ISO 22000: RISK ASSESSMENT - Introduction

Risk Assessment Cycle 

Risk assessment is the determination of quantitative or qualitative value of risk related to a concrete situation and a recognized threat (also called hazard) or dictionary definition for risk is  possibility of suffering harm or loss; danger. Scientists use the term risk when assessing potential human health threats from exposure to chemicals or pollutants in the environment. Risk is equal to a person's exposure multiplied by the toxicity of the chemical. Quantitative risk assessment requires calculations of two components of risk (R), the magnitude of the potential loss (L), and the probability (p) that the loss will occur. Acceptable risk is a risk that is understood and tolerated usually because the cost or difficulty of implementing an effective countermeasure for the associated vulnerability exceeds the expectation of loss.

Risk Assessment

Risk assessment consists of an objective evaluation of risk in which assumptions and uncertainties are clearly considered and presented. Part of the difficulty in risk management is that measurement of both of the quantities in which risk assessment is concerned - potential loss and probability of occurrence - can be very difficult to measure. The chance of error in measuring these two concepts is large. Risk with a large potential loss and a low probability of occurring is often treated differently from one with a low potential loss and a high likelihood of occurring. In theory, both are of nearly equal priority, but in practice it can be very difficult to manage when faced with the scarcity of resources, especially time, in which to conduct the risk management process. The nuclear, aerospace, oil, rail and military industries have a long history of dealing with risk assessment. Also, medical, hospital, social service and food industries control risks and perform risk assessments on a continual basis. Methods for assessment of risk may differ between industries and whether it pertains to general financial decisions or environmental, ecological, or public health risk assessment.

In food industry this methods are employed to calculate the risk in the identification of hazards and the critical control points for the system development in ISO 22000 or on the other words in HACCP system which is the food safety assurance system within the ISO 22000 structure. Thus here is a good reading to understand and how to carry out your Risk Assessment while you develop the food safety system.

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BASIC IDEA ON RISK ASSESSMENT

If you need any help while conducting your risk assessments let me share your thoughts, then I may be able to help you by offering you the advice or suggestions according to the circumstances.