JOINT FAO/WHO EXPERT MEETING ON MICROBIOLOGICAL RISK ASSESSMENT (JEMRA)
Background
The Joint FAO/WHO Expert Meeting on Microbiological Risk Assessment (JEMRA) began in 2000 and is an international scientific expert group that is administered jointly by the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) and the World Health Organization (WHO). The purpose of JEMRA is to provide scientific advice on microbiological hazards including expert advice on risk management options that are aimed at improving food safety. In addition, JEMRA aims to make risk assessment approaches equally available to both developing and developed countries. To date, JEMRA has developed 10 full pathogen-commodity risk assessment documents for microbiological hazards (Salmonella, Campylobacter, Vibrio spp., Listeria monocytogenes, Enterobacter Sakazakii), foodborne parasites, and viruses. JEMRA has also published several guidance documents on microbiological risk assessment and risk management strategies for the control of pathogens in food. JEMRA meetings are convened on an ad-hoc basis, depending on the request from Codex, in particular the Codex Committee on Food Hygiene. As seen from the previous work, JEMRA covers a diverse range of foodborne pathogens and related risks and requires expertise from multiple sectors and perspectives. The objective of this call is to develop an expert roster of qualified scientists willing to serve as JEMRA experts. According to the procedures described in the FAO/WHO framework for the provision of scientific advice on food safety and nutrition, the FAO/WHO JEMRA Secretariat establishes a list of experts (appointments are for a period of five years). Experts are selected from the list referred to as the roster of experts, for each meeting of JEMRA to serve as members of the expert meeting or to assist the Secretariat with preparatory work.
Comments