Risk Assessment of Food Allergens – Part 4: Establishing exemptions from mandatory declaration for priority food allergens
Risk Assessment of Food Allergens – Part 4: Establishing exemptions from mandatory declaration for priority food allergens

Author: World Health Organization

Publisher: World Health Organization

Published: 2024-02-26

Total Pages: 102

ISBN-13: 924008892X

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The Codex Committee on Food Labelling (CCFL) requested scientific advice as to whether certain foods and ingredients, such as highly refined foods and ingredients, that are derived from the list of foods known to cause hypersensitivity can be exempted from mandatory declaration. The objective of this fourth meeting was to expand on the recommendations from the first meeting concerning derivatives of food allergens and establish a framework for evaluating exemptions for food allergens. A pro forma process has been developed and tested against allergen derivatives previously granted exemptions in various countries or regions and found to be effective for consideration in future exemption decisions. The Expert Committee recommends that the process outlined in the pro forma process be used to guide any future development and evaluation of derivative exemptions. Establishment of safety based upon this weight of evidence approach is dependent upon consideration of data quality, outcome of the exposure assessment for all intended ingredient uses (specified for exemption), and review by competent authorities (as needed). When safety is established, exemption can be justified.

Risk Assessment of Food Allergens – Part 5: Review and establish threshold levels for specific tree nuts (Brazil nut, macadamia nut or Queensland nut, pine nut), soy, celery, lupin, mustard, buckwheat and oats
Risk Assessment of Food Allergens – Part 5: Review and establish threshold levels for specific tree nuts (Brazil nut, macadamia nut or Queensland nut, pine nut), soy, celery, lupin, mustard, buckwheat and oats

Author: Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations

Publisher: Food & Agriculture Org.

Published: 2023-10-24

Total Pages: 48

ISBN-13: 9251382832

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In Part 2 of the Ad hoc Joint FAO/WHO Expert Consultation on Risk Assessment of Food Allergens, reference doses (RfDs) were recommended for the global priority allergens, which included: walnut (and pecan), cashew (and pistachio), almond, peanut, egg, hazelnut, wheat, fish, shrimp, milk and sesame. Still, RfDs were not recommended for a number of regional or national priority allergens as they did not meet the criteria to be global priority allergens. In an additional request, the Codex Committee on Food Labelling (CCFL) indicated interest in potential RfD derivation for the following specific food allergens: specific tree nuts (Brazil nut, macadamia nut or Queensland nut, pine nut), soy, celery, lupin, mustard, buckwheat, and oats. An overview of the available data and recommended RfDs (or reasons no RfD could be derived) are given here for these specific food allergens. These RfDs were derived following the guidelines described in Part 2 of the Ad hoc Joint FAO/WHO Expert Consultation for deriving an RfD for priority allergenic foods. Details of the available data and discussions of the Expert Committee are presented in this report.

Food safety in a circular economy
Food safety in a circular economy

Author: Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations

Publisher: Food & Agriculture Org. [Author] [Author]

Published: 2024-08-21

Total Pages: 116

ISBN-13: 9251390053

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Agrifood systems require sustained growth to maintain food security for the global population, while facing unprecedented pressure from challenges of climate change and resource depletion. In this context, evaluating, holistically planning and transitioning to circularity will be critical to improve sustainability and face those challenges. While circular economy initiatives offer considerable promise in improving sustainability and increasing performance, these benefits are juxtaposed by the increasing evidence that contaminants, physical, microbiological or chemical, can get introduced, persist and potentially lead to unsafe food. Therefore, protecting food safety is key for the success of transitioning our current linear agrifood system to a more sustainable and circular one. This report provides a synthesis of current and emerging evidence of food safety risks in circular agrifood initiatives, with an aim to understand challenges and opportunities to manage and enhance food safety. Food safety has to be an equal performance indicator for any transition, requiring addressing data gaps, focusing research efforts and exploring opportunities for improving food safety outcomes. All parties in the agrifood system need to proactively do their part to ensure agrifood systems develop, by harnessing the innovation in this area, and at the same time produce safe food.

