Read more about the author: Shirley Parring 10 Risk communication Risk communication is an essential component of an effective food safety system. Clear, accurate and timely information helps stakeholders, including consumers, industry and policymakers, understand risks and take appropriate action. By promoting collaboration across sectors, risk communication strengthens trust, supports informed decisionmaking and encourages a shared culture of food safety across the system. Bringing risk assessment, risk management and risk communication together within a One Health framework creates a more resilient and effective food system. Hazards are identified earlier, risks are reduced through prevention and information is shared to support coordinated action across sectors. Risk management Agricultural sectors and the food industry apply these measures throughout the food system, while enforcement bodies verify and monitor compliance and ensure that regulations or other measures are adhered to. Monitoring and surveillance bodies play a key role in system functioning and early detection. This may include inspections, audits, microbiological and chemical testing, animal health monitoring, and environmental surveillance. Together, these systems help identify pathogens, contaminants or unsafe practices before they escalate into larger problems. The information generated through surveillance supports authorities, producers, and veterinary and environmental services to implement targeted interventions. A data-driven approach also helps prioritise high-risk foods and processes, ensuring that resources are used efficiently to protect human, animal and environmental health. When problems do arise, such as outbreaks, their potential to affect human or animal health or the environment must be rapidly assessed to determine the extent of the problem and the likelihood of their impact on all three sectors. To operationalise this approach, planned activities include establishing a One Health food safety technical working group, reviewing guidelines for alerts and recalls, developing centralised databases for stakeholders and outbreak reports, strengthening rapid risk assessment guidance, and promoting datasharing policies. These initiatives will strengthen national food control systems, support evidencebased decision-making, and improve the early detection and management of food safety risks. The food supply system is complex and can no longer be described as a singular supply chain; as such, different sectors need to work together to identify hazards; quantify, manage and communicate risks; share data and information; prevent problems; detect and respond to emergencies and outbreaks; and ensure rapid information sharing during these events. 12
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