CAC/26 INF/5  |
| CAC/26 INF/5 |
Twenty-sixth Session, FAO Headquarters, Rome, 30 June – 7 July 2003 |
Capacity Building for Food Quality and Food Safety
Activities of the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO)
and the World Health Organization (WHO)
Need for Capacity Building in Food Standards Evaluations
A new international food and agriculture trade environment has emerged as a result of the Uruguay round of Multilateral Trade Negotiations and subsequent agreements on the application of Sanitary and Phytosanitary (SPS) measures and on Technical Barriers to Trade (TBT).
Members of the World Trade Organisation (WTO) are required to base their domestic technical regulations or standards on standards developed by international organisations. These organisations include the Joint FAO/WHO Codex Alimentarius Commission for food safety; the Office International des Epizooites (OIE) for animal health; and the International Plant Protection Convention (IPPC) for plant health.
The evolution of the conditions for international trade in relation to food and agriculture affects numerous cross-cutting sectors in every country, including human, animal and plant health, environmental welfare and economic development. The regulatory systems and infrastructure needed to conform to the new international trading environment are weak in many developing countries. This puts these countries at a competitive disadvantage in the international trade arena and constitutes a major limitation to the effective participation of these countries in the discussions and decisions taken at the level of international standardisation bodies.
Both the SPS (article 9) Agreement and the TBT (article 12) Agreement make specific reference to increasing the capacity of developing countries and remaining cognisant of the unique needs of developing country Members. Specifically section 12.3 of the TBT states “Members shall, in the preparation and application of technical regulations, standards and conformity assessment procedures, take account of the special development, financial and trade needs of developing country Members, with a view to ensuring that such technical regulations, standards and conformity assessment procedures do not create unnecessary obstacles to exports from developing country Members”. Reinforcing these views, the Executive Heads of FAO, WHO, WTO, WB and OIE, in a joint statement issued at the occasion of the WTO Ministerial Meeting held in Doha in November 2001, expressed their commitment to strengthening the capacity of developing countries to meet the requirements of the SPS agreement.
In keeping with these mandates, FAO and WHO engage in diverse capacity building activities designed to assist developing countries to improve their food safety and plant and animal health systems. Together with international organisations, national governments, international and regional financial institutions and NGOs, various capacity building and technical assistance initiatives have been undertaken. This report will focus on capacity building activities undertaken in part or in whole by FAO and WHO in the past biennium. Included at the end of this report are the results of a Capacity Building in Food Safety Needs Assessment questionnaire that was carried out by FAO in 2002-2003.
Recent and Ongoing Capacity Building Activities
While the activities and strategies differ and are tailored to specific regions and countries, the overall objective is to support and strengthen national food control systems. This is often done by providing technical assistance in reviewing and analysing the institutional set up for food control and evaluating its effectiveness, identifying main weaknesses, and formulating recommendations and proposals for the establishment of technically sound food control systems which are harmonised with current international standards. Specific activities falling with in the realm of capacity building include, training of food control officials and technical staff (food control managers, food inspectors, food analysts) in the form of seminars, workshops and study tours to broaden in-country skills and increase the ability of local governments to implement comprehensive food control systems, enhancement of food control laboratory capabilities, preparation of training manuals and guidelines, support in establishing and strengthening National Codex Committees, policy advice and establishment of regulatory frameworks. The remainder of the report will focus on these activities and tools, occurring at global, regional and national level.
Global Activities
International Events
FAO and WHO jointly convened a Global Forum of Food Safety Regulators in Marrakech from 28-30 January 2002 to bring together food safety regulators from every region of the world to discuss and share experiences on food safety issues that are of global concern. Forum discussions were based on the principle that regulations must be science-based and built on risk assessment as appropriate to circumstance. These discussions demonstrated a global recognition that actions need to be taken throughout the food production chain from farm and fishing boat to the consumer. Participants agreed that actions need to be taken urgently to develop the capacity in particular in developing countries to assure the safety of the food supply to their populations. Building such capacity will also assist in strengthening exports, improving public health and reducing poverty. The report and documents for the Forum are available from http://www.foodsafetyforum.org/global/index_en.htm.
An International Workshop on the Application of HAACP Principles in the Prevention and Control of Mycotoxins was held in Greenwich, UK from 17-28 June, 2002. The workshop was co-sponsored by FAO and the National Resources Institute (NRI). The purpose of the workshop was to present and train the participants on the application of the FAO Manual on the application of the HACCP system in mycotoxin prevention and control (published in 2001). The manual was written jointly by FAO and the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) in collaboration with NRI. Printed copies of the manual (FAO Food and Nutrition Paper 73) can be obtained from FAO on request or can be accessed electronically from FAO’s website at: ftp://ftp.fao.org/es/esn/food/mycotoxin_manual.pdf.
FAO and WHO jointly facilitated an international seminar on Acrylamide in Food: Current State of Affairs in Arusha, Tanzania on 16 March 2003, held immediately prior to the 35th Session of the Codex Committee on Food Additives and Contaminants. This seminar provided for the exchange of views, an update on ongoing research, and identification of gaps in the area of acrylamide in foods. Presentations were given by representatives of FAO/WHO, the US, JIFSAN, the EU, Australia, Japan, and Norway and are available for viewing from FAO’s website at: www.fao.org/es/ESN/jecfa/acrylamide_en.stm.
In accordance with the recommendations made by the participants at the first Global Forum of Food Safety Regulators, the 123rd Session of FAO Council (October 2003), agreed that FAO, in association with WHO, should initiate the preparation of a Second Global Forum of Food Safety Regulators with the understanding that final decision on this matter would be taken at the 124th Session of FAO Council (June 2003). The proposed Forum would be held in fall 2004 with a main theme of “Building effective food safety systems”.
Global Projects
In 1999-2001, FAO formulated and implemented an Umbrella Programme for Training on Uruguay Round and Future Negotiations on Agriculture. The first phase of the programme included the implementation of 14 sub-regional training courses conducted in Africa (4 courses); Asia (3 courses); Near East (2 courses); Europe (2 courses); and Latin America (3 courses). The programme was co-financed by FAO, European Union and several donor countries. It was designed taking into account the complementarities and synergies of the countries involved in the programme, including the more general training on multilateral trade conducted by other international institutions (notably WTO, WB, ITC, UNCTAD, etc). The project aimed at improving understanding of existing WTO agreements to enable countries to more fully participate in the negotiation process and debate issues of special concern to the region. Topics which were covered during training included various Uruguay Round agreements concerning agriculture, such as SPS measures, Technical Barriers to Trade and Trade related Intellectual Property Rights. A second phase of the training program is planned, pending donor support. More information is available from the FAO website at: http://www.fao.org/es/ESN/food/capacity_workshop_umbrella_en.stm
An FAO global project for the Enhancement of Coffee Quality through Prevention of Mould Formation was started in December 2000, and is due to end in December 2004. This project is being carried out in Brazil, Colombia, Ivory Coast, India, Indonesia, Kenya, and Uganda, with collaboration from Centre de Coopération Internationale en Recherché Agronomique pour le Développement (CIRAD) and Institute for Scientific Information on Coffee (ISIC) and the University of Surrey, U.K. The project has received funding from the Common Fund for Commodities and the Dutch Government. An additionally funded component for training and dissemination of best practice in ochratoxin A (OTA) control in Ecuador has also been incorporated.
