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Final report of the FAO/WHO Regional Conference on Food Safety for Asia and the Pacific |
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09:00–12:30 hours, 26 May 2004,
Seremban, Malaysia
In support of the Conference's goal to identify practical actions and capacity building recommendations promoting food safety in the Asia Pacific region, a Side Event was organised by Consumers International (CI) Asia Pacific Office on the Safety of Street Vended Foods. Some 100 government officials from countries in Asia and the Pacific attended the half-day event.
Dr Sothi Rachagan, Regional Director of Consumers International Asia Pacific Office, Malaysia, in his opening remarks, provided a brief overview of CI’s work in the food programme, and in particular the project on the Safety of Street Vended Foods. Dr. Sothi highlighted the centrality of street food to food security and employment in urban areas, particularly for the urban poor. The role of street food in preserving and promoting local and traditional foods was also mentioned. He also outlined consumer concerns with respect to health risks associated with street vended food.
Ms Kavitha Anand, Researcher from Citizen, Consumer and Civic Action Group (CAG), Chennai, India, outlined CAG’s future intervention plans. The plan included the lobbying of municipal councillors for the integration of street food vending in local urban planning and the establishment of model vending facilities and training of food handlers.
Dr Sonia de Leon, President of the Foundation for the Advancement of Food Science and Technology (FAFST), Philippines, described the work of local organisations involved in the street food sector. The examples she gave included the: Food Safety Training Institute, which offers training and intervention programmes to food handlers and practitioners; Wintex Technologies, which provides inventions and utility models in food safety; Food Training Institute, which offers consultancy and courses in food safety, quality and processing.
Dr Ngo Thi Phi Yen, a medical doctor representing the Ho Chi Minh City Nutrition Centre, Vietnam, described the proposed plan for improving the food safety situation of street food vending in Ho Chi Minh City. The first step of the plan involves choosing a site and designing a model for street food vending. Step two focuses on enhancing the food safety knowledge of consumers, vendors, and managers (government), and implementing a sound management system. Step three consists of an evaluation of the model to determine whether it should be replicated in other areas.
Ms Londa VanderWal, Associate Professional Officer of the United Nation’s Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) outlined FAO/WHO’s proposed future initiatives for improving street food safety. These include the: improvement of the conditions under which street food is prepared and sold in collaboration with municipal authorities; strengthening of food quality control capabilities to improve overall quality of raw and processed foods used by vendors; training of food handlers and education of consumers.
For more information, please contact [email protected] or visit: http://www.consumersinternational.org/roap.
