Food Control System Assessment Tool: Dimension A – Inputs and Resources

A.1

POLICY AND LEGAL FRAMEWORK

A.1.1

POLICY AND LEGAL DRAFTING PROCESS

The policy framework and legal drafting processes allow the legislation of the country to be of high quality, fit for purpose and transparent (Ref. para 31 of CAC/GL 82-2013).

A.1.1.1

ASSESSMENT CRITERION:

Clear policy guidance is available for food safety and quality.

GUIDANCE

Countries should have a policy document explaining the national goals, objectives, priorities and responsibilities for ensuring food safety and quality, with a clear statement of commitment to achieve those goals and overarching objectives (Ref. para 30, 34, 35 and 38 of CAC/GL 82-2013). This would provide an enabling environment for the different stakeholders involved in the food control system and would guide subsequent actions, including the establishment of strategic plans for food control, legislation and regulations.

Such a policy document would require a careful assessment of options and should include the identification and clear articulation of expected outcomes (Ref. para 30 of CAC/GL 82-2013). It should affirm the precedence of protection of consumers, and that in the event of conflict with other interests, the health of consumers is considered as the priority in driving the course of actions under a national food control system (Ref. para 8 of CAC/GL 82-2013).

A food safety and quality policy should also place emphasis on prevention, as a general approach to be taken by both CAs and FBOs. This focus on prevention should be supplemented by capacities of intervention and response (Ref. para 19 of CAC/GL 82-2013).

Factors that are likely to shape a food safety and quality policy include: the national context; food production and consumption patterns; consumer concerns; stakeholder interests; an assessment of risks and/or benefits; effectiveness and efficiency of various controls and methods of oversight; existing and planned government structures; coordination among authorities along the food chain; technical and scientific information; the roles of government and food business operators; and best practices/models (Ref. para 25 and 33 of CAC/GL 82-2013).

Stakeholders, including FBOs and consumers, should be actively involved in this policy setting process.

POSSIBLE OUTCOME

Sustainable and clearly articulated policies are published and publicly available, and drive CAs’ courses of action, contributing to the national outcomes of the food control system.

POSSIBLE INDICATORS

>A clear policy document:

i. Outlining the national goals, overarching objectives, priorities and activities to ensure food safety and quality;

ii. Stating the commitment to achieve these goals;

iii. Giving precedence to consumer protection, in particular consumers’ health;

iv. Highlighting a preventative approach by FBOs and CAs, supported by adequate capacities of intervention and response.

>The document takes into account national specificities (e.g. in areas such as food production and consumption patterns, consumer concerns, stakeholder interests, existing and planned government structures).

>Evidence that there are resources assigned to food control.

>Evidence of stakeholders’ involvement in the development process of the food safety and quality policy.

SOURCES OF EVIDENCE

>Policy document.

>Documented commitment to food safety and quality (e.g. activity by CAs such as workshops, activities, records, recent legislation).

SEE ALSO

A.3.3.5 [CAs maintain sustainability of programmes and internal stability even in times of political change]

A.1.1.2

ASSESSMENT CRITERION: Food control strategic plans are prepared by Competent Authorities (CAs) and translate into action the overarching objectives set out in the food safety and quality