International Center of Excellence
in Food Risk Communication

The International Center of Excellence in Food Risk Communication was established in 2011 as a collaborative initiative among global food and health organizations, government agencies, academic institutions, and expert nonprofit communication organizations. The Center was founded on the belief that it is important to have a collective international resource of food-specific risk communication materials which are dedicated to enabling informed decision-making to promote global health. Read More

About Risk Communication

Partners

Food & Health Professional Resources

Consumer Resources

Welcome to the International Center of Excellence in Food Risk Communication

Our Vision

The International Center of Excellence in Food Risk Communication will be the premier global resource for risk communication on food and health.

Our Mission

The International Center of Excellence in Food Risk Communication provides resources to help government officials, health professionals, academicians, food producers, journalists, the public, and other stakeholders communicate and understand concepts, practices, research, and data about food safety, nutrition, and health.

Our Goals

Convene credible and influential governmental, communications, and health authorities to maximize their individual and collective reach and effectiveness for the public good.
Contribute to the international body of knowledge on food risk communication.
Increase the effectiveness of food risk communication, thereby enabling informed decisions about food safety, nutrition, and health.

Navigating Around This Site

Please use the navigation buttons at the top of this page to access specific information About Risk Communication, regarding website Partners, regarding Food and Health Professional Resources and regarding Consumer Resources.

If you would like to link directly to the websites of the Partner Organizations, please click on their name or icon in the rotating panel entitled “Our Partners” at the right.

For information contributed to the International Center of Excellence in Food Risk Communication by the Partner Organizations, please click on their name in the International Partner Organizations section below.

For additional resources available from Agencies and Others Involved in Risk Communication, please click on that section below.

International Partner Organizations

Other Institutions Involved in Risk Communication and Additional Resources

Our Partners

Inter American Institute for Cooperation on Agriculture - IICA

Joint Institute for Food Safety and Applied Nutrition

The National Center for Food Protection and Defense

China National Center for Food Safety Risk Assessment

Current News & Hot Topics

Food Standards Australia New Zealand published a report on the risk assessment and regulation of ag biotech crops and foods developed using gene silencing. The report concluded the weight of scientific evidence “does not support the view that small double-stranded RNAs in foods are likely to have adverse consequences for humans.” May 21, 2013
As a related resource, The International Food Information Council (IFIC) Foundation released “Food Biotechnology: A Communicator’s Guide to Improving Understanding, 3rd Edition,” revising a 2003 version to reflect new developments in food biotechnology research, regulation, and product availability from the last decade, as well as new consumer insights and changing communication methods, such as the advent of digital media.
The World Health Organization has issued a preliminary Risk Assessment on avian influenza A (H7N9) which states that the virus contains a group of avian influenza virus genes from three different avian influenza viruses. So far, this virus has not been associated with reports of severe disease in poultry. - Xinhua, China's news agency, reports 11 new H7N9 human infections, bringing the total number of such cases around the country to 60, with the death toll from H7N9 at 13. http://www.who.int/influenza/human_animal_interface/influenza_h7n9/RiskAssessment_H7N9_13Apr13.pdf
The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) is following this situation closely and coordinating with domestic and international partners. In addition, CDC has issued guidance to U.S. clinicians and public health departments on how to test for this virus, and interim guidance on case definitions for possible H7N9 cases in the United States and interim infection control guidance for U.S. health care workers. CDC also has developed information for travelers to China. http://www.cdc.gov/flu/avianflu/h7n9-virus.htm CDC has also offered to assist China in developing a vaccine. April 16, 2013
The China National Center for Food Safety Risk Assessment has provided information for Chinese consumers and stakeholders regarding sporadic cases of Avian Influenza, N7H9, on the website at http://www.cfsa.net.cn/newslist/newslist.jsp?anniu=media&actType=News&id=1666. English translations options are available on the website. Key content includes information with virus characteristic virus survival capability, transmission mode, and prevention and control measures. The avian influenza can be inactivated by heating at 65°C for 30 minutes or boiling at 100°C for 2 minutes. Virus can also survive in feces for 1 week at low temperature and in water for 1 month at 4°C. Among additional information reported by China’s official news agency, Xinhua News:
*The source of infection is not clear, but most experts believe the N7H9 is from birds and N7H9 has been found in chickens, pigeons and quails in areas that human cases were reported.
*There is no restriction on travel (within China or coming into China) so far. But residents who have fever are required to go to hospital for checking. Hospitals were alerted for patients who have fever.
*As measures of prevention, the selling of live birds (chicken, etc.) are banned in the cities, including Beijing.
*Information on this issue is transparent and Beijing government announced that anyone who hides information will be heavily punished. Under reported cases are highly unlikely this time.
*Information compiled from the Xinhua News Agency (the official news agency of Chinese government) by Dr. Junshi Chen, head of the China Food Information Center on April 6, 2013.
The number of reported cases is changing every day, about 18 cases, with 6 deaths as of April 8. There is no indication of epidemic and evidence of human to human transmission. Now N7H9 could be identified within one day.

