SAFE FOODS
SAFE FOODS is a European Project (2004-2008) that aims to contribute to the restoration of consumer confidence in the safety of the European food chain. SAFE FOODS main goal is “Promoting a new, Integrated Risk Analysis Approach for Foods”. The project is funded by the European Union (EU) 6th Framework Programme, under the ‘Quality and Safety of Food’ Priority Area.
The SAFE FOODS project seeks to refine risk analysis practices for food safety via an interdisciplinary approach.
Thematic research areas
A broad range of different research disciplines are included in the SAFE FOODS project, ranging from molecular biology, microbiology, toxicology, probabilistic modeling to the social sciences and political sciences.
SAFE FOODS is divided in 5 sub-projects. The topics include:
• Comparative safety evaluation of plant breeding approaches and production practices
• Early detection of emerging food and feed risks
• Quantitative risk assessment of combined exposure to food contaminants and natural toxins
• Consumer research of food risk management perceptions
• Institutional challenges and solutions to systemic risk management
Partners
More than 95 natural and social scientists are involved in the project, coming from 37 institutions in 21 countries.
Background
The governance of food safety has long been regarded as the domain of “experts” and professional risk managers, with minimal input from other interested parties, such as consumers. However, a number of food safety incidents in Europe (GMOs (Genetically Modified Organism), BSE (Bovine spongiform encephalopathy), dioxins,...) have severely damaged public trust in food safety regulation and management. This exposed the need for improvements in the current approach to food risk analysis.
The SAFE FOODS project has been funded by the EU to develop a new approach in food risk analysis, integrating risk-benefit assessment of human health, consumer preferences and values, as well as impact analysis of socio-economical aspects. Compared to current frameworks, a lot of attention is given to active stakeholder (corporate) participation, increased transparency (humanities) in decision-making, improved interaction between risk assessors and risk managers and more effective communication throughout the risk analysis process.
References
• SAFE FOODS dissemination flyer #1: “SAFE FOODS: Promoting Food Safety through a New Integrated Risk Analysis Approach for Foods”, 2005.
• SAFE FOODS dissemination flyer # 2: “SAFE FOODS: Progress and Results”, 2007.
SAFE FOODS dissemination material