HOLiFOOD - FoodSafer Webinar 3 on emerging risk identification (part 1)

Summary

Nina discusses the Food Safety project, focusing on the drivers of change for emerging food safety risks within the European food system. She explains the concept of drivers of change, highlighting environmental factors like climate change that can influence food safety risks. The presentation covers a multicriteria analysis of 11 drivers, categorized into social, technological, economic, environmental, and political factors. Nina emphasizes the need for tailored management strategies based on the identified drivers, advocating for proactive approaches and resilience in the food system to tackle challenges like environmental contamination and geopolitical instability.

Takeaways

• 🌍 The Food Safer Project focuses on identifying drivers of change in food safety risks, specifically in the European food system.
• 🔍 Drivers of change are factors that influence the emergence or reduction of food safety risks, and they can be positive or negative.
• 🌡️ Climate change is a significant driver, affecting risks like microtoxin contamination and legislative responses.
• 📊 A total of 11 drivers of change have been identified, categorized into Social, Technological, Economic, Environmental, and Political factors.
• 🛠️ A multicriteria analysis was conducted using expert surveys to assess drivers based on volatility, controllability, likelihood, and severity.
• 📈 The Driver Matrix created from this analysis helps tailor management strategies for different emerging food risks.
• 🔔 The 'Monitor and Adapt' quadrant focuses on social drivers, emphasizing the need for early warning systems due to low negative health consequences.
• 💡 The 'Analyze and Optimize' quadrant includes legislation and technology, encouraging improvements in efficiency and sustainability.
• 🚀 The 'Leverage and Innovate' quadrant highlights the importance of proactive management and technological advancements in food systems.
• 🤝 The 'Strategize and Endure' quadrant addresses critical challenges like environmental contamination and geopolitical instability, calling for collaborative planning.

Q & A

What is the primary focus of the Food Safety Project discussed in the presentation?

The primary focus is on identifying and characterizing drivers of change in the European food system, particularly related to emerging food safety risks.

What are the two main sides of the Food Safety Project?

The project has a microbiological side and a chemical side, along with a focus on creating a digital hub for food safety management.

How are 'drivers of change' defined in the context of food safety?

Drivers of change are factors that can amplify or reduce the emergence of food safety risks, with climate change being a classic example.

What criteria were used to analyze the drivers of change?

The analysis used criteria of volatility, controllability, likelihood, and severity of associated hazards.

What is meant by the term 'driver matrix' in the presentation?

The driver matrix is a classification tool that categorizes drivers into quadrants based on their manageability and the health consequences they may cause.

What does the 'Monitor and Adapt' quadrant include?

This quadrant includes social drivers with low negative health consequences, emphasizing the need for developing early warning systems.

What is the significance of the 'Analyze and Optimize' quadrant?

This quadrant includes legislative and technological drivers that are manageable and influential, aimed at improving food system efficiency and sustainability.

What role does proactive management play in the 'Leverage and Innovate' quadrant?

Proactive management is crucial in this quadrant, which involves economic and environmental drivers, focusing on using technology to develop strategies before problems arise.

Why are the drivers in the 'Strategize and Endure' quadrant considered critical?

Drivers in this quadrant, such as environmental contamination and geopolitical instability, pose significant challenges that cannot be easily managed by a single organization.

What recommendations were made for future research in food safety management?

Recommendations include developing early warning systems, implementing new technologies for cost reduction, ensuring proactive management, and building resilience in food systems.