Comparison of microbiological risk assessment studies published

The FAO/WHO risk analysis framework and principles are in the process of being implemented in different national and international settings. The importance of a further development of international co-operation based upon agreed principles in this area is stressed in the Codex Alimentarius system, as well as under the WTO/SPS agreements. Key input in this context will come from the presentation of formalised microbiological risk assessments. The number of peer-review published microbiological risk assessments is low and the format is still variable. This paper presents a comparison of selected risk assessments in the microbiological area, and suggests a number of lessons to be learned from these.