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Assessment of food control system: a narrative review

Universitas Indonesia, Fac. of Public Health, Indonesia

Abstract

Food is one of the primary human needs, and its safety needs to be maintained. In low-income and middle-income countries, food consumption is the most significant consumption compared to other categories. Food safety has an impact on public health and affects the economy through product competitiveness. Therefore, it is necessary to support a good national food control system to maintain food safety. Assessment of the food control system is a must. Food and Agriculture Organisation (FAO) and World Health Organisation (WHO) have issued guidelines for assessing national food control systems. This study examines the results of assessments of national food control systems in various countries and compares them with FAO and WHO guidelines.
The method used is a narrative review. The author collected seven electronic databases, from 2010–2020.
From the results of article searches and eligibility checks, 26 full-text articles were obtained. Food control systems in various countries have their uniqueness, regarding single agency, multiple agencies, and integrated systems. This depends on the breadth and complexity of the food control system as a reflection of the governance of their countries and influenced the delegation of authority to the control agency. However, it can be concluded that the elements used in the assessment of the national food control system are generally uniform, which include regulatory needs, infrastructure, budget, human resources, and a solid coordination network, especially for countries that implement a multi-agency control system, implement control functions, and implement sustainable risk analysis. This element is in line with FAO and WHO assessment guidelines. The new and positive things in assessing the food control system are the importance of assessing the interaction between stakeholders and risk analysis. Both of these strengthen the foundation of the system's assessment.
There are variations in the food control systems, but universal things that determine the success of implementing a food control system are clarity and appropriateness of regulation and coordination. Synchronisation and harmonisation of regulations and the interaction between stakeholders are the lessons learned to improve the food control system, which will determine the safety of world food consumption.

Keywords: Coordination, food consumption, food control, food safety, regulation

Contact Address: Dumilah Ayuningtyas, Universitas Indonesia, Fac. of Public Health, Kampus Baru, 16424 Depok, Indonesia, e-mail: dumilah.ayuningtyasgmail.com