Risk Assessment
As defined by the Codex
Alimentarius Commission (CAC) risk assessment is "a scientifically
based process consisting of the following steps:..."
The identification of biological, chemical, and physical agents capable of causing adverse health effects and which may be present in a particular food or group of foods.
The qualitative and/or quantitative evaluation of the nature of the adverse health effects associated with biological, chemical and physical agents which may be present in food. For chemical agents, a dose-response assessment should be performed. For biological or physical agents, a dose-response assessment should be performed if the data are obtainable.
The qualitative and/or quantitative evaluation of the likely intake of biological, chemical, and physical agents via food as well as exposures from other sources if relevant.
The qualitative and/or quantitative estimation, including attendant uncertainties, of the probability of occurrence and severity of known or potential adverse health effects in a given population based on hazard identification, hazard characterization and exposure assessment.