The project approach emphasises capacity building in coffee-producing countries, with the aim of formulating codes of practice for the coffee industry. Key initial activities under the project involve defining mould formation mechanisms, identifying critical control points, evaluating optimal drying conditions, and developing the necessary tools (e.g. GAP, GMP and HACCP) to control and monitor both mould formation and OTA production. Specifically, the project builds capacity at the national level within the industry and responsible government agencies in the application of internationally-agreed principles of food hygiene and a HACCP-based approach to food safety throughout the coffee production and processing chain. The project also builds the analytical capacity and capability required to support national programmes for prevention and control of OTA- contamination of coffee.
A two-year project to improve the quality and safety of Fresh Fruits and Vegetables through creation of a Global Inventory, Reference Materials and Food Safety Training Programme for Improving the Quality and Safety of Fresh Fruits and Vegetables began in 2002. It is funded by FAO’s Prevention of Food Losses Fund (PFL) and will be implemented by the Food Quality and Standards Service (ESNS), in collaboration with Agriculture Support Systems (AGS) and Plant Production and Protection Division (AGP). The project’s main objective is to improve access and availability of information, through provision of resource materials and training activities, to countries desiring to improve the quality and safety of their fresh produce. Through this project, an inventory of all available food safety training materials and existing training programs will be developed. This information will be available as an electronic database with information relevant to all aspects of the production chain, from harvest to transport and marketing. Several training activities are being carried out at regional and national levels, including Latin America and the Caribbean. A series of training materials such as videos, CDs and Manuals accompany the training program. More information is available from: http://www.fao.org/es/ESN/food/foodandfood_fruits_en.stm
Global Initiatives
An FAO Trust Fund for Food Security and Food Safety was established by FAO as an important source of demand-driven funding to supplement the present trust funds that support key components of the Organisation's Field Programme. The initial funding target is of US$500 million. More information is available from: http://www.fao.org/docrep/003/y1262e/y1262e00.htm
The projects to be funded from this Trust Fund will assist Member Governments in initiating, strengthening, accelerating and expanding activities in the following two areas: Food Security and Emergency Prevention of Transboundary Pests and Diseases of Animals and Plants.
Transboundary animal diseases are epizootic diseases that are highly contagious or transmissible with the potential for very serious and rapid spread, irrespective of national borders. These diseases are of serious socio-economic or public health consequence and can be a major constraint to international trade of animals and animal products. This can have an adverse effect on the food security situation in the countries concerned and also on the food safety of consumers around the world. The same is true for locusts and other migratory pests that can fly over great distances and threaten crops hundreds or thousands of kilometres away from their places of origin.
Through its ongoing Emergency Prevention System (EMPRES), approved by the Council at its 106th Session, FAO is adopting a new approach to an old problem by emphasising early warning, early reaction and networking of research capacities to ensure the use of more effective and environment-friendly methods. The programme is focusing on strengthening existing surveillance and control in affected countries. More information is available from: http://www.fao.org/EMPRES/default.htm
The FAO Integrated Programme for Building Capacity for Biotechnology, Food Quality and Safety, and Phyto- and Zoosanitary Standards has been developed for consideration by potential donors to address the needs of developing and transition countries in the establishment or enhancement of appropriate policies, institutions and human resources concerned with biotechnology and sanitary measures in the context of food and agriculture, and in connection with trade related and environmental issues. The food safety component of this Programme valued at US$56.5 million covers such areas as: guidance for decision makers, regulatory and legal aspects, institutional strengthening at regional and national levels, human resource development, improvement of laboratory capabilities, and management of food control programmes.
FAO, OIE, WHO, the World Bank, and WTO established a Standards and Trade Development Facility (STDF) in September 2002 to facilitate the collaboration in enhancing the capacity of developing countries in meeting WTO SPS standards. The joint statement made by their respective Executive Heads in November 2001 is available from: www.wto.org/english/thewto_e/minist_e/min01_e/statements_e/st97.pdf.
The STDF will facilitate or support information exchange, development of databases, tool kits, and learning materials on trade-related SPS issues. It will also facilitate consultations to better coordinate inter-agency capacity building projects and funding of projects in capacity building in individual countries or through regional initiatives, including activities involving both public and private sectors. The specific projects supported with funding by the Facility will be identified by partner institutions in consultation with the developing countries concerned. A website containing more information on the STDF is available from: http://www1.worldbank.org/wbiep/trade/standards/stdf/stdf.htm
In February 2003, FAO and WHO launched a Codex Trust Fund to assist developing country participation in the work of Codex. After the criteria for the selection of beneficiaries is established and approved by the 26th Session of CAC (Rome, 30 June- 7 July 2003), a first call for applications and the selection of beneficiaries can begin, subject to the availability of a sufficient level of funding. More information on the Trust Fund is available from:
www.who.int/fsf/Trustfund.htm
Global Tools Available
• Apart from the direct implementation of activities in the area of food quality and safety in developing countries, FAO elaborates guidance and technical materials to be used by other implementing agencies working in these areas. This ensures broader and more sustainable impact of the technical assistance provided in the tools. Several tools are also under development. Some of the tools developed on food quality and safety include:
FAO, often in collaboration with WHO, convenes Expert Consultations to provide guidance and advice to the Codex system and to national governments on specific issues such as Animal Feeding and Food Safety, Biotechnology and Food Safety, and Probiotics. Some of these Expert Consultation reports are available electronically from the FAO website and printed copies of most are available in multiple languages from the FAO publications page: http://www.fao.org/es/ESN/publications/publications_en.stm.
FAO and WHO have jointly prepared and published (2003) Assuring Food Safety and Quality - Guidelines for Strengthening National Food Control Systems to enable national authorities, particularly in developing countries, to improve their food control systems. This publication replaces the previous (1976) guidelines. The guidelines seek to provide advice on strategies to strengthen food control systems to protect public health, prevent fraud and deception, avoid food adulteration and facilitate trade. In addition to national authorities, the guidelines will also be of assistance to a range of other stakeholders including consumer groups, industry and trade organizations, farmer groups and any other groups or associations that influence national policy in this area. The guidelines are now available electronically in English (www.fao.org/es/ESN/food/control_FCS_en.stm) and Spanish (ftp://ftp.fao.org/es/esn/food/guideFCS_es.pdf) and printed copies are available to order from: www.fao.org/es/ESN/publications/pub_control_en.stm.
An example of a possible structure of a food law has been developed by the FAO/WHO Food Standards Programme and is based on a number of food laws currently in force in developed and developing countries. Since different countries place responsibility for food control with different Ministries or agencies, the draft has been prepared in a general way so that it can be adapted to local conditions. It has been reviewed and endorsed by Joint FAO/WHO meetings of countries of the Africa and Asia regions and is available from FAO’s website at: ftp://ftp.fao.org/es/esn/food/foodlaw.pdf
Food Quality and Safety Systems - A Training Manual on Food Hygiene and the Hazard Analysis and Critical Control Point (HACCP) System is available electronically in
English (http://www.fao.org/docrep/W8088E/W8088E00.htm),
French (ftp://ftp.fao.org/es/esn/food/HACCPManual_fr.pdf) and
Spanish (ftp://ftp.fao.org/es/esn/food/HACCPManual_es.pdf) or as a printed publication in these three languages from: http://www.fao.org/es/ESN/publications/pub_quality_en.stm.
A Manual on the Application of the HACCP System in Mycotoxin Prevention and Control is available electronically in English (ftp://ftp.fao.org/es/esn/food/mycotoxin_manual.pdf) or as a printed publication from: http://www.fao.org/es/ESN/publications/pub_quality_en.stm. The manual will soon be available in Spanish and French as well.
