Getting Our Messages Across to Consumers
In this column, Cauvain suggests that we need a more proactive approach to food safety measures. The message should be that “we do take comprehensive measures to ensure food safety and to reduce risks for consumers.” Life is not without risks, and risks are not equal throughout a society or across societies around the world, so we must try and understand the balance of risks from the myriad activities associated with modern life. At the same time, we need to keep improving food safety, which is precisely the aim of a lot of research work. To help get these messages across to the press and the public, we need to look carefully at how we report our work and make sure we are able to put it into practical contexts, so the benefits of current and future safety measures are recognized for what they are— a contribution to improving the quality of life for everyone.