Food Standards Agency
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FSA welcomes second report on transparent use of evidence in decisions
The FSA has welcomed the recommendations of the second report on the transparent use of evidence in decision making, published yesterday, and has committed to developing and piloting approaches to see what works best in practice.
The report looks at how to promote transparency and rigour in decision making on food safety in Europe, so that the basis for risk management decisions, and the information and analysis used, is clear, rational and justifiable. It also makes recommendations on the need for Agencies to be consistent in their approaches, to meet common, essential criteria, which are outlined in the report.
FSA Chief Scientific Adviser, Professor Guy Poppy, said: 'This is a really valuable report that advances the debate on how to ensure that decision makers are clear about the evidence, assumptions and other considerations that shape decisions affecting the food we eat.
‘These issues are at the heart of FSA’s strategy and our commitment to develop, apply and communicate openly a robust evidence base in our work to protect consumers’ interests.
‘Science and the assessment of risks to health are central in this. But our decisions – whether on regulations on chemicals in food, in responding to food incidents, or deciding the best approaches to risky foods, consumer choice or effective controls on food businesses – quite rightly take account of other factors too. These include wider costs and benefits, consumers’ and business’ views and values, and what we know about how the different options will work in practice. We need to be clear how we have assessed and weighed all of these issues in coming to a decision.
‘The FSA welcomes the recommendations made in the report and has committed to developing and piloting approaches to see what works best in practice, working with other countries, scientists and stakeholders. I look forward to taking an active part in this work.’
Read the report
Second report on the transparent use of risk assessment in decision making(459.27 KB)
Heads of National Food Agencies Working Group on Transparent Use of Risk Assessment in Decision Making
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Reports on the transparent use of risk assessment in decision making
A working group of the network of Heads of National Food Agencies in Europe has published two reports on the transparent use of risk assessment in decision making.