Training manuals and guides on food safety in the street food sector are also available in multiple languages in publication format from the FAO publications page: http://www.fao.org/es/ESN/publications/publications_en.stm. A Training of Street Food Vendors didactic guide, materials designed for training courses are available electronically in English and Spanish from: www.rlc.fao.org/prior/segalim/accalim/Guias/faoguias.html
FAO has also published many manuals on food inspection, including a series of fourteen Manuals on Food Quality Control. Printed copies of these manuals are available in multiple languages from the FAO publications page: http://www.fao.org/es/ESN/publications/publications_en.stm.
Capacity Building Activities in Africa
Regional Activities
Regional Workshops
FAO and WHO, in collaboration with the International Life Science Institute (ILSI) convened a workshop on Applying Food Safety Risk Analysis in Africa– Practical Approaches which was held in Kampala, Uganda on 25 November 2002, immediately prior to the 15th Session of the Codex Coordinating Committee for Africa. The workshop was attended by 58 participants from 17 African countries and 1 observer. Presenters from FAO and other African countries provided a general overview of the principles of Risk Analysis and their application in international food trade; information on priority chemical and microbiological food contaminants in some African countries; examples from a study of thermophilic Campylobacter spp. in broiler chickens undertaken in Uganda; the basic concepts of hazard identification, hazard characterization, exposure assessment and risk characterization as applied to mycotoxin contamination of food; and reviewed several veterinary drugs used in African countries of high priority for risk assessments. The full report of the workshop is available from: ftp://ftp.fao.org/es/esn/food/meetings/workshop_nov2002.pdf.
Regional Projects
A project designed to train private small/medium size industries in HAACP/Good Hygiene Practices (GHP) and Good Manufacturing Practices (GMP) covering Benin, Burkina Faso, Cote d’Ivoire, Mali, Niger and Senegal began in September, 2001. The main objective of the project is to support the member states in their efforts to improve food quality to protect consumers and facilitate access to international markets. This objective will be supported through training courses at the regional level for Training of Trainers in GHP and HAACP and at the national level for industry. One regional training course and six national courses were implemented, the last of which took place from 10 to 19 June 2003 in Dakar, Sénégal. More information is available at: http://www.fao.org/es/ESN/food/capacity_projects_africa_en.stm
A Special Regional Program for Food Security covering the Union Economique et Monetaire Oest Africaine (UEMOA) countries, was initiated in December of 2001 and will continue through December 2003. The project is being implemented by several divisions within FAO. The objectives of the activities which will be undertaken by the Food Control and Consumer protection group under phase one are to improve harmonisation of regulation and upgrade the institutional capacity of food control institutions. The activities of the project include review of existing food legislation and regional harmonisation, training of food control inspectors and upgrading laboratory facilities. The review of the existing food control systems (including legal and regulatory texts, inspection procedures, and analytical techniques and capacities) has been completed and regional proposals for short, medium, and long-term improvements were presented in a technical meeting in Ouagadougou, Burkina Faso from 16 to 18 June 2003. Pilot activities of training and provision of analytical equipment will follow this meeting.
A project to reduce post harvest losses and increase the safety of milk and dairy products in sub-Saharan Africa has been approved and is in the initial stages of activities. The overall objective of the project is to increase the supply and marketing of safe milk and dairy products with emphasis on the informal dairy sector and street vendors. The project will be implemented by the Animal Production and Health Division (AGA) with technical assistance provided by the Food Control and Consumer Protection Group (of ESNS). The project aims to increase technical capacity in terms implementation of Good Hygiene and Manufacturing Practices (GHP and GMP) and improved inspection techniques. Consumer awareness will be heightened through relevant communication channels using a variety of media to promote appropriate messages. At the end of the project, a stakeholder’s workshop will be held.
WHO Food Safety Activities in the AFRO Region: Issues and challenges
Poverty is the principal cause of consumption of unsafe food in the African region. Other factors such as weak institutional structures, demographic pressures, trade liberalization and poor environmental conditions merely exacerbate this situation. The main challenges in food safety include: (I) strengthening food safety in the public health functions of countries; (ii) strengthening of technical capability on food safety; (iii) formulation and implementation of efficient food laws; (iv) transfer of management of knowledge and skills; (v) introduction of new principles of a preventative risk based approach and to be adapted to local situations; and (vi) strengthening of surveillance systems of food borne diseases.
WHO Strategic View and Approach
The WHO regional office for Africa regards food safety as a priority public health and developmental issue. The office acknowledges that investing in food safety is investing in economic growth and human development. In this scope, it has taken a more prominent role in supporting and strengthening food safety activities within the countries of the region. The WHO’s main objective with regards to food safety is to create an environment which enables the health sector effectively and promptly to assess, communicate and manage food-borne risks.
The food safety functions and activities of WHO include (I) developing and strengthening national food safety programs; (ii) assisting in the development of human resources in various areas of food safety, including food inspection, application of the HACCP system, risk assessment, and surveillance of foodborne disease; (iii) promoting the development of national food standards and codes of practice based upon the Codex Alimentarius; (iv) disseminating information and educational materials on food safety; (v) collaborating with national governments and the international community in the development and implementation of prevention and control strategies for foodborne disease outbreaks and emergencies; (vi) identifying collaboration and partners willing to invest resources in food safety programmes in countries.
The office promotes a holistic and integrated approach to addressing food safety issues, hence food safety activities are integrated/included in other areas of work. The “Healthy Settings” concept is one example, the office through the Healthy Market Places initiative promotes the safety and wholesomeness of foods sold and traded at the markets by improving knowledge and behaviors of food vendors in food handling and sanitation. In view of the fact that poverty is largely the cause of foodborne illnesses within the region, the office integrates food safety concepts with poverty reduction activities.
The regional office has provided expertise to assess the impact of beverage additives, and supported the training of street vendors in safe food handling practices. Furthermore, the office through the “Healthy Market Places” initiative provided technical support to countries such as Tanzania and Nigeria to improve food safety within the context of the “Buguruni Healthy Market Initiative”. Efforts are currently being made to replicate and expand the scope of this initiative to other countries of the region.
To obtain more evidence for decision-making on the sources and magnitude of food borne illness in the African region, the regional office recently undertook a regional situation analysis on food safety and hygiene. Through the orientations of the situation analysis, the office aims to develop strategic interventions and action plans to further strengthen the food safety programs of the countries. In addition, an awareness-raising workshop has been planned, wherein it will also aim to identify strengths and constraints in relation to national food safety programmes, identify regional and country needs.
National Activities
FAO Field Projects
Under its Technical Cooperation Programme (TCP), FAO has implemented numerous projects on critical aspects of food control in many countries. FAO/TCP is designed to assist Member Nations in solving their most pressing development needs. In the field of food safety these include: strengthening of national food control systems, enhancing laboratory facilities and analysis capacities and improving the ability of member countries to comply with new trade regulations. TCP projects are generally of one to two year duration, with the possibility for a second phase of funding if warranted.
A project to Improve the Quality of Street foods in Bobo Dialasso, Burkina Faso began in September of 2002 and will continue through the end of 2003. The main activities of the project will be to undertake a survey on the quality and safety of street foods, provide training on Good Hygiene Practices (GHP) to street food vendors and to formulate a municipal strategy for further improving the safety of street foods.
A project to Strengthen the National Food Control System in the Gambia begin early in 2001 and continued through 2002. The project aims to increase the capacity of the government to ensure the safety and quality of both locally produced and imported foods. This will be accomplished by enacting national food laws, establishing a country-wide food inspection network, upgrading the capabilities for laboratory analytical services and training of food control personnel and street food inspectors.
A project to improve the quality and safety of street foods in Guinea Bissau was funded in October 2002 and is scheduled to continue through early 2004. The project objectives are to identify practical actions to ensure the quality and safety of street foods and protect consumers and to reorganise the street food sector into the socio-economic context of the city’s urbanisation. These objectives will be met through research on the street food sector to develop a plan of action for improving the environmental conditions where street food is sold and ensure hygienic preparation of the food. A series of workshops will be conducted to improve control of the sector. Vendor and others will be engaged in training to improve environmental and hygienic practices and educational messages for consumers will be developed.
