Theme: Supply chain management is the basis to govern food safety and to prevent foodborne outbreaks in the ever increasing complexity of the (inter)national food chain. An appropriate test system is required to support managers in their decision-making regarding safety measures in the food supply chain. A “risk based sampling plan” is a crucial component of this test system with the ultimate goal to take the right measures at the right time and the right place in the food supply chain in order to prevent food borne disease. Yet, the term “risk based” can be, and has been, interpreted in many different ways depending on, for example, the manager and scientists involved, data and time availability and public health status of the population concerned.

This has resulted in different “risk-based sampling plan” approaches in different EU and non-EU member states.

The purpose is to identify the current status on "risk-based sampling approaches" in different EU and non-EU member states and how we can learn from each others' approaches taking into account the ever increasing complexity of international food trade and accompanying microbiological dynamics.

Methods: Present three different approaches from different EU member states and one approach from a non-EU member state.

Results: Document a discussion session on the pro’s and con’s of the different methods. With that, this symposium will be the basis for a network of stakeholders (scientists, supply chain managers from government and industry) with a view towards future risk-based sampling approaches.

Significance: A risk-based sampling plan will help stakeholders to monitor the occurrence of the most important pathogen/product combinations from a public health risk perspective in a consistent manner (e.g., by trend analysis) and, with that, give input for targeted intervention programs.

Presentations