Exploring the social dimensions of microbial food safety risk governance

Background

Microbial food safety risk governance (MFSRG) is a systematic, continuous multistakeholder process aiming to ensure a high level of microbial food safety in society as well as to build and maintain trust and understanding among all stakeholder groups involved in the food system. MFSRG can only be effective if both risk assessment data and social data on the interests and concerns of all relevant stakeholder groups are collected in a consistent and standardised manner and are subsequently used to inform risk management and -communication.

Scope and approach

Despite global recognition among food safety authorities, policymakers, food practitioners, and academia on the importance of an MFSRG approach that embraces the integration of life and social sciences, the majority of scientific publications, legislations, and sector guidelines have, so far, mainly focused on the technical, hazard-oriented facet of MFSRG and less on its social, human-oriented domains. To address this discrepancy, the present paper has identified the key social dimensions that are currently underdeveloped and usually insufficiently included in MFSRG activities by means of a comprehensive literature review.

Key findings and conclusions

A framework integrating the social risk governance dimensions with its well-known technical domains was adopted and tailored to the specific context of microbial food safety risks. This overarching framework aims to improve stakeholder trust in the food system by assisting food practitioners, academia, and (non-)governmental organisations in the practical implementation of a life and social sciences integrated MFSRG approach. Active engagement of stakeholders in all MFSRG activities, the need for collaborative efforts between life and social sciences, and the crucial role of concern assessment are stressed.