A project to Support the Informal Food Sector in Guinea began in June 2003 and is scheduled to continue through January 2005. The objective of the assistance is to help the Government to define the strategies necessary to improve the quality of food prepared and sold on the street. The project will carry out research and pre-test feasible actions to improve the safety and quality of food sold on the street. Consumers will receive information on associations and other institutions working to protect the safety and quality of food and learn where further information on the subject can be found.
A project to improve the quality of street foods in Dakar, Senegal began in 2000 and ended in 2001. The main activities involved training street vendors in food hygiene practices and the conception and production of educational materials on improved preparation and handling of street foods. Strategies to improve the environment where street food is sold and preparation practices of the vendors will be field tested. An integrated municipal plan for the street food sector will also be proposed.
A project to Improve the Quality of Street foods in South Africa was approved in 1999 and continued through 2001. The main objective of the project was to improve the quality of street food and vending in South Africa in order to ensure consumer safety and to provide vendors and handlers with health education and training regarding acceptable street food preparation and handling practices. Activities carried out to meet this objective included, a thorough evaluation of the street food situation and identification of critical control points in streetfood preparation, handling and selling, training seminars for food control inspectors and streetfood vendors, and a consumer education campaign on street food safety and environmental hygiene.
A project designed to Strengthen the National Food Control System in Swaziland was funded in September of 1999 and continued through 2001. The main objective of the project was to improve quality, safety and nutritional value of food produced in Swaziland and to ensure the acceptability of food entering the country. The activities undertaken to accomplish this included, using the experience gained in similar national food legislation in the sub-region to prepare a draft national food law; setting up effective Food Control Administration for the country; upgrading the training programme for food inspectors, and training of 5 local trainers in food inspection who will train 20 food inspectors. The capabilities of the existing food analysis laboratory were enhanced by providing training to 2 analytical chemists and microbiologists and providing some essential analytical equipment and other laboratory materials.
A project to Strengthen the National Food Control System and National Codex Organisation began in Tanzania in February 2003 and is scheduled to continue through July 2004. The objective of the project is to improve the quality, safety and nutritional value of food produced in Tanzania and to ensure the acceptability of food imports/exports into/from the country. In particular, it aims at reviewing and improving the current food control administration; upgrading food inspection and food analysis through training programmes; and improving the capabilities of the Tanzania Codex Contact Point within Tanzania Bureau of Standards.
A second phase project aimed at enhancing the coffee quality in Uganda through prevention of mould growth began in early 2002 and is scheduled to continue through early 2003. The main objective of the project is to develop a centre of excellence in the field of coffee quality assurance in Uganda, which can serve as an important regional resource. The specific activities to be undertaken include, elaborating guidelines for the production, processing and handling of coffee, identifing suitable technologies for small scale coffee producers and processors, upgrading analytical laboratory capacity for carrying out quality control measures related to coffee and preparing and disseminating training materials on good agricultural practice, good manufacturing practice and HACCP for the coffee sector.
An eighteen month project to strengthen the Government Analyst Laboratory, Food Standards Advisory Board and Port Health Authority in Zimbabwe received funding in June 1999. The main objective of the project was to improve the food control system and services in Zimbabwe by up-grading the food analytical capabilities of the Government Analyst Laboratory (GAL), improving the information-handling capacity of the food control secretariat at the GAL, strengthening the Secretariat of the Food Standards Advisory Board (FSAB) and optimising the food inspection operations of the Port Health Authority. The objectives were accomplished by provision of technical assistance in analytical quality assurance and food control management and food import inspection. Training workshops were held on increasing the efficiency of food control systems and utilisation of new computerized information systems. Seventeen port health officers from 10 ports of entry received training in imported food inspection planning, policies and procedures. A complete assessment of the capabilities of the Government Laboratory was undertaken and recommendations made for increasing the effectiveness in meeting international requirements for laboratory accreditation.
Other Activities
A Training Manual for Hygienic Practices in Street Food Production and Sale is being prepared by FAO in collaboration with the University of Benin.
A Cooperative program with World Bank is being undertaken in the region to develop a conceptual framework for improving regional food control systems. Two missions were undertaken, one to Ghana and another to Senegal.
FAO Upcoming Activities
FAO has received many requests by national governments for future projects.
A draft proposal for a proposal for a project to Strengthen Food Safety has been received from the National Food Research Institute of Botswana. This request is currently under review.
The Government of the Democratic Republic of the Congo has requested assistance with a National Strategy for Food Control. This request is currently under review.
The Government of Gabon in collaboration with FAO staff has formulated a proposal to Strengthen the Food Control System. This project is in the approval phase.
A proposal to implement a National Integrated Food Sanitation Program has been prepared by FAO for the Government of Nigeria.
The Government of Senegal has requested assistance in strengthening and supporting Quality Assurance Systems in Food Safety Laboratories. The request is currently in the approval process.
A project proposal dealing with the control of pesticide residues in fruit and vegetable products for export has been prepared by FAO’s Plant Production Division in collaboration with FAO’s Food Quality and Standards Service for the Government of Senegal.
WHO Future Activities
In the near future, more will be done to capitalize on the increasing awareness of food safety and hygiene concerns. Furthermore, the fact that food safety and hygiene is a global priority for WHO will be capitalized upon to mobilize additional resources and required expertise. However, sensitization efforts will have to be strengthened so as to ensure that decision-makers and populations are fully informed of food related health risks. Countries will have to considerably strengthen their institutions and capacities to address this issue.
AFRO will also aim to develop an approach for food-borne disease surveillance system, as an integral part of national epidemiological surveillance systems. Since street-vending of foodstuffs is very widespread in the region, and that this food is consumed by millions of people in African cities, training materials for safe food handling for street vendors will be developed. Finally, advocacy for food safety and hygiene will be constant.
Specific future WHO activities include: (I) expansion of global network of participating institutions to monitor chemical contamination of food supply; (ii) promotion of use of all food technologies which may contribute to public health e.g. pasteurization, food irradiation and fermentation; (iii) promotion of the work of a WHO/FAO expert advisory body to assess microbiological risk in food; and (iv) support of member states by providing the scientific basis for health-related decisions regarding foods derived from biotechnology.
Capacity Building Activities in Asia
Regional Activities
Regional Workshops
A sub-regional Food Safety Seminar for Central Asian Republics was held on 24-26 September 2001 in Tashkent, Uzbekistan. The seminar, sponsored by FAO, WHO and ILSI was attended by over 30 participants from Central Asia. The main objective of the training was to provide participants with a framework for understanding food safety including, food safety systems and risk analysis principles; and to discuss regional aspects of legislation, enforcement, management and inter-ministerial co-operation. The final programme of the workshop is available from: ftp://ftp.fao.org/es/esn/food/Sept2001prog.pdf
FAO and the National Food Processors Association (NFPA) jointly organised a Workshop on Food Safety in Bangkok, Thailand on 7 October 2001. Ninety participants attended the workshop. The overall objective of the workshop was to strengthen country level initiatives and partnership with food processing industries. The seminar emphasised the use of science as the foundation of effective food control programmes. Aspects of successful national food control programmes were discussed using operational examples from selected countries of the Asian region, to provide practical insight to participants who are involved in upgrading their own national food safety programmes. The seminar also analysed key food safety issues that are currently in international focus, with presentations from leading international experts. The topics reviewed were highly relevant to all countries, with a particular focus on issues of concern to developing countries.
