Nama : Buyung M.

K
NIM : 10111194
Kelas : IF-5

FOSCOLLAB: Global platform for food safety

data and information

An innovative tool for food safety

FOSCOLLAB is a new WHO platform for food safety professionals.
FOSCOLLAB enables users to:

Access food safety data and information quickly

Maximize the utility of already existing sources and minimize duplication of

efforts

Integrate data and information coming from animal/agriculture, food and human
health areas to improve global public health

Promote better generation of data

Strengthen the underlying sources by promoting awareness and increased

utilization

By integrating multiple sources of reliable data, FOSCOLLAB helps overcome

the challenges of accessing these key sources in a timely manner. It allows for better
risk assessment and decision-making by food safety professionals and authorities.
Why this approach?
Food safety data and information can be fragmented across sectors, such as
animal/agriculture, food and human health. Linkages between many sources often do
not exist and accessing them can be very complex. Integration of the facts from various

Nama : Buyung M.K

NIM : 10111194
Kelas : IF-5

disciplinary sectors is needed to support decision-making in food safety. A resolution*

at the 63rd World Health Assembly called upon WHO to address this issue as part of its
efforts to ensure safer food for everyone, everywhere.
A consultative process (January-July 2011) was conducted with the support of
the United States Food and Drug Administration (US-FDA) as a first step to understand
the needs and constraints of data providers and end-users, assess buy-in and help define
required outputs. Results from this process involving 131 participants from 64 Member
States revealed that this is an effort welcomed by Member States and its potential user
base as many reliable sources of data and information already exist. The findings of the
consultation have also helped directly shape the scope and functionalities of
FOSCOLLAB.
How does FOSCOLLAB work?
FOSCOLLAB integrates data and information on four elements:
Food Hazard Country Date/Year
By aligning on these elements as a starting point, data and information from
multiple sources can be explored and utilized via the same interface.
These user interfaces, or dashboards can be customized to suit individual
users' needs as well as provide facilitated access to the source data in alternate formats
(.csv, .pdf, etc.). Users will also be encouraged to visit the individual source
programmes for further details. FOSCOLLAB will in no way act as a replacement to
any sources it links together.
An example: Chemical Overview Dashboard
The Chemical Overview Dashboard integrates summary elements from individual
sources related to chemical contaminants. Users can select a particular chemical hazard
and obtain overview information such as:

What is the selected hazard?

What are the most recent international risk assessments for the selected hazard?

Are there any food safety standards established? What is the most recent
occurrence data on the selected hazard?

What foods are associated with the selected hazard and what consumption data
for these foods is there?

What nearby labs have the required expertise to test samples?

Nama : Buyung M.K

NIM : 10111194
Kelas : IF-5

This
screenshot above shows a portion the Chemical Overview Dashboard with Lead
selected. It is integrating elements from:

JECFA Evaluations Database summary information from the latest evaluation

on lead

GEMS/Food Contaminants Database average levels of detection by

commodity

WHO Collaborating Centres Database Relevant and reliable institutions

working in the area of food contaminants

Codex Alimentarius - link to the General Standard for Contaminants and Toxins
in Food and Feed

This summary dashboard is designed as a quick entry point into the topic. For
more details, users are encouraged to access the sources directly.
FOSCOLLAB, in this is example, could help contribute to the preparedness
aspect of a potential emergency situation and guide further actions to be taken by
providing access to the relevant types of data and information across sources via
customized and interactive dashboards.

Nama : Buyung M.K

NIM : 10111194
Kelas : IF-5

Data Quality
The data and information linked together will come from already-established
and reliable sources from WHO and could expand to other sources from international
organizations such as the Food and Agriculture Organizations of the United Nations
(FAO), the International Organization for Animal Health (OIE) and national
governments.
Other measures are being taken to ensure that the contents of FOSCOLLAB are
reliable. WHO will organize a working group of data quality experts that will research
existing comparable data quality standards and systems used by other organizations,
both public and private to recommend the most appropriate practices aligned with the
goals of FOSCOLLAB.
Next steps and how to get involved
User feedback will be crucial in guiding further developments of the platform.
This feedback will help improve the utility and usability of the platform as it develops.
Each dashboard is equipped with an orange envelope in the top right corner to submit
feedback directly via email. To provide any feedback, please contact
foscollab@who.int.
This initial phase has focused on chemical hazards with sources that are
developed and maintained at WHO. A similar approach will be taken to address
microbiological hazards as a next step. Future developmental paths include creating a
food-based summary dashboard and increased integration with the INFOSAN
Community site and its search functions.
Members States and relevant institutions are encouraged to ensure that
participation in the source programmes is already taking place (i.e. GEMS, INFOSAN,
etc.). In addition, exploring new possibilities of integration with outside sources is also
welcome.
Please do not hesitate to contact the WHO Secretariat at foscollab@who.int to
further discuss opportunities of collaboration or to provide feedback on the platform.

Nama : Buyung M.K

NIM : 10111194
Kelas : IF-5

http://foodrisk.org/databases/fshazards/chemical/