hazard_identification.qmd

# Hazard identification

A QMRA has always for origin an initial statement on the specific objectives of a risk assessment (the risk question). The risk question should precisely define (see @fig-hazard_id):

-   the microbiological hazard(s) causing the adverse effect
-   the foods of interest
-   the population of interest

One can cite an example of risk question: "What are the isk of *Campylobacter* and *Salmonella* infection linked to chiken meals prepared in households in Dakar, Senegal ([@pouillot2012]).

![](images/pathogens.png){width="100"}

![](images/foods.png){width="100"}

![](images/populations.png){width="100"}

```{mermaid}
%%| label: fig-hazard_id
%%| echo: false
%%| fig-cap: "Components of hazard identification"

graph TD

Q[Risk question]
PM[Food products]
P[Population groups]
H[Hazards]

PH[Public health data]

C[Contamination data]

subgraph Hazard identification
Q-->PM
Q-->H
Q-->P
end

subgraph Interactions
H-->PH
P-->PH
H-->C
PM-->C
end

```

The following chapters aims at identifying the data of interest for characterizing the pathogens contamination of foods and the population.