Needs and expectations regarding risk ranking in the food chain: A pilot survey amongst decision makers and stakeholders

Given the large number of potential risks and the increasing budgetary restrictions, risk ranking (RR) is becoming an inevitable part of food safety. Through an online questionnaire survey, we aimed to assess needs and expectations regarding RR in a sample of European decision makers and stakeholders. Responses were collected from 51 participants. The majority expressed a need for RR, and over two thirds already had some experience with RR. The main expectation from RR was an improved transparency in management decisions. The use and impact of RR in the food chain may be improved by increasing knowledge regarding RR, facilitating communication between decision makers and stakeholders, and removing hurdles related to data availability.