Core Disciplines
The methodology that underpins the majority of FSANZ’s regulatory decision making is the risk assessment component of risk analysis. This tool facilitates FSANZ’s science-based approach to decision making and is critical to the integrity and rigour of those decisions.The conduct of any given risk assessment requires multi-disciplinary input which includes a number of core disciplines, some of which are listed below.
Nutrition
FSANZ applies a risk-based and evidence-based approach to nutrition related regulatory issues.
Microbiology
FSANZ is maintaining and enhancing its expertise in undertaking and reporting microbiological risk assessments to assist the development of science-based food standards. The methodology for assessing the risk to consumers posed by microbiological pathogens in foods is evolving internationally, with critical work being progressed by the Joint FAO/WHO Expert Meetings on Microbiological Risk Assessment (JEMRA). While a qualitative approach has previously been taken to assess microbial risks in the food supply, FSANZ is increasingly utilising quantitative methodologies for assessing microbial food safety risks.
Toxicology
FSANZ has a good capability in performing quantitative toxicological risk assessments and has significant experience in undertaking these assessments. The methodology for undertaking these assessments is well developed at an international level and is supported by international expert groups such as Joint FAO/WHO Expert Committee on Food Additives (JECFA) and FAO/WHO Joint Meeting on Pesticide Residues (JMPR).
Food Technology
FSANZ employs a number of food technologists working in collaboration with other disciplines to investigate the technological justification for new food products and processes. FSANZ considers the Codex Alimentarius Commission’s Principles for the Use of Food Additives when considering the technological functions and the levels and categories of use for food additives.
Professional Advisors
Chief Medical Advisor
Expert assistance on medical issues relating to food standards is provided to FSANZ by an internal Chief Medical Advisor. An important function of this role is the development and maintenance of a Medical Network through which FSANZ can draw on academic and clinical expertise.
Chief Public Health Nutrition Advisor
An in-house Chief Public Health Nutrition Advisor provides expert input on topics such as nutrition, health and related claims, mandatory fortification of food, and voluntary fortification of food with vitamins and minerals.
Senior Social Scientist
FSANZ has recently moved to enhance its capacity in the social sciences, which provide the theories and tools to understand human behaviour. The in-house Senior Social Scientist helps to ensure that the likely consumer responses to changed or new food products and risk management strategies are credible and evidence based and not based on assumptions about human behaviour.
Central to FSANZ’s scientific capability is the skill level and knowledge of our scientific staff, and our ability to apply this science and knowledge in a food regulatory context. The skill set and knowledge base of our scientific staff needs to be developed to keep up with new food regulatory issues. Consistent with the principle of continuous improvement, appropriate staff development opportunities are actively sought. These opportunities include: in-house mentoring; placements with other agencies or laboratories; and formal training courses.
FSANZ’s decision making process is founded on scientific evidence, and as such we rely on sound scientific research generated both internally and externally. We also incorporate input from the wider scientific community in our development and implementation of effective food standards.