FAO/WHO background document on the risks and benefits of fish consumption
FAO/WHO background document on the risks and benefits of fish consumption

Author: Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations

Publisher: Food & Agriculture Org. [Author] [Author]

Published: 2024-07-10

Total Pages: 508

ISBN-13: 9251389446

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The report of the first Joint FAO/WHO Expert Consultation on the Risks and Benefits of Fish Consumption was published in 2010. Since then, new literature, data and information on the subject have become available. As such, FAO and WHO decided to generate a background report consisting of a comprehensive literature review, followed by an expert consultation, to update the report with new scientific evidence. This background document aims to provide scientific evidence about the risks and benefits of fish consumption in order to update the 2010 Report of the Joint FAO/WHO Expert Consultation on the Risks and Benefits of Fish Consumption. To provide new scientific evidence, five extensive literature reviews were conducted, focusing on the following five topics: 1. evidence of health benefits from fish consumption; 2. toxic effects of dioxins and dioxin-like polychlorinated biphenyls (dl-PCBs) (from studies published since 2010); 3. toxic effects of methylmercury (MeHg) (from studies published since 2010); 4. the role of selenium (Se) with regard to the health effects of MeHg; 5. occurrence data for MeHg, dioxins and dl-PCBs in fishery and aquaculture products (from studies published since 2010). The reviews followed a systematic approach, performing a systematic literature search and implementing elements from systematic literature reviews. A systematic review attempts to identify, appraise and synthesize all the empirical evidence that meets prespecified eligibility criteria to answer a specific research question.

Food safety in the context of limited food availability
Food safety in the context of limited food availability

Author: Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations

Publisher: Food & Agriculture Org. [Author] [Author]

Published: 2024-05-24

Total Pages: 128

ISBN-13: 925138777X

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Lipid-based nutrient supplements (LNS) and ready-to-use therapeutic food (RUTF) are used to prevent and treat malnutrition in children. [Author] They are often produced in regions experiencing food insecurity and include edible oils obtained from oleaginous seeds or fruits that must be refined to remove undesirable substances and ensure adequate shelf-life for the product. [Author] However, the formation of the heat-induced contaminants 3-monochloropropane-1,2-diol (3-MCPD) fatty acid esters and glycidyl fatty acid esters (GEs) may occur during the refining process of edible oils. [Author] 3-MCPD and its fatty acid esters are present in many other foodstuffs and most of the total lifetime exposure is attributed to foods other than LNS/RUTF. [Author] While the only Codex standard developed for 3-MCPD is for liquid condiments containing acid hydrolyzed vegetable proteins, no Codex standards are available for GEs. [Author] This publication provides an overview of risk assessments for 3-MCPD and GEs previously performed by the Joint FAO/WHO Expert Committee on Food Additives (JECFA), European Food Safety Authority (EFSA) and other authorities, based on chronic exposure. [Author] The use of LNS/RUTF is intended to be of finite duration and confined to a specific life stage. [Author] The aim of this report was to provide an assessment to characterize the risk of less-than-lifetime exposure to 3-MCPD (including 3-MCPD fatty acid esters) and GEs via LNS/RUTF in the context of limited food availability. [Author] The thresholds identified herein for concentrations of 3-MCPD and glycidol equivalents in LNS/RUTF products are considered to represent a level of exposure that is of low concern for human health. [Author]

Joint FAO/WHO Expert Consultation on the Risks and Benefits of Fish Consumption
Joint FAO/WHO Expert Consultation on the Risks and Benefits of Fish Consumption

Author: World Health Organization

Publisher: World Health Organization

Published: 2024-10-25

Total Pages: 124

ISBN-13: 9240100873

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Evolving science and debate concerning the benefits and risks of consuming fish have resulted in confusion over the years, and national and international food safety agencies have recognized the need to provide useful, clear and relevant information in this regard to consumers. In October 2023, FAO and WHO held the second Joint FAO/WHO Expert Consultation on the Risks and Benefits of Fish Consumption to analyse new scientific evidence on the matter and draw relevant conclusions and recommendations. The overall conclusions of the exercise show that consuming fish provides energy, protein and a range of other nutrients important for health, and that there are benefits related to fish consumption during all life stages (pregnancy, childhood and adulthood). General population studies show that the benefits and individual effects of fish consumption vary depending on overall diet, the characteristics of consumers, and the fish that is consumed.

