Innovation, food safety and regulation

The food chain from producer, processor, retailer and consumer is highly interconnected and dynamic. In the midst of this environment, cooperative linkages between government, industry and the consumer are critical to ensure the delivery of safe, healthy and nutritious food. Robust safety assessment of products is a proven system that helps keep our foods safe and enhances international trade. While advances in science and technology offer food production many potential benefits, developments must be guided by appropriate safety assessments and regulation (as appropriate) if risks are to be minimised and technologies developed in a socially acceptable way.