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Intersectoral and International Information Sharing - The International Food safety Authorities Network
(INFOSAN)
Peter K. Ben Embarek
Food Safety and Zoonoses
World Health Organization (WHO) HQ, Geneva, Switzerland
Engaging Intergovernmental Organizations, WHO, Geneva, 04 March 2013.
Content
Our changing environment
The need for Intersectoral and
International information sharing
Managing food safety emergencies at the
international level (INFOSAN).
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We live in a changing World
Humankind continues to change and to change its surroundings
– Urbanisation (>50% live in cities) – Globalisation of travel and trade – Environmental degradation
– Expansion of human settlements
Microbes adapt and become resistant.
Changing nature of our interactions alters disease dynamics
In the last 60 years, 335 new infectious diseases; 30% transmitted through food.
Production & consumption of meat
is dramatically changing in Asia
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In most developing countries 50% to 80%
of food animals are slaughtered outside formal slaughtering sector (e.g. at home, in villages, in markets or in illegal
facilities) and will not be inspected by a veterinarian or a food inspector
Globalization of food trade illustrated by the spread of melamine contaminated products in 2008
Food and ingredients are widely traded
International Health Regulations (IHR)
•
Old IHR (1969) only covered Yellow Fever, Cholera and Plague•
New IHR (2005) include all public health emergencies of international concern - including those caused by food•
Member States are obliged to declare all public health emergencies of international concern to WHO•
Reports from sources other than Member States (media, private sector, NGOs, social networks, etc.)•
WHO 24-hour monitoring, operations and responseNext Previous
Content
Our changing environment
The need for Intersectoral and
International information sharing
Managing food safety emergencies at the
international level (INFOSAN).
Looking at the whole chain
An integrated and effective food safety system must prioritize consumer protection.
Prevention efforts have to integrate the full food production chain: from Farm to Fork, taking a
risk based approach to managing food safety risks.
Information and data must be shared for efficient management.
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Recent food safety events (2)
E.Coli 0104 associated with sprouts : Germany summer 2011.
– "New" E. coli strain with more severe health impact.
– Risk communication challenge due to role of social media and speed of information
– 3800 cases / 53 deaths
One Mechanism in WHO:
Surveillance and Risk Assessment:
New IHR (2005) include all public health emergencies of international concern - including those caused by food
Response :
Identification of events, Verification and dissemination of information and data with affected countries
Assist affected country
Global Event Management System
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Substantiated events, Jan 2001– Nov 2011 by hazard type
0%
10%
20%
30%
40%
50%
60%
70%
80%
90%
100%
Animal
Chemical
Disaster
Food Safety
Infectious
Nutritional deficiency
Product
Radionuclear
Undetermined
Hazards
% of total events
IHR(1969), n=1323 IHR(2005), n=1258
Comparing hazards before and after IHR (2005) came into force in June 2007
0 20 40 60 80 100 120
Animal
Chemical
Disaster
Food Safety
Nutritional deficiency
Product
Radionuclear
Undetermined
Hazards
Number of events
0%
5%
10%
15%
20%
25%
30%
35%
40%
45%
50%
% of all events
IHR(1969), n=106 IHR(2005), n=311 % of total, IHR(1969) % of total, IHR(2005)
Substantiated events, Jan 2001 – Nov 2011
by hazard (excluding infectious)
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Content
Our changing environment
The need for Intersectoral and
International information sharing
Managing food safety emergencies at the
international level (INFOSAN).
Food and Agriculture Food and Agriculture
What is INFOSAN and its Purpose?
• A voluntary network of national food safety authorities (178 countries) jointly managed by FAO/WHO
• Aims to prevent international spread of contaminated food and
foodborne disease and strengthen food safety systems globally, by:
• promoting the rapid exchange of information during food safety events
• sharing information on important food safety issues of global interest
• promoting partnership and collaboration between countries
• helping countries strengthen their capacity to manage food safety risks
Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations
B C
D
E
Xn F
INFOSAN Secretariat
(FAO/WHO)
Emergency Contact
Point (Food Safety
Authority) Focal Point (e.g.
Agriculture)
Focal Point (e.g. Trade)
Focal Point (e.g.
Fisheries) Focal Point
(e.g.
Veterinary Services) Focal Point
(e.g. Industry and Standards)
Focal Point (e.g. Health Department)
Country A
INFOSAN Structure
Food and Agriculture
• INFOSAN identifies, verifies and shares information on food safety events involving contaminated foods traded
internationally or outbreaks affecting several countries.
• INFOSAN provides technical assistance to national
governments in managing food safety events or emergencies
• INFOSAN facilitates information exchange between countries and technical assistance in the field, if requested
Emergency Activities
Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations
• INFOSAN Information Notes are developed by the INFOSAN
Secretariat to provide key information about emergent or topical food safety issues
• Food safety guidelines, questionnaires, surveys, newsletters and factsheets are shared with INFOSAN members for further
dissemination within their organizations
• INFOSAN members aid routine in-country sharing of information to strengthen the national food control system
• INFOSAN Members are engaged by the Secretariat for gathering information on emerging issues
Routine Activities
Food and Agriculture
Strengthening the Food Safety
Community of Practice
Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations
Russia Belgium
Haiti
Congo
Mozambique Burundi
Outbreak of S. Oranienburg in Russia linked to internationally distributed powdered infant formula from Belgium – January 2012
Food and Agriculture
Russia
Haiti
Congo
Mozambique Burundi
USA
Peru
Norway
South Korea
New Zealand China
Taiwan UK Belgium
Netherlands France
Hong Kong
International Distribution of GOS and Products Containing GOS from South Korea ( + S. Oranienburg in USA and Netherlands with same PFGE)
Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations
International Distribution of GOS and Products Containing GOS from South Korea ( + S. Oranienburg in USA and Netherlands with same PFGE)
INFOSAN Alert
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www.who.int/foodsafety
E.mail: [email protected]
