title: Knowledge and perceived implementation of food safety risk analysis framework in Latin America and the Caribbean region.
abstract: Risk analysis is increasingly promoted as a tool to support science-based decisions regarding food safety. An online survey comprising 45 questions was used to gather information on the implementation of food safety risk analysis within the Latin American and Caribbean regions. Professionals working in food safety in academia, government, and private sectors in Latin American and Caribbean countries were contacted by email and surveyed to assess their individual knowledge of risk analysis and perceptions of its implementation in the region. From a total of 279 participants, 97% reported a familiarity with risk analysis concepts; however, fewer than 25% were able to correctly identify its key principles. The reported implementation of risk analysis among the different professional sectors was relatively low (46%). Participants from industries in countries with a long history of trade with the United States and the European Union, such as Mexico, Brazil, and Chile, reported perceptions of a higher degree of risk analysis implementation (56, 50, and 20%, respectively) than those from the rest of the countries, suggesting that commerce may be a driver for achieving higher food safety standards. Disagreement among respondents on the extent of the use of risk analysis in national food safety regulations was common, illustrating a systematic lack of understanding of the current regulatory status of the country. The results of this survey can be used to target further risk analysis training on selected sectors and countries.
authors.affiliation: Center for Animal Health and Food Safety, Veterinary Population Medicine Department, College of Veterinary Medicine, University of Minnesota, 1354 Eckles Avenue, St. Paul, Minnesota 55108, USA.
authors.forename: C
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Cherry
authors.affiliation: College of Liberal Arts, Office of Information Technology, Research Support Services, University of Minnesota, 110 Anderson Hall, 257 19th Avenue South, Minneapolis, Minnesota 55455, USA.
authors.forename: A Hofelich
authors.initials: AH
authors.lastname: Mohr
authors.affiliation: College of Liberal Arts, Office of Information Technology, Research Support Services, University of Minnesota, 110 Anderson Hall, 257 19th Avenue South, Minneapolis, Minnesota 55455, USA.
authors.forename: T
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Lindsay
authors.affiliation: Department of Food Science and Nutrition, University of Minnesota, 1334 Eckles Avenue, St. Paul, Minnesota 55108, USA.
authors.forename: F
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Diez-Gonzalez
authors.affiliation: Center for Animal Health and Food Safety, Veterinary Population Medicine Department, College of Veterinary Medicine, University of Minnesota, 1354 Eckles Avenue, St. Paul, Minnesota 55108, USA.
authors.forename: W
authors.initials: W
authors.lastname: Hueston
authors.affiliation: Center for Animal Health and Food Safety, Veterinary Population Medicine Department, College of Veterinary Medicine, University of Minnesota, 1354 Eckles Avenue, St. Paul, Minnesota 55108, USA. fsampedr@umn.edu.
authors.forename: F
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Sampedro
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D017691:Caribbean Region; D003132:Commerce; D003625:Data Collection; D005062:European Union; D005260:Female; D064088:Hazard Analysis and Critical Control Points / Q000379:methods*; D006801:Humans; D007843:Latin America; D008297:Male; D008800:Mexico; D008875:Middle Aged; D018570:Risk Assessment / Q000592:standards*