A Risk-Based Strategy for Evaluating Mitigation Options for Process-Formed Compounds in Food: Workshop Proceedings

Area of Science:

• Food Science
• Toxicology
• Risk Assessment

Background:

• Food processing methods like cooking and drying alter food composition, creating process-formed compounds.
• Historically, the impact of these compounds was not a primary concern, but recent awareness highlights potential risks.
• The International Life Sciences Institute (ILSI) North America convened a workshop to address this emerging issue.

Framework:

• A risk-based decision tree framework was developed to proactively assess the need for mitigating process-formed compounds.
• The framework includes criteria for evaluating the impact of mitigation strategies and identifying research needs.
• Expert feedback was gathered on the draft decision tree during the workshop.

Implementation:

• The workshop facilitated alignment among academia, government, and industry on a unified risk-based approach.
• Real-time feedback was provided on the draft decision tree, refining its practical application.
• Emphasis was placed on communicating the value of this process to the broader scientific community and the public.

Implications:

• The developed decision tree offers a standardized tool for the scientific community to assess process-formed compounds.
• This framework has the potential to form the basis of a global strategy for managing food safety risks.
• Proactive risk assessment and mitigation of process-formed compounds can enhance overall food safety.