A Workshop on Microbiological Risk Analysis (MRA) was held in Beijing 10-11 May 2002. The workshop was jointly sponsored by FAO and ILSI and organised locally by the ILSI focal point in China and the Ministry of Health. A total of one hundred and fifty participants from Asia attended the workshop. WHO sponsored the participation of eleven participants from Asian countries. The objective of the workshop was to familiarise participants with the process of microbiological risk assessment and its use within the risk analysis framework. The conclusions of the workshop were that the workshop had provided a good introduction to microbiological risk assessment, however participants expressed the need for further training, including capacity building in the area of data collection useful for MRA. Participants took advantage of the opportunity to discuss ideas with others working in the field of food safety and felt that this was a good opportunity to increase collaboration between different sectors.
An FAO/WHO Workshop on Applying Food Safety Risk Analysis in Asia – Practical Approaches was held in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia on 16 September 2002, in collaboration with ILSI-South East Asia, the financial support of ILSI International and the kind hospitality of the Ministry of Health, Government of Malaysia. The workshop was held to raise awareness of the countries of the Region about risk analysis in food safety, and to contribute to increased participation of developing countries in Codex Regional Coordinating Committee meetings. A total of ninety- two participants representing nineteen countries from the Asian region, three observer countries, ILSI, Consumers International, and the FAO/ WHO/ Codex secretariats participated at the workshop. Of these participants, twenty-one food safety officials from the Asian region were financially supported by FAO/ILSI, most of who remained for at least part of the 13th Session of the Codex Coordinating Committee for Asia. The full report of the workshop is available from: ftp://ftp.fao.org/es/esn/food/meetings/workshop_sep2002.pdf
The fourth in the series of conferences organized for the South Asian region under the global FAO / ILSI Cooperative Framework was held in Kathmandu, Nepal 10-11 December 2002.
This Regional Meeting on Modernising Food Control Systems in the SAARC Region was held to 1) examine critical issues in food safety in SAARC region (microbiology, food additives, biotechnology, nutraceuticals and micronutrient fortification of foods), 2) provide the latest updates on food safety tools (Risk Analysis, HAACP, GMP), 3) sensitize policy makers and management to institute mechanisms for risk assessment, 4) recommend strategy for modernizing food control systems, 5) review existing food laws and regulations in SAARC countries with a view to identify main differences and diversions from international standards and understand the implications of using Codex as the reference point, and 6) identify ways for fostering stronger regional cooperation for capacity building. The full programme for the conference can be accessed at: ftp://ftp.fao.org/es/esn/food/meetings/10Dec2002agenda.pdf
As part of the IX Asian Congress of Nutrition held in New Delhi, India, FAO held a symposium on Food Safety and Quality: Issues for Developing Countries on 25 February 2003. Speakers from Asia and the Pacific gave presentations on general considerations for food safety risk analysis, a case study on food safety risk analysis from India, components and infrastructure needed for effective food control systems, safety risks and nutrition potentials of street foods, and safety risks and nutrition potentials of genetically modified foods.
WHO Regional Strategy
The 52nd session of the Regional Committee recognized food safety as a significant public health issue and endorsed a Regional Strategy for Food Safety. The Regional Strategy commits WHO to supporting advocacy and awareness-raising efforts as keys to increasing political commitment to national food safety efforts. Consequently, WHO activities have included support for mass media campaigns in Mongolia and Vietnam; World Food Day activities focused on food safety in Papua New Guinea; the development of advocacy materials in Papua New Guinea and Cambodia; and national food safety seminars in Kiribati, the Solomon Islands and Papua New Guinea.
Policies, plans of action and legislation are key elements of any effective national food safety program. WHO has collaborated with the Government of Mongolia to develop a national plan of action for food security, safety and nutrition, with Vietnam on the need for policy development and with Cambodia on the need for a multi-sector plan of action. In the latter example, numerous one-day seminars with different ministries followed a multi-sector workshop on drafting of a national plan of action. Food hygiene and environmental health regulations were reviewed and guidance provided to Palau, decisions and circulars were drafted in Vietnam and food law, hygiene regulations and food recall guidelines drafted in Vanuatu. The Organization also continued to provide guidance to Ministry of Health, Fiji, on a proposed Food Safety Bill and food recall guidelines.
Countries were also encouraged, through the provision of technical support, to strengthen their participation in the work of Codex. Such activities were undertaken in Cambodia and Fiji and, collaboratively with FAO, in other Pacific Island countries. In addition, WHO provided training in China on WTO and the SPS and TBT agreements.
The importance of national food safety programs being founded on sound science was clearly reinforced at the FAO/WHO Global Forum of Food Safety Regulators in Morocco. In this regard, WHO has placed emphasis on strengthening the capacity of Member States to establish food safety programs that are risk-based. Analytical capacity was strengthened through supply of equipment in China and laboratory quality assurance training in Vietnam. WHO has also supported targeted contaminant monitoring workshops and monitoring studies of soy and oyster sauce products in Fiji; various foods, including canned fish, in Papua New Guinea; drinking water and selected foods in Nauru; and food for school children in Cambodia. Furthermore, WHO collaborated with ASEAN and ILSI to increase understanding of risk assessment principles and applications amongst health and non-health sector food safety enforcement officers.
Collaborative work with the Malaysian Agriculture and Research Development Institute (MARDI) and the Australia New Zealand Food Authority (ANZFA) to enhance training in good hygienic practice and the Hazard Analysis Critical Control Point (HACCP) approach was also initiated. This work involves the development of training materials for use with small and/or less-developed businesses in Malaysia, Brunei Darussalam and Vietnam. In addition, training courses were conducted on HACCP applied to the meat and dairy industries for health authorities in China. Also, existing WHO/Industry Council for Development HACCP training materials were translated into Mongolian and Laotian. With the support of the Government of the Republic of Korea, health authorities in Mongolia were subsequently trained in the introduction of HACCP to industry and HACCP guidance documents for industry were developed.
Inspectors were trained in inspection procedures that address basic hygiene issues while also encouraging inspectors to employ a HACCP-based approach. To facilitate the approach a template inspection manual was drafted and tested in both Cambodia and Vietnam. The manual will enable health authorities throughout these countries to undertake inspections with greater guidance from national authorities. Inspectors were also trained in safety assessment of foods derived from biotechnology in U.S.A, in environmental health and food safety in Fiji, and in import inspection in Malaysia. Fellowships were provided for Korean regulators for food safety inspection systems in the United Kingdom and in China for inspectors from Vietnam. Analytical capacity was strengthened through the provision of study fellowships for analysts from China and Mongolia.
Effective risk communication, education and training are also essential elements of national food safety programs. A program of training trainers of community health workers in food safety was initiated based on an OPEC Fund for International Development/WHO package called Basic food safety for health workers. In addition, information, education and communication materials on food safety were supported in China, Cambodia and Lao PDR.
In the period under review, WHO continued to support capacity building at the local level through implementation of healthy marketplace initiatives. In Cambodia, Lao PDR, Mongolia and Vietnam, the healthy marketplace initiative was supported through technical support provided by WHO in-country technical officers, the development of a healthy marketplace video in Vietnam, several consultancies, the provision of seed money for infrastructure developments, participatory workshops to develop market management plans and the provision of support to develop appropriate information, education and communication materials.
National Activities
Field Projects
A TCP project on Strengthening Food Control in Bangladesh was approved in May 2003 and is scheduled for completion in May 2005. The project objective is to strengthen the regulatory food control system in order to improve consumer protection by ensuring the safety and quality of both the domestic and imported food supplies. The project objective will be achieved through improving local food control capacity by providing on-site training in food control administration and management including review of legislation and development of food quality and food safety standards and regulations. Training will be provided to laboratory analytical staff, laboratory management, food inspectors and others involved in food quality control.
