6. The FSO is the anchor-point between operational
management of food supply chains and public health
protection; the former relates to a very high level of
specificity (in terms of management and consumer
population affected)—the latter relates to a low level
of specificity—thus, the relationship between ALOP
and FSO is not a direct relationship, but a conversion
in which operational characteristics and population
characteristics are considered. In the conversion, confidence
in the technical capabilities of operational
management to deliver the stringency required can
be accounted for by introducing a sense of conservatism
(safety factor) in deciding on the appropriate
FSO value. Such a conversion can meaningfully be
done at the end of the chain as this is the point of
equivalence in terms of final hazard level. Points earlier
in the food chain may relate to POs, but these
points may differ between food chains and hazard
levels thus may differ as well.