One of the strengths of risk assessment
modeling is that it offers a formalized approach
for collating and analyzing existing data. Because
they are iterative in nature, risk assessment
models can be built with incomplete data
and assumptions, and updated as new data
become available. As such, an important component
of risk assessment is the use of sensitivity
analyses to identify the most influential
parameters of the risk assessment model. The
results of sensitivity analyses indicated that for
the risk assessment model described here, the
initial levels of Salmonella in unpasteurized egg
products and the way in which those products
are prepared for consumption had the greatest
impact on human health.