Food Safety Governance and Risk Communication in the Global Food Supply Chain: A Conceptual Review of Regulatory Frameworks and Best Practices

Abstract

Global food supply chains have become increasingly complex, necessitating robust governance frameworks and effective risk communication strategies to ensure food safety and protect public health. This conceptual review examines the multilayered architecture of food safety governance, spanning international, regional, and national regulatory frameworks, with particular emphasis on the role of the Codex Alimentarius Commission, the World Health Organization (WHO), and the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) in harmonizing standards and facilitating trade. The review synthesizes current literature to identify key governance mechanisms, including risk-based regulation, Hazard Analysis and Critical Control Points (HACCP), and food safety management systems, while critically analyzing persistent challenges such as capacity deficits, fragmented surveillance systems, and trade-policy tensions. Risk communication emerges as a critical component of effective governance, requiring evidence-based, audience-tailored approaches that leverage digital technologies and foster stakeholder engagement. The analysis reveals that successful food safety governance depends on integrating scientific risk assessment with transparent communication, public-private collaboration, and adaptive regulatory frameworks. Emerging trends including digitalization, blockchain traceability, artificial intelligence, and One Health approaches offer promising pathways for strengthening global food safety systems. This review contributes to the literature by providing a comprehensive synthesis of regulatory frameworks and best practices, identifying critical gaps, and proposing directions for future research and policy development in food safety governance and risk communication.