A TCP project on Strengthening Food Control and Codex began in Bhutan in June 2000 and was completed in late 2002. The project is oriented toward the reorganisation of the food control administration in the country. A new food act has been proposed and the inspection service has been centralised. Some activities are still ongoing for upgrading the chemical and microbiological food laboratories.
A TCP project on strengthening control of residues in meat and derived products began in China in May 2001 and was completed at the end of 2002. The project is justified by the strong interest of the country to comply with the requirements of the WTO membership. The country received assistance in training and provision of laboratory equipment to apply reference methods in the control of veterinary drug residues and pesticides residues in meat and derived products. The training was conducted in the country and at the FAO/IAEA Reference Centre for Food and Pesticide Control.
A TCP project in India was initiated in November 2000 and is scheduled for completion in mid 2003. The objective of the project is to strengthen the National Codex Committee and the National Codex Contact Point to ensure the effective conduct of Codex work at a national level and enhanced participation at international level. Activities include a series of training for government professionals, industry and consumer groups on strengthening food safety and quality systems in India through the National Codex Committee. A prioritised action plan for harmonisation of national food standards and regulations with CAC recommendations is an expected output of the project.
A TCP project for Mongolia to Strengthen Food Import Control commenced in June 2002 with an anticipated completion date of January 2004. The objectives of the project are to establish and strengthen the national system of control of food import quality and safety. This is extremely important for Mongolia as 90% of the food consumed in Mongolia is imported. Specifically, the project will improve the institutional set up for the control of food import in Mongolia, provide training to food inspectors, strengthen laboratory facilities and train analytical staff associated with border food control. It will also raise awareness of national authorities of the work of Codex internationally, the relevance of this work nationally and the importance of full stakeholder participation in food control matters.
A TCP project to develop an Export Inspection and Certification Programme in Vietnam began in May 1999 and concluded in June 2002. The main objective of the project was to assist in establishing an efficient, well-managed and reliable export inspection and certification system for food that meets WTO requirements, and to improve the capability of laboratories in Vietnam to carry out chemical and microbiological analyses of foods. Activities carried out in order to meet this objective included; training of involved parties in Vietnam on WTO requirements in international food trade, provision of assistance to the Government of Vietnam in establishing appropriate procedures for export inspection and certification of nuts, grains, fresh and processed fruit and vegetables, training of laboratory staff in appropriate analytical techniques, laboratory management and quality assurance procedures and training of food inspectors. Additionally, study tours for 2 senior government officials were provided to facilitate insight into the establishment and day-to-day running of food export control systems, these officials will be instrumental in developing similar systems in Vietnam.
A TCP project to improve coffee quality and prevent ochratoxin A (OTA) contamination in Vietnam began in September 2002 and is scheduled to be completed in August 2004. The project involves defining mould formation mechanisms, identifying critical control points, evaluating optimal drying conditions, and developing the necessary tools (e.g. GAP, GMP and HACCP) to control and monitor OTA production.
In July 2001, the Asian Development Bank [ADB] contracted with the WHO Western Pacific Regional Office to provide technical support for a Technical Assistance Agreement between the ADB and the Government of Vietnam, focusing on strengthening the functions and capabilities of the Vietnam Food Administration (Ministry of Health). The Agreement involves almost half a million US dollars in support over a 13-month period.
The current collaborative programme among ADB, WHO and the Government involves a four-pronged approach addressing (I) policy and legislation; (ii) laboratory facilities and operations; (iii) food-borne disease surveillance; and (iv) information, education, communication and training.
WHO is working with the Food Administration to develop food safety policy and legislation; to enhance food-borne disease surveillance through active laboratory-based surveillance and sentinel site surveillance; to identify an inventory of essential analytical equipment; to facilitate the creation of a network of food laboratories and trained analysts; and to develop national capacity in education and communication about food safety. WHO has also extended the benefits obtained from this programme by networking the programme with its own regular budget activities and with activities being undertaken collaboratively with the Australia New Zealand Food Authority (ANZFA). In the recent FAO/WHO Global Forum of Food Safety Regulators, conducted in Morocco, 28-30 January 2002, this Regional initiative was pointed to as a possible model for future joint projects in the area of food safety. It combines the technical expertise of WHO and national food safety agencies active in the area with funding from a development bank (ADB) to facilitate the building of capacity in a priority area of public health concern.
Upcoming Activities/Projects
As a follow-up to the recommendations of the first Global Forum of Food Safety Regulators and in line with the 123rd FAO Council’s instructions, FAO and WHO have sought the views of the countries of each region on the interest in convening other regional food safety conferences. At the request of the Codex Coordinating Committee for Asia, preparations are underway for a Regional Forum on Food Safety and Quality for Asia and the Pacific to be held in Kuala Lumpur Malaysia 24-27 May 2004. A second preparatory meeting with the permanent representatives of the Asian and Pacific region to FAO, WHO representatives, and food safety officials from the countries of the region is planned for 3 July 2003 to further discuss the themes of the conference and specific papers to be presented.
The Government of China has requested assistance with the introduction, extension, and utilisation of testing technologies of pesticide residues in vegetables and other agriculture by-products. The proposal is in the review stage.
The Government of Pakistan has requested assistance for building national capacity for Food Quality and Safety. Specifically, the Ministry for Food, Agriculture and Livestock (MINFAL) is seeking assistance in reviewing and revising national SPS laws, remodelling animal and plant quarantine services, enhancing the capabilities of reference laboratories, forging technical linkages and fostering cooperation with developed economies. The request is still in the initial formulation phase.
The Government of Thailand has requested assistance with strengthening compliance of the SPS requirements for expanded exports of fresh and processed fruits and vegetables. The project has been requested by the Government of Thailand given the great potential in Thailand for exporting fresh and processed fruits and vegetables. The project will provide training in Good Manufacturing Practices (GMPs) and Good Hygiene Practices (GHP) at the level of industry and food safety officials. Training in microbiological risk analysis will also be provided. This project is currently in the final stages of the review process.
Capacity Building Activities in Europe
Regional Activities
Regional Workshops
FAO and the Slovak Agricultural University jointly held a workshop for delegates from Eastern and Central European countries on Internet Portal on Food Safety- Communication Systems to Strengthen Food Safety and Build Consumer Confidence in Nitra, Slovakia on 23-26 March 2003. The workshop discussed the following systems to facilitate communication in food safety: 1) International Portal for Food Safety, Animal and Plant Health; 2) Rapid Alert System of the EU; 3) Emerging Risk Identification System developed by the Netherlands; and 4) Agroweb Information System for Central and Eastern Europe. The workshop report is available from: www.nitranet.org/conference/papers/nitrafinalreport.pdf
WHO regional workshops held in Europe include: the first and second WHO Workshops on Intersectoral Development of Food and Nutrition Action Plans in South East Europe in Malta 2000 and in Bulgaria 2001 respectively; the second workshop for development of the Food and Nutrition Action Plan for the Nordic and Baltic countries in Latvia, June 2001; and the first WHO/FAO workshop to develop Food and Nutrition Action Plans for countries in southern Europe, Rome 2002.
Regional Projects
An FAO project on Sub-regional Training on Meat Inspection and Meat Technology for Albania, Croatia, Czech Republic, Slovakia and Slovenia was approved in October 2000. The overall objective of this project is to enable increased market access for the participating countries to lucrative meat and meat product markets. This will be accomplished by improving national capacities for the production of higher quality and quantity meat and meat products, which meet European Union standards. A core of 30 persons trained as trainers will carry out national training in meat inspection and relevant technology including the HACCP system. Each country will develop a training program and plan of action for improving the standards of the meat sector. A final workshop will provide both a forum and a mechanism for discussing a co-ordinated regional approach for access to the broader European Market.
