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FAO/WHO CODEX TRAINING PACKAGE. SECTION FOUR SCIENTIFIC BASIS FOR CODEX WORK. Module 4.5 JEMRA. What is JEMRA?. JEMRA – Joint FAO/WHO Expert Meetings on Microbiological Risk Assessment Established in 2000 in response to a request from Codex
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FAO/WHO CODEX TRAINING PACKAGE SECTION FOUR SCIENTIFIC BASIS FOR CODEX WORK Module 4.5 JEMRA
What is JEMRA? • JEMRA – Joint FAO/WHO Expert Meetings on Microbiological Risk Assessment • Established in 2000 in response to a request from Codex for an FAO/WHO expert body to provide scientific advice on microbiological hazards in foods Codex Training Package June 2004
Purpose of JEMRA • To provide sound scientific advice on microbiological issues to FAO, WHO, Codex, and FAO and WHO member countries • To address specific microbiological risk management questions from the Codex committees • To develop “adaptable” risk assessments and data resources for countries to use in conducting their own risk assessments Codex Training Package June 2004
JEMRA activities • Generation of scientific information – risk assessments • Elaboration of guideline documents • Data collection and generation • Use of risk assessment within a risk management framework • Information and technology transfer Codex Training Package June 2004
JEMRA risk assessments • Focus on specific pathogen-commodity combinations • Examples of pathogen-commodity combinations considered to March 2005 include: • Salmonella spp. in broilers • Salmonella enteritidis in eggs • Listeria monocytogenes in ready-to-eat foods • Campylobacter spp. in broiler chickens • Vibrio spp. seafood • Enterobacter sakazakii in powdered infant formula Codex Training Package June 2004
Further aim of JEMRA • To provide guidance on how risk assessment can be used effectivelybyrisk managers as a decision support tool Risk analysis is an integral part of the Codex standard-setting process, including microbiological risk assessment. Codex Training Package June 2004
Membership of JEMRA • As a multidisciplinary approach is required, implementing the programme of work of JEMRA requires the input of experts in a number of fields. • "call for experts" is issued, aimed at identifying specialists in microbiology, epidemiology, mathematical modelling, public health, food technology, veterinary medicine, risk assessment and other relevant areas. • Experts are appointed in their personal capacity and not as representatives of their country or of the institution by which they may be employed. Codex Training Package June 2004
How does JEMRA work? • Usually two expert meetings are held per year • Working groups are established to carry out work between meetings • Progress reports are made available while the risk assessment is ongoing • Final reports are peer-reviewed before publication Codex Training Package June 2004
The need for an international approach to MRA • The microbiological risk assessment process (MRA) is a means of providing an estimate of the probability and severity of illness attributable to a particular pathogen-commodity combination. • The carrying out of an MRA, particularly a quantitative MRA, is recognized as a resource-intensive task requiring a multidisciplinary approach. Codex Training Package June 2004
The need for an international approach to MRA (cont.) • Often, it is not within the capacity of many, perhaps even most, countries to carry out a complete quantitative MRA. • Food-borne illness is among the most widespread public health problems and creates social and economic burdens that countries need to address. • This need has led FAO and WHO to undertake a programme of activities to address the issue of MRA at the international level. Codex Training Package June 2004
Strengths of the international approach to MRA • Enables identification of areas that are similar or common to a particular region or even to all countries • Addresses issues of international concern or issues of concern to a large group of countries • Enables the identification of available data on a global scale and the areas where knowledge and data are lacking • Provides the highest standards of information as this work is undertaken with the assistance of internationally recognized experts in the field • Undertaking this work at the international level results in the provision of valuable information on particular pathogen-commodity combinations for use by risk managers at both the national and international levels and thus facilitates optimal use of limited resources Codex Training Package June 2004
Limitations of international approach to MRA • Risk assessment at the international level is substantially different from risk assessment at the national level. It cannot consider the situation in all countries and therefore tends to be more generic in nature. • A globally applicable risk estimate, i.e. one risk estimate that is valid for all countries, cannot be produced. Codex Training Package June 2004
Web sites: Each risk assessment – interpretive summary and technical report Information on JEMRA is available at both the FAO and WHO Web sites: • http://www.fao.org/es/ESN/food/risk_mra_en.stm • http://www.who.int/foodsafety/micro/jemra/en/ Codex Training Package June 2004