April 3, 2013: WHO has issued a Disease Outbreak News item "Human infection with influenza A (H7N9) in China – update"
See: http://www.who.int/csr/don/2013_04_03/en/index.html.
On April 3, 2013, the China Health and Family Planning Commission notified WHO of an additional four cases of human infection with influenza A (H7N9). The four patients are from Jiangsu province in eastern China. There is no link between the cases. To date, the total number of confirmed cases of human infection with influenza A (H7N9) virus in China is seven. WHO is in contact with national authorities and is following the event closely. At this time there is no evidence of ongoing human-to-human transmission. WHO does not advise special screening at points of entry with regard to this event, nor does it recommend that any travel or trade restrictions be applied. See also April 3, 2013 WHO "Frequently Asked Questions on human infection with A (H7N9) avian influenza virus, China" is posted at:
http://www.who.int/influenza/human_animal_interface/faq_H7N9/en/index.html.
On Second Anniversary, International Center of Excellence in Food Risk Communication Expands Global Reach, Welcomes China’s Participation - Click here for the press release. March 2013
Horse Meat Investigation: An European Union-wide investigation is currently ongoing into the adulteration of foods containing beef with horse meat. Click here for Food Standards Agency (FSA) UK resources, including progress on the ongoing investigations, advice for consumers, answers to commonly asked questions, and test results. Click here for Food Safety Authority of Ireland (FSAI) press releases, News stories, Food Alerts, EU legislation, and Protocol for the sampling and analysis. February 2013
Guidance documents on the Control of Listeria monocytogenes for Ready-to-Eat Foods in New Zealand have been released by New Zealand’s Ministry for Primary Industries (MPI). These provide information on the characteristics of Listeria, the sources and the consequences of food contamination, how it may enter the processing environment, and the management and control of Listeria including specific good operating practices, microbiological testing, and appropriate responses. See: http://www.foodsafety.govt.nz/science-risk/programmes/hazard-risk-management/listeria.htm.
The MPI "Listeria Monocytogenes Risk Management Strategy 2008 – 2013" is available at http://www.foodsafety.govt.nz/industry/general/foodborne-illness/listeria/strategy.htm. Questions about the Listeria guidance documents may be directed to the MPI Food Safety Science Group by e-mail at FoodSafety.Science@MAF.govt.NZ. December 2012
Canada Approves New Federal Food Safety Law
Canada’s House of Commons gave unanimous approval to the Safe Food for Canadians Act, which now becomes law with the
routine “Royal Assent.” According to the Canadian Food Inspection Agency, the new federal law will make food as safe as
possible for Canadian families; protect consumers by targeting unsafe practices; implement tougher penalties for
activities that put health and safety at risk; provide better control over imports; institute a more consistent
inspection regime across all food commodities; and strengthen food traceability. November 27, 2012
We are pleased to welcome our very latest partner in the International Center of Excellence in Food Risk Communication, the China National Center for Food Safety Risk Assessment (CFSA). As China's first national professional and technical food safety risk assessment institution, the CFSA is expected to play a major role in building up the country's food safety research and scientific regulatory capacity, enhancing food safety quality, protecting public health and strengthening international cooperation and communication in this field. November 20, 2012
European Food Safety Authority (EFSA)reaffirms its safety evaluation of biotech maize NK603 and its related stacks,
concluding controversial Séralini et al. study is of insufficient quality for scientific assessment and does not impact
the ongoing re-evaluation of glyphosate. EFSA found that conclusions cannot be drawn on the difference in tumor incidence as reported in the study. EFSA Press Release http://www.efsa.europa.eu/en/press/news/121004.htm; Copy of the EFSA Review, EFSA Journal http://www.efsa.europa.eu/en/efsajournal/pub/2910.htm. October 4, 2012
Health Canada reaffirms the safety of BPA, concluding that “the findings of the previous assessment remain unchanged
and Health Canada’s Food Directorate continues to conclude that current dietary exposure to BPA through food packaging
uses is not expected to pose a health risk to the general population, including newborns and young children.”
The report is available on Health Canada’s web site at:
http://www.hc-sc.gc.ca/fn-an/securit/packag-emball/bpa/bpa_hra-ers-2012-09-eng.php.
September 27, 2012
FDA tests rice and rice products for inorganic arsenic.
From results to date, FDA does not recommend any change in consumption and encourages a balanced diet. September 19, 2012
European Food Safety Authority publishes new risk communication guidelines, as part of a joint initiative with national food
safety authorities in Europe. August 27, 2012
Communications strategies to help reduce the prevalence of non-communicable diseases: Proceedings from the inaugural
IFIC Foundation Diet and Physical Activity Communications Summit” has been published in the journal Nutrition Reviews. August 27, 2012
Food Standards Australia New Zealand (FSANZ) release Supplementary report to the 2008 Survey of added colours in foods available in Australia The report concluded that added colours do not pose a public health and safety concern for children in Australia as part of a balanced diet. June 25, 2012
Statement by USDA Chief Veterinary Officer John Clifford Regarding a Detection of Bovine Spongiform Encephalopathy (BSE) in the United States - Assures Consumers That Existing Safeguards Protected Food Supply; Reiterates Safety of Consuming Beef Products: OIE and trade status unaffected

