Workshop on “Assessing and Reporting Uncertainties in Dietary Exposure Analysis”

Brussels, Belgium
06/02/2014
Thon Hotel Brussels City Centre

ILSI Europe organised a workshop entitled 'Assessing and Reporting Uncertainties in Dietary Exposure Analysis'. The event was held on 6 February 2014, at the Thon Hotel Brussels City Centre in Brussels, Belgium.

PROGRAMME

The complete programme is available here.

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES

A clear understanding of the strengths and limitations of any scientific risk assessment is vital for risk managers to be able to make informed and appropriate decisions. Therefore, the communication of the uncertainties that underlie such assessments of risk is critical.

The workshop aimed to provide a scientific basis and generating consensus for the description of uncertainties and their classification in order to support realistic food intake/exposure assessments and consequently a good basis for policy decision making including the following tasks:

  • Map uncertainties;
  • Identify ways of description of uncertainties (identify practical ways of evaluating uncertainties – simple qualitative methods, probabilistic methods, …);
  • Identify methods to characterise the degree of uncertainties for decision matters;
  • Involve risk managers and how they communicate uncertainties.

OUTCOME

The workshop provided a platform to discuss with key stakeholders the mapping, description (qualitative and quantitative) and interpretation of uncertainties in food intake/exposure assessment.

A peer-reviewed publication covering the discussions will be produced in the coming weeks.

The workshop report is available here.

PRESENTATIONS

Introduction and Background
Welcome and opening of the workshop
D. Bánáti, ILSI Europe, BE

Introduction and objectives
S. Kettler, Coca-Cola Europe, BE

Uncertainties in food intake/exposure assessment
D. Tennant, Scientific Adviser, UK

Plenary Session – Analysis and evaluation (qualitative & quantitative) of key sources of uncertainties
Templates for analysing sources of uncertainties
S. Kettler, Coca-Cola Europe, BE

Point estimates (examples FAIM and APET)
J. Schnabel, Givaudan International, CH / B. Smith, Firmenich, CH

Probabilistic modelling (example FACET)
C. McNamara, Creme Software, IE

Total Diet Studies (example UK study)
M. Kennedy, The Food and Environment Research Agency, UK

Plenary Session – Analysis and evaluation (qualitative & quantitative) of key sources of uncertainties
Reporting and interpretation of uncertainties in risk management: What is needed?, W. Debeuckelaere, European Commission, BE

CONTACT

Registration was open only to ILSI Europe members supporting the Food Intake Methodology Task Force and invited scientists from academia and the public sector.

VENUE AND ACCOMMODATION

The event was held at:
Thon Hotel Brussels City Centre
Avenue du Boulevard 17
BE - 1210 Brussels, Belgium
+32 2 2051211
Hotel website

MORE INFORMATION

This event was coordinated by the Food Intake Methodology Task Force.