Lectures

Total diet studies:  What they are and why they are important (Monday, 8th July 2013 11.00-12.30)
– Gerald G. Moy

The protection of consumers from potential hazards in the food supply is one of the most important public health functions for any government. In this regard, the World Health Organization (WHO) has recognized total diet studies as the most cost-effective tool for assessing dietary exposures to a range of potentially hazardous chemicals and intakes of essential nutrients. The importance of total diet studies in assuring the safety of the food supply and identifying possible health risks will be described.

Learning Objectives:

  1. Understand the basic differences between total diet studies and other monitoring activities

  2. Appreciate the unique contribution to public health afforded by total diet studies

Criteria for selection of chemical substances and population targets (Monday, 8th July 2013 14.00-15.30)
– Véronique Sirot (ANSES) 

The lecture will be divided into three main parts. The first part concerns the selection of targeted populations for a TDS: selection criteria, presentation of the different possible population groups, and corresponding needs for the sampling plan. The second part will be a presentation about a prioritization tool for the selection of substances to be included in a TDS: selection criteria, judgments of the substances, and use of the tool. The third part will describe application of the tool.

Learning Objectives:

  1. Populations: an overview of the population groups that can be targeted in a TDS and the corresponding methodological issues

  2. Chemical substances: understand and to be able to apply the prioritization method to select chemicals for a TDS

Food consumption data and their use in dietary exposure assessment to contaminants (Tuesday, 9th July 2013 09.00-10.30)
– Fanny Heraud (EFSA) 

This lecture will provide an overview of the EFSA Comprehensive European Food Consumption Database and the main principles of the dietary exposure assessment, with some illustrations based on case studies.

Learning Objectives:

  1. Be aware of how food consumption data are currently collected throughout Europe and collated in the EFSA Comprehensive European Food Consumption Database

  2. Understand the principles of dietary exposure assessment to chemicals and especially how consumption data are used as input of exposure modelling

Analytical measurements: what’s behind the numbers (Wednesday, 10th July 2013 11.00-12.30)
– Stefan Voorspoels (VITO) 

Measurement data are often perceived as the absolute truth. Once out of the analytical environment, they often start to life of their own and the numbers are stripped of all meta-data. This, however, can have severe consequences towards data treatment and interpretation at a later stage. In order to assess the value of a number, it helps if the assessor has insight in how the numbers came about. After an introduction on how samples are actually analysed, it will become clear how data re generated from of a food sample. The main part of the lecture will be quality of data. The origin and background of measurement uncertainty will be discussed to reveal what is behind the numbers.

Learning Objectives:

  1. Gain insight into the process of generating measurement data (speed-course analytical technology)

  2. Learn about measurement uncertainty: there is more to a number than just the digits.

Communication @ Public Health: share, involve and improve! (Wednesday 10th July 2013 20.00-21.30)
– Ana Morais (INSA)

The importance and benefits of communication, actors involved (scientists, media and public), communication (added-value in public health), data to support communication, and media as a partner and public empowerment.

Learning Objectives:

  1. Understand communication as an added value in public health
  2. Engage and stimulate the audience to define communication activities to generate effective action

TDS results: Stakeholders’ needs and expectations (Thursday, 11th July 2013 16.00-18.00)
– Luísa Oliveira (INSA)

A round-table with Portuguese TDS stakeholders to facilitate contact with stakeholders and understanding of their needs and expectations about TDS results, and to discuss the suitability of a TDS to fulfil expectations.

Learning Objective:

Become acquainted with stakeholders’ needs and expectations about TDS results and to be able to discuss TDS strengths and limitations

Quality Management Principles and Practices suited to TDS (Friday, 11th July 2013 09.00-12.30)
– Isabel Castanheira (INSA)

Lectures will focus on quality concepts required for TDS process. Initially, a brief overview of quality tools will be presented. The key concepts that support TDS generic flowchart will be introduced. Documentation and identification of mandatory and recommended requirements will also be outlined.

Learning Objectives:

  1. Gain insight of quality practices and principles in place at TDS projects

  2. Evaluate the advantages and limitations of quality managements practices implemented in TDS beneficiaries