Acrylamide Risk Governance in Germany

Abstract

The risk governance framework of the International Risk Governance Council (IRGC) provides an analytical structure within which to handle risks, from assessment to management. This chapter is a case study of the the events in Germany connected with the discovery of acrylamide in foodstuffs. A central question the case study hoped to answer was whether the framework could help deal with such situations as newly arising hazards from harmful substances in foodstuffs. Advances in science and technology have led to the emergence of new sources of risk. At the same time, they have offered improved opportunities for identifying existing risks. For instance, modern measurement methods can detect substances in our air, water, and food at concentrations in the parts per billion (ppb) or even parts per trillion (ppt) range. With these improved analytical methods it is very likely that some undesirable compounds, in some cases unintended chemical by-products of production, will be detected in our foods. Since it is hardly feasible to test all foodstuffs for the approximately 100,000 known chemical substances (UBA 2001), it follows that there is some chance that some of them will be detected by chance, and these findings will then reach the public unfiltered. Prompt and careful reactions by scientific and government authorities can prevent the public from being unduly alarmed and such situations from developing into communication crises. What is important in such cases is to find solutions which meet legal health protection requirements and are acceptable to as many parties as possible.