the severity of that effect, consequential to a hazard (or hazards) in food.

Question 24

Risk analysis:

Answer 24

A process consisting of three components: risk assessment, risk management, and risk communication.

Question 25

Risk assessment:

Answer 25

A scientifically based process consisting of the following steps: (i) hazard identification; (ii) hazard characterization; (iii) exposure assessment; and (iv) risk characterization.

Question 26

Hazard identification:

Answer 26

The identification of biological, chemical, and physical agents capable of causing adverse health effects and which may be present in a particular food or group of foods.

Question 27

Hazard characterization:

Answer 27

The qualitative and/or quantitative evaluation of the nature of the adverse health effects associated with biological, chemical and physical agents that may be present in food.

For chemical agents, a dose–response assessment should be performed. For biological or physical agents, a dose–response assessment should be performed if the data are obtainable.

Question 28

Exposure assessment:

Answer 28

The qualitative and/or quantitative evaluation of the likely intake of biological, chemical, and physical agents via food as well as exposures from other sources if relevant.

Question 29

Risk characterization:

Answer 29

The qualitative and/or quantitative estimation, including attendant uncertainties, of the probability of occurrence and severity of known or potential adverse health effects in a given population based on hazard identification, hazard characterization and exposure assessment.

Question 30

Risk management:

Answer 30

The process, distinct from risk assessment, of weighing policy alternatives in consultation with all interested parties, considering risk assessment and other factors relevant for the health protection of consumers and for the promotion of fair trade practices, and, if needed, selecting appropriate prevention and control options.

Question 31

Risk communication:

Answer 31

The interactive exchange of information and opinions throughout the risk analysis process concerning hazards and risks, risk-related factors and risk perceptions, among risk assessors, risk managers, consumers, industry, the academic community and other interested parties, including the explanation of risk assessment findings and the basis of risk management decisions.

Question 32

The Terrestrial Animal Health Code and the Aquatic Animal Health Code (‘the Code(s)’) of the WOAH (OIE) describe four components in import risk analysis (fig.3):

Answer 32

• hazard identification
• risk assessment
• risk management
• risk communication

Question 33

Once the risk assessment has carried out the hazard, exposure and context assessments, a level of risk should be assigned. This process is called

Answer 33

risk characterization.

Question 34

A useful tool to assist the team is risk characterization, is a risk matrix in which what is placed?

Answer 34

where estimates of the likelihood are combined with estimates of the consequences.

Question 35

As the majority of acute public health event risk assessments are qualitative, the categories used in the matrix are not based on numerical values but on

Answer 35

broad descriptive definitions of likelihood and consequences.

Question 36

Risk communication is often listed last when it comes to risk management, which is not an accurate reflection of its importance.

To be effective, risk communication needs to be

Answer 36

planned and initiated early in a risk assessment.

Question 37

Surveys show that the public trust information from environmental groups or consumer organizations much more than that from

Answer 37

government sources (and experts).

Similarly, information provided by the media is trusted more than official government statements.

Question 38

Powell and Leis (1997) defined 10 lessons in risk communication based on analysis of case studies of a range of animal health, food safety and public health issues:

Answer 38

• a vacuum in information on risk is a primary factor in the social amplification of risk
• regulators are responsible for effective risk communication
• industry is responsible for effective risk communication
• if you are responsible, act early and often
• there is always more to a risk issue than what the science says
• always put the science in a policy context
• ‘educating the public’ is no substitute for good risk communication practice
• banish ‘no risk’ messages
• risk messages should address the ‘contest of opinion’ directly
• communicating well has benefits for risk management.

Question 39

Which organization
Centers on animal health and zoonotic diseases.

Answer 39

WOAH (OIE)

Question 40

Which organization
Includes consequence assessment in the risk assessment process.

Answer 40

WOAH (OIE)

Question 41

Which organization
Addresses risks associated with foodborne hazards.

Answer 41

Codex Alimentarius

Question 42

Which organization
Focus on domestic food safety risks.

Answer 42

Codex Alimentarius

Question 43

The public’s and stakeholders’ subjective evaluation of risk describes…?

Answer 43

Risk perception

Question 44

The process of assigning a level of risk based on hazard, exposure, and context assessments describes…?

Answer 44

Risk characterization

Question 45

A visual tool used in risk assessments describes..?

Answer 45

Risk matrix

Question 46

Exchange of information to encourage informed decision-making and maintain trust describes..?

Answer 46

Risk communication

Question 47

What aspect is NOT included in WOAH (OIE)’s risk assessment process for import risk analysis?

Answer 47

Economic evaluation

Question 48

What is NOT a component of food safety risk analysis as defined by the Codex Alimentarius Commission?

Answer 48

Risk mitigation

Question 49

What is the primary function of a risk matrix in the context of public health event risk assessments?

Answer 49

To offer a visual tool for discussion and agreement on risk levels.