Survey on guidance material: risk assessment for animal feed

Feed Safety Multi-stakeholder Partnership Survey on guidance material (tools, methods, manuals, etc.) on how to conduct risk assessment for feed

What is the objective of the survey?

The FAO facilitated Feed Safety Multi-stakeholder Partnership is conducting this survey to take stock and collect currently available material (e.g. tools, methods, manuals) on how to conduct risk assessment for feed. This is done, as part of preparing practical guidance and training materials (manual and other tools) to support the implementation of the Codex Alimentarius Guidelines on the Application of Risk Assessment for Feed (download here).

Who should fill out the survey?

We encourage all stakeholders along the feed and food chain – from the public sector (government institutions), the private sector (including producers), international organizations, civil society or academia and research - to fill out this survey. It only takes 5 minutes.

Background

Risk assessment is one of the three components of risk analysis, together with risk management and risk communication. Risk assessment is a science based process which should follow a structured approach incorporating four steps: i) hazard identification; ii) hazard characterization; iii) exposure assessment; and iv) risk characterization. The Codex Alimentarius Guidelines on the Application of Risk Assessment for Feed provide guidance for feed and feed ingredients risk assessment. The guidelines address the potential risks to human health associated with the presence of hazards in the feed of food-producing animals and the subsequent transfer of hazards to edible products. They should enable risk assessment of hazards in feed, based on local conditions and considering the impact on food safety and human health. Applying these guidelines should assure international comparability of risk assessment for feed and thereby promote fair practices in food and feed trade. 

However, the implementation of these guidelines requires specific support and training. For this reason, the FAO facilitated Feed Safety Multi-stakeholder Partnership is preparing practical guidance and training material (manual and other tools). The Partnership was launched in April 2016 and aims to develop capacities of all stakeholders along the feed and food chain to supply and produce safe feed.

All feedback is important and data will be handled confidentially.

Photo Credit

©FAO/Shah Marai Nam / FAO