The WHO Food Safety Programme in Europe has been assisting Member States in the development of National Food Safety Strategies within the framework of the development of the Food and Nutrition Policy and Action Plans in Europe, which integrates a food safety strategy, a nutrition strategy and a sustainable food supply strategy.
The WHO Food Safety Strategy in Europe aims to develop and strengthen National Food Safety Programmes through the development of modern food legislation, strengthening of surveillance of foodborne disease and monitoring of food contamination for the provision of data for risk assessment, and the promotion of risk based food control systems.
The WHO Nutrition, Food Security and Food Safety European Programmes have prepared the book “Food and Health a Basis for action in Europe” which promotes the development of food and nutrition policies which protect and promote health and reduce the burden of food related diseases, while contributing to socioeconomic development and a sustainable environment.
The WHO Food Safety Programme in Europe initiated a multi-country public health initiative for training Food Safety Officers of the Central Asiatic Republics at the Kazakhstan School of Public Health. Five training modules will be organized on this project: food legislation, epidemiology, food microbiology, chemical analyses on foods and risk analyses. The basic texts and standards of the FAO/WHO Codex Alimentarius Commission are being translated into Russian in order to enhance regional food safety legislation.
The countries that have signed the Stability Pact (Albania, Bosnia & Hercegovina, Bulgaria, Croatia, the Former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia, Romania, Slovenia & Yugoslavia) have prepared in collaboration with WHO/EURO and the Council for Europe a sub-regional project to Strengthen Food Safety & Nutrition Services in South East Europe. The first component for capacity building on Food Legislation has just been funded.
National Activities
National Workshops
The WHO European Food Safety Programme organized a training workshop on HACCP for sanitary and veterinary inspectors, April 2001 in Albania. A similar course will be organized for the Former Yugoslavian Republic of Macedonia.
In November 2001, a training programme for food inspectors was held in Malta. The training was sponsored by the WHO Food Safety Programme in Europe and included training for food inspectors on food safety and street vendors with follow-up training for food microbiologists.
FAO Field Projects
A TCP project to improve the diversification of value-added production and certification in environmental farming systems in Croatia was approved in April 2003 and is scheduled for completion in September 2004. The project will be jointly facilitated by the Food Quality and Standards Service and the Environment and Natural Resources Service of FAO.
A project to Improve the Food Control Administration and Strengthen Food Import/Export Control and Food Analytical Services in Lithuania began in May of 1999 and was completed in November 2001. The project aimed to support further development of food control systems in the country in order to assure adequate consumer protection and promote export of agricultural products through greater compliance with internationally recognised standards and procedures. The main project outputs included; establishment and training of an import/export task force, establishment of a food legislation task force, training of planners and policy makers in risk analysis and improved capacity of food control laboratories.
A project in Moldova to Strengthen the Organisation of the National Codex Committee was completed in 2002. The main objective of the project was to provide the basis for the establishment of an effective system for food standardisation and safety, consumer protection and market access through the strengthening of the National Codex Committee and its operational mechanisms, with the ultimate aim of enhancing government capacity to improve the level of national standards in both local food control matters and international trade. The main project outcomes were: establishment of a 23 member National Codex Committee; establishment of a Codex information system and national office; review of national legislation with the goal of harmonisation with Codex official standards; training in modern food control methods for key persons in the food control organisation of Moldova.
A TCP project to Strengthen the Food Quality and Safety System of Turkey was approved in April 2003 and is scheduled to be completed in July 2004.
Upcoming Activities/Projects
There are a few projects currently in the formulation and approval phases.
The Czech government has requested assistance of FAO in strengthening non-governmental organisations of Central and Eastern Europe related to the implementation of Food Safety Guarantee Policy. The general objective of the requested project is to improve communications with consumer public on food safety matters in Central and Eastern European Countries. The proposed outputs of the project include a manual for risk communications with consumers and capacity building in the areas of food safety and consumer communications. The project is in the review stage.
The Government of Cyprus has requested FAO's assistance with food safety standards with the objective of becoming more competitive in international trade markets. The proposal is currently in the formulation stage.
The Government of Moldova has requested assistance in Legislative and Institutional Strengthening of Food Control. This project will be merged into a regional project.
The Russian Federation and Ukraine have requested to WHO/EURO the organization of training on epidemiological investigation of foodborne outbreaks and on food microbiological analyses.
Tajikistan has requested to the WHO Food Safety Programme in Europe to provide training on microbiological/chemical risk assessment and communication.
Capacity Building Activities in Latin America and the Caribbean
REGIONAL ACTIVITIES
Regional Workshops
An FAO/WHO/ILSI pre-Codex meeting on the subject of Risk Analysis and Exposure Assessment and was held in Santo Domingo, Dominican Republic from 13-16 February 2001. Sixty- two participants representing government institutions involved in food control, university technical experts and senior administrators and researchers were in attendance. The overall objectives of this workshop were to: familiarise participants with the principles of risk analysis and in particular the methodologies for the assessment of exposure to food-borne hazards; to raise the awareness of participants of the region in risk assessment; to provide guidelines to participants on the data required to assess exposure and to encourage participants to apply expertise acquired on risk analysis of food-borne hazards in food legislation.
An FAO, Association of Analytical Chemists (AOAC) Latin America and the Caribbean Section Workshop on Risk Analysis/ Assessment Methodology was held in Montevideo, Uruguay on 18 November 2001. The workshop was attended by seventy participants from the region. The overall objective of the workshop was to further update participants on the requirements for risk analysis and in particular to exemplify its application through practical case studies. The workshop included presentations on the methods and models used in risk assessment, in particular exposure assessment, with case studies on contaminants, microbiology and GMO’s.
FAO/ILSI and Instituto Nacional de Technologia Industriel (INTI) organised a Risk Analysis Workshop for the Southern Cone Countries in Buenos Aires from 12-13 August 2002. Forty participants from the region attended the workshop. The main objectives of the workshop were to familiarise participants with the principles of risk analysis and the methodologies for its qualitative and quantitative risk assessment for food contaminants and additives and to provide information on the data required for risk assessment and promote the application of this data in formulating managerial decisions. The workshop was organised with a practical approach and presented real case studies. The programme included risk analysis principles followed by each lecturer’s presentation of risk assessment examples and their own institution’s approach to solving them. Practical group exercises were conducted on case studies from real scenarios on chemical and microbiological contaminants, food additives, veterinary drug residues, and pesticides, where the risk assessment approach was used to come to a management decision by the participants’ government to solve a food safety issue. The presentations included scientific as well as policy and regulatory aspects.
