Journal of Food Hygiene and Safety (한국식품위생안전성학회지)

The Korean Society of Food Hygiene and Safety (한국식품위생안전성학회)
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A Case Study of National Food Safety Control System Assessment in the U.S.

미국의 국가식품안전관리체계 평가 사례연구

  • Received : 2017.05.01
  • Accepted : 2017.05.24
  • Published : 2017.06.30
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Abstract

For more efficient and proactive safety control of imported food, new trend in U.S. is emerging, which assesses the food safety control systems of exporting countries using Systems Recognition Assessment Tool and helps ensure safety of imported foods. This study examines trends in development and application of assessmemnt tool and country assessment reports in U.S. where an active discussion on this issue is in progress. The expert interviews were also conducted. U.S. Systems Recognition Assessment Tool was developed by FDA to recognize the potential value in leveraging the expertise of foreign food safety systems and help ensure safety of imported food. The tool is comprised of ten standards and provides an objective framework for determining the robustness of trading partners' overall food safety systems. Using its own tool, the U.S. FDA conducted a preliminary assessment of the food safety control systems of New Zealand and Canada. According to the U.S.-New Zealand and the U.S.-Canada assessment reports, the overall structure of the systems was similar between the countries. In summarizing the opinions of experts, such a trend in National Food Safety Control System Assessment may be utilized in the sanitary assessment and the control of imported food border inspection frequency before importing food. It would contribute to more effective distribution of national budget and increased public trust. Additionally, international collaboration as well as securing of qualified experts and sufficient budget appear to be crucial to further increase the utility of National Food Safety Control Systems Assessment. In conclusion, firstly, it is critically important for the competent authority of South Korea to proactively respond to international trend in National Food Safety Control System Assessment by identifying the details of its background, assessment purpose, core assessment elements, and assessment procedures. Secondly, it is necessary to identify and complement the weaknesses of Korea's food safety control system by reviewing it with U.S. Systems Recognition Assessment Tool. Thirdly, by adapting the assessment results from imported countries' food safety control systems to the imported food inspection intensity, the resources previously used in inspecting the imported food from accredited countries can be redistributed to inspecting the imported food from unaccredited countries, and it would contribute to more efficient imported food safety control. Fourthly, the competent authority of South Korea should also consider developing its own assessment tool designed to reflect the unique characteristics of its food safety control system and international guidelines.

수입식품 안전관리 확보와 효율성 제고를 위한 목적으로 국가식품안전관리체계 평가도구를 활용하여 수출국의 국가식품안전관리체계 현황을 평가하고 이를 자국의 수입식품안전관리에 활용하는 방안에 대한 논의가 미국을 중심으로 진행되고 있다. 본 연구는 미국의 평가도구와 도구를 활용한 평가사례를 비교조사하고, 관계 전문가의 의견을 검토하여 시사점을 도출하였다. 미국 FDA가 개발한 식품안전관리체계 평가도구는 외국의 식품안전 전문성을 이용하여 수입식품 안전성을 확보하기 위하여 마련되었으며, 평가도구는 10개 기준으로 구성되어 외국의 전반적인 식품안전관리 수준을 판단할 수 있도록 고안되어 있다. FDA는 평가도구를 활용하여 뉴질랜드와 캐나다를 대상으로 평가를 실시하였으며 두나라 모두 미국의 식품안전관리체계와 동등한 것으로 인정하였다. 전문가 인터뷰에서는 국가식품안전관리체계 평가를 통해 수입 전 위생평가와 수입식품의 국경검사 빈도관리에 활용함으로써 수입식품 안전관리에 있어 국가예산의 효율적인 배분과 대국민 신뢰도 향상에 기여할 것이며, 향후 국가식품안전관리체계 평가에 대한 활용도 제고를 위해서는 국제적인 조화와 전문가 예산의 확보도 중요하다는 의견을 제시하였다. 미국의 평가도구 조사 분석과 전문가 인터뷰를 토대로 도출한 시사점으로는 국가식품안전관리체계 평가 논의의 국제적 흐름에 능동적으로 대응할 필요가 있으며, 국가식품안전관리체계 평가도구를 활용하여 국내 식품안전관리체계를 검토하는 것이 가능할 것이다. 아울러 식품안전관리체계 평가결과는 수출입 안전관리에도 활용할 수 있을 것으로 보이며, 이러한 국제흐름에 따라 향후에는 우리나라 자체 국가식품안전관리체계 평가도구를 개발하는 방안도 고려할 필요가 있다.

Keywords

References

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