Additional resources: Frequently Asked Questions and Video: USDA Chief Veterinary Officer On BSE Case - April 24, 2012

To follow ongoing developments see www.usda.gov/bse
Membership, Impact of International Center of Excellence in Food Risk Communication Grows in First Year of Operation as Global Information Resource - March 30, 2012
Questions and Answers on Carbendazim in Food and Beverages - An informational web posting from the International Food Information Council Foundation January 24, 2012
“Don’t Worry About Your Orange Juice” - official blog by U.S. FDA Deputy Commissioner for Foods, Michael Taylor, regarding the discovery of low levels of the fungicide carbendazim in imported orange juice January 24, 2012
“Communicating Food Risks in an Era of Growing Public Distrust: Three Case Studies.” Professor Ragnar Lofstedt, Kings College London. Published online ahead of print in the journal Risk Analysis. November 30, 2011
FDA: Results of the 2010 Food Safety Survey Topline Frequency Report are published by U.S. FDA. Sheds detailed insight on 15 major aspects of food safety risk perception and practice. November 21, 2011
FDA: U.S. FDA publishes “Communicating Risks and Benefits: An Evidence-Based User’s Guide” , explains key process, communication design and implementation. November 21, 2011
FDA: Apple Juice is Safe to Drink September 14, 2011
USDA Secretary Vilsack and HHS Secretary Sebelius Launch First Joint National Multimedia Campaign to Help Families Prevent Food Poisoning June 28, 2011
The European E. coli Outbreak: What’s Known, What to Do about It, and Helpful Resources on Food Safety June 6, 2011
International Center of Excellence in Food Risk Communication Forms to Provide Resources to Communicate Food Safety, Nutrition, and Health Risks March 31, 2011
Keeping the international food supply safe, following the earthquake, tsunami and nuclear emergency in Japan March 28, 2011