Purpose: The aim of this research was to survey government, academia, and industry sectors throughout Latin America and the Caribbean to develop an understanding of the degree of knowledge and implementation of food safety risk analysis.
Methods: A cross-sectional survey of food safety professionals in the region was designed to assess general knowledge of risk analysis, implementation in government and private industry settings, and development of risk analysis courses at universities.
Results: 279 participants from 23 countries completed the survey. Overall response rate was 67% and participation from each sector was: government (41%), academia (36%), and private (23%). Almost all the participants (97%) reported to being aware of risk analysis and 59% had received training. Most of academic institutions (83%) reported offering food safety courses with 52% covering HACCP concepts in detail and 44 and 20% covering basic principles and detailed program in risk analysis, respectively. Food companies’ use of HACCP system was 35% and risk analysis 26%. Nearly all the government workers (90%) indicated the existence of national food safety regulations and 58% reported the use of risk analysis. Participants from Chile and Mexico reported to have the highest degree of risk analysis implementation. Considerable disagreement was observed among government sector in relation to the food safety regulations in place.
Significance: The survey illustrated a systemic lack of understanding of government food safety standards and implementation tools across all sectors. Food exports seemed to be connected with the higher risk analysis implementation. Additional training efforts are needed in the region to allow a fully implemented risk analysis system.