Author:

Publisher: Food & Agriculture Org.

Published:

Total Pages: 124

ISBN-13: 9251391076

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Finding a Path to Safety in Food Allergy
Finding a Path to Safety in Food Allergy

Author: National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine

Publisher: National Academies Press

Published: 2017-05-27

Total Pages: 575

ISBN-13: 0309450314

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Over the past 20 years, public concerns have grown in response to the apparent rising prevalence of food allergy and related atopic conditions, such as eczema. Although evidence on the true prevalence of food allergy is complicated by insufficient or inconsistent data and studies with variable methodologies, many health care experts who care for patients agree that a real increase in food allergy has occurred and that it is unlikely to be due simply to an increase in awareness and better tools for diagnosis. Many stakeholders are concerned about these increases, including the general public, policy makers, regulatory agencies, the food industry, scientists, clinicians, and especially families of children and young people suffering from food allergy. At the present time, however, despite a mounting body of data on the prevalence, health consequences, and associated costs of food allergy, this chronic disease has not garnered the level of societal attention that it warrants. Moreover, for patients and families at risk, recommendations and guidelines have not been clear about preventing exposure or the onset of reactions or for managing this disease. Finding a Path to Safety in Food Allergy examines critical issues related to food allergy, including the prevalence and severity of food allergy and its impact on affected individuals, families, and communities; and current understanding of food allergy as a disease, and in diagnostics, treatments, prevention, and public policy. This report seeks to: clarify the nature of the disease, its causes, and its current management; highlight gaps in knowledge; encourage the implementation of management tools at many levels and among many stakeholders; and delineate a roadmap to safety for those who have, or are at risk of developing, food allergy, as well as for others in society who are responsible for public health.

Enhancing the Regulatory Decision-Making Approval Process for Direct Food Ingredient Technologies
Enhancing the Regulatory Decision-Making Approval Process for Direct Food Ingredient Technologies

Author: Institute of Medicine

Publisher: National Academies Press

Published: 1999-04-29

Total Pages: 158

ISBN-13: 0309184134

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The Institute of Medicine's (IOM's) Food Forum was established in 1993 to allow science and technology leaders in the food industry, top administrators in the federal government, representatives from consumer interest groups, and academicians to discuss and debate food and food safety issues openly and in a neutral setting. The Forum provides a mechanism for these diverse groups to identify possible approaches for addressing food and food safety problems and issues surrounding the often complex interactions among industry, academia, regulatory agencies, and consumers. On May 6-7, 1997, the Forum convened a workshop titled Enhancing the Regulatory Decision-Making Process for Direct Food Ingredient Technologies. Workshop speakers and participants discussed legal aspects of the direct food additive approval process, changes in science and technology, and opportunities for reform. Two background papers, which can be found in Appendix A and B, were shared with the participants prior to the workshop. The first paper provided a description and history of the legal framework of the food ingredient approval process and the second paper focused on changes in science and technology practices with emphasis placed on lessons learned from case studies. This document presents a summary of the workshop.

Food Safety Handbook
Food Safety Handbook

Author: International Finance Corporation

Publisher: World Bank Publications

Published: 2020-07-06

Total Pages: 505

ISBN-13: 1464815496

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The Food Safety Handbook: A Practical Guide for Building a Robust Food Safety Management System, contains detailed information on food safety systems and what large and small food industry companies can do to establish, maintain, and enhance food safety in their operations. This new edition updates the guidelines and regulations since the previous 2016 edition, drawing on best practices and the knowledge IFC has gained in supporting food business operators around the world. The Food Safety Handbook is indispensable for all food business operators -- anywhere along the food production and processing value chain -- who want to develop a new food safety system or strengthen an existing one.