Defining Risk in Food Safety in the Philippines

Abstract

Food safety is a fundamental public health concern that is dependent on various factors such as changing global food production patterns, public expectations, and international trade policies.1,2 As a member of the World Trade Organization, the Philippines has agreed to follow the Uruguay Round of Trade Organization, the Sanitary and Phytosanitary Agreement and Technical Barriers to Trade that permits countries to take legitimate measures to protect life and health of their consumers in relation to food safety matters while prohibiting them from using those measures in a way that unjustifiably restricts food trade.3,4,5 The Philippines is also a member of the Codex Alimentarius Commission that aims to ensure consumer protection and to facilitate international trade.6 With these objectives, Codex focuses on the development of food standards based on risk analysis and independent scientific advice provided by expert bodies organized by the Food and Agriculture Organization and the World Health Organization.7 Risk analysis is a systematic and disciplined methodology that provides policymakers with the science-based information and evidence needed for effective and transparent decision-making, leading to improvements in food safety and public health.8 In the Philippines, Republic Act No. 10611 or the Food Safety Act of 2013, serves as the framework for implementing the farm to fork food safety regulatory system which ensures a high level of consumer health protection, fair trade practices and global competitiveness of Philippine foods by controlling hazards in the food chain, adoption of precautionary measures based on scientific risk analysis, and adoption of international standards.9

Defining Risk: Hepatitis A Virus in Philippine Shellfish (Oyster and Mussels)

“…Molecular characterization is crucial in controlling the trade of HAV-infected mussels and oysters from the market and consumers 54 . Therefore, food safety risk assessment is one of the important approaches that a developing country can utilize to strengthen its capacity and competence in the field of food safety and public health protection specifically, in controlling shellfish-related HAV endemicity 58,1 . CONCLUSION From a food safety perspective Hepatitis A Virus (HAV) is considered as primary concern in the Philippines wherein endemicity levels remains moderate to high.…”

The application of systematic accident analysis tools to investigate food safety incidents

“…Despite having validated, implemented, verified, and audited FSMS, repeated food recalls, FSI, and FBD outbreaks have occurred and remain a significant concern for governments, health authorities, private business, and consumers (Faour‐Klingbeil & Todd, 2020; Nayak & Waterson, 2019; Rustia et al., 2021). Notable instances of FBD incidents from a global perspective include outbreaks of Listeria monocytogenes linked to frozen vegetables (European Food Safety Authority, 2018; Koutsoumanis et al., 2020), L. monocytogenes (Maple Leaf Foods) (Howell & Miller, 2010), Salmonella in peanut products, Peanut Corporation of America (PCA) (Irlbeck et al., 2013), and pathogenic Escherichia coli at XL Foods Inc. (Curry, 2013 & Pennington, 2009), as reported and critiqued in the literature (Manning, 2017; Nayak & Waterson, 2017; Powell et al., 2011; Vashisht, 2018).…”

Evaluation of The Hygiene Procedures and Commitment to Food Safety of Calapan City Street Food Vendors

“…This act protects consumers from foodborne and waterborne illnesses and ensures the accessibility of safe and wholesome local foods. The researchers view this act as highly beneficial for both food sellers and customers (Rustia et al, 2021). Motivated by numerous cases of food poisoning resulting from improper food presentation and poor hygiene practices among vendors, the researchers have undertaken this study.…”