Measuring the safety of the food chain in Belgium: Development of a barometer

Measuring the perceived pressure and stakeholders' response that may impact the status of the safety of the food chain in Belgium

“…The methodology to assign a number of points, frequently 20, to different factors to set priorities, is frequently used (e.g. Baert et al, 2011;Cardoen et al, 2009;Gore, 1987) and is often referred to as the Las Vegas Method or Trial Roulette. Moreover, it was asked to provide a concise comment on how the scored pressure was experienced.…”

“…The survey was launched by mail after having explained, in face to face meetings, the concept of the barometer (Baert et al, 2011), the list of potential pressures (Table 1), and the Trial Roulette method to be used to analyze the survey. Also the open questions for collection of information on the responses were explained to the participants.…”

“…This barometer was developed (Baert et al, 2011;Scientific Committee, 2010) based on the Pressure-State-Response (PSR) concept, which was used in 1980s by the OECD for the classification of environmental indicators. Within this concept, 'Pressure' stands for the pressures that are exerted by numerous general forces, processes or mechanisms operating within a society and that influence the environment.…”

“…The Belgian food safety barometer compares the state of food safety to a previous year and provides a helicopter view of the food chain (Baert et al, 2011). It is a tool to communicate in an intelligible, comprehensible manner on food safety to consumers and other stakeholders in the food chain.…”

“…and Listeria monocytogenes). Since the impact of each indicator on food safety is perceived differently by various individuals, a weighing of the indicators was performed by consulting the various food policy makers and stakeholders in the food chain including scientists of various food science disciplines, the FASFC risk managers and representatives of the agro-food industry federations, consumer organizations and other competent authorities in the Belgian food chain (Baert et al, 2011).…”