A Workshop on Applying Food Safety Risk Analysis in Latin America and the Caribbean – Practical Approaches, was organized jointly by FAO and PAHO/WHO-INPPAZ in cooperation with ILSI, on 8 December 2002. The workshop was held in Santo Domingo, Dominican Republic immediately preceding the Thirteenth Session of the Codex Coordinating Committee for Latin America and the Caribbean. Participants included 40 officials from 16 countries, representing the main government institutions involved in food control, industries and universities, at the level of technical experts, senior administrators and researchers. The workshop provided current approaches and practical tools for the application of risk analysis in food safety with local case studies to demonstrate risk assessment using local data. It further addressed the specific requirements for the determination and application of microbial and chemical risk analysis and in particular: acquainted participants with the principles of risk analysis and the in depth methodologies for assessing exposure to microbial and chemical food borne hazards; sensitized participants to the risk analysis needs in the region; provided guidance to participants on the data required and methodology/ calculations necessary for exposure assessment; applied the acquired knowledge in risk assessment of food borne hazards in implementing their managerial decisions and communicating food safety strategies. The full report is available from: ftp://ftp.fao.org/es/esn/food/meetings/10Dec2002report.pdf
Regional Projects
A project to modernise the food control systems of Andean countries was funded in August of 1999 and ran through December 2001. The project was implemented in Bolivia, Colombia, Ecuador, Peru, and Venezuela. The main objective of the project was to facilitate the design of a plan of action for each participating country for modernising food control systems and to formulate national projects to harmonise food control. These objectives were met through a series of regional level workshops to design, present and revise National Plans of Action for food control. Supported by international experts, five national consultants, one for each country, reviewed the current food control regulations and implementation of the food control system in each country. Current problems were defined followed by a plan listing necessary steps to be taken to achieve the goals set out in the national plan of action. National workshops were held to co-ordinate the work set out in the national plan(s) of action.
A regional project to strengthen National Codex Committees in Central America began in March 2001 and was completed in December 2002. The project was implemented in Costa Rica, El Salvador, Guatemala, Honduras, Nicaragua, Panama and Dominican Republic. The main objective of the project was to create and/or strengthen National Codex Committees in each country and facilitate the application of Codex guidelines and recommendations. The objectives were met through a series of regional and national workshops to establish and strengthen National Codex Committees and review the structure and responsibilities of subsidiary Codex bodies. A Codex information system will be created in each country to disseminate to government and other stakeholders relevant information including new guidelines and regulations established by Codex.
Fourteen National Seminars on Codex (2 per country), 7 sub-regional workshops and 49 national workshops (7 per country) have been carried out with 700 persons trained and 125 formed as trainers. A Codex information system which will include the web sites of the 7 national Codex Committees will be created in each country to disseminate relevant information to governments and to other stakeholders. A comparative analysis between the local regulations and Codex standards was carried out in each country with the purpose of promoting their harmonisation or equivalence. During this project, international and regional organisations such as INPPAZ/PAHO, INCAP/PAHO and OIRSA participated. The complete project, including objective and activities with the corresponding reports and documents, is available at: http://www.fao.org/Regional/LAmerica/prior/comagric/codex/rla0065/0065.htm.
A project to Strengthen Phytosanitary Capabilities in the Caribbean Community (CARICOM) region began in 2000 and was completed in 2002. The main objective of the project was to strengthen the phytosanitary capabilities of the CARICOM member countries, with particular emphasis on pest exclusion, and to ensure that legal frameworks are consistent with new international trade agreements. These objectives were met by drafting instructions for plant protection legislation, training phytosanitary officers at both the policy and operational level and creating an information sharing and exchange network for the region.
A project to assist countries with trade was initiated in September 2001 as part of the Regional Special Programme for Food Security (RSPFS) for the Caribbean. The specific objective of this TCP assistance is to formulate a trade facilitation project as a component of the Regional Special Programme for Food Security (RSPFS) for the Caribbean. Particular attention will be given to food quality and safety standards; trade and commodity development programmes; transitory and compensatory measures relating to the present trading environment, and capacity building required for effective participation in multilateral trade negotiations. Specific elements of trade facilitation within the overall framework of RSPFS include, upgrading Food Quality and Safety Standards, promoting intra-regional trade in agriculture, raising the competitiveness of agricultural commodities (both import and export) and increasing national capacity to participate effectively in multilateral trade negotiations on agriculture.
A project to evaluate and strengthen the prevention systems for Bovine Spongiform Encephalopathy (BSE) and the feed quality control system began in Argentina, Brazil, Chile, Colombia, Mexico, Paraguay, Peru and Uruguay. (TCP/RAL/0017 Evaluación y Reforzamiento del Sistema de Prevención de la Encefalopatia Espongiforme Bovina (EEB) y el Sistema de Control de Calidad de Piensos) The project promotes capacity building in food quality and safety at regional level in South America. The activities of the project are to help ensure the quality and safety of the bovine meat produced both for internal consumption and for international trade, ensuring that all beef produced is free from BSE. The project involves the organisation of two study trips and three regional courses in risk analysis, epidemiological surveillance and laboratory diagnosis.
A regional project to strengthen the management of National Codex Committees and Application of the Codex Alimentarius standards of the Andean Countries was initiated in September of 2002 and will continue until through May 2004. Bolivia, Colombia, Ecuador, Peru and Venezuela will participate in this project. The main objectives are to strengthen the management of the National Codex Committees; to develop a national and sub-regional training program and to promote the harmonisation of the national standards to Codex. The objectives will be met through a series of regional workshops and seminars and plans of action for strengthening National Committees. The project also plans to establish a regional Codes Website.
Other Regional Activities
FAO published in 2001 the “Guide for the municipal management of food security and nutrition”, in Spanish, which includes chapters on food supply and implementation of a municipal system on food control and Codex information. This publication is available from: http://www.rlc.fao.org/pubs/document.htm
The Inter American Network of Food Analysis Laboratories (INFAL), with secretariat ex officio by the Pan American Institute of Food Protection and zoonoses (INPPAZ/PAHO) and FAO Regional Office for Latin America and the Caribbean, is conducting a survey of laboratories. INFAL´s First Assembly was carried out in Aruba (June 11-13, 2001). During the meeting bylaws were approved; members of the Executive Committee were elected; four technical groups were created (food microbiology, laboratory quality assurance, residues of veterinary drugs in foods, and food additives, contaminants and pesticide residues); and the Plan of Action for the period 2001-2003 was also established. The project will now be conducted as two projects in the Central American and South American regions.
With FAO’s support, the Latin American Food Composition Network (LATINFOODS) continued working on the update of the Regional Food Composition Table which is available from: http://www.fao.org/Regional/LAmerica/bases/alimento/default.htm. In addition, the first electronic conference on “Data compilation for food composition tables and databases” was carried out (May 6 - 24, 2002) with the participation of 101 professionals from 17 countries and INCAP/PAHO and FAO.
National Activities
Workshops and Seminars
A FAO/ILSI-Brazil National Seminar on Risk Analysis for Food Control: A Practical Approach through Case Studies was held in Brasilia, Brazil from 9-11 May 2001. Eighty persons representing the main Government Institutions involved in food control, industries and Universities at the level of technical experts, senior administrators and researchers participated. Case studies on microbial pathogens, chemical contaminants, GMOs, mycotoxins, additives, BSE and packaging, were presented by the invited international and national lecturers. The implications of risk analysis in the new international trade context for developing economies and constraints in complying with import requirements were discussed. Five working groups were created for problem solving examples of different food safety issues where risk analysis methodology had been applied and in mock case studies using the participant’s own data. Solutions to the case studies, conclusions and establishment of priorities were prepared on the final day by each working group and one common workshop recommendation was approved.
The National Codex Committee from Paraguay (CONACAP) and FAO organised a National Seminar on Codex Alimentarius which was held in Asunción (1 August, 2001) with the participation of 45 persons. Achievements and difficulties of CONACAP were discussed and several recommendations were agreed, one of them being the strengthening of the management of CONACAP. This recommendation has originated the formulation of a FAO technical cooperation project.
FAO and the Ministry of Health of Chile organised a workshop in Laboratory Quality Assurance in Santiago, Chile from 4-8 August, 2002. The course general objective was the development of a quality assurance system for chemical analysis of food, to train participants from the national health laboratory network in the establishment and implementation of an analytical quality system complying with the standard ISO 17025 for their laboratories and in preparing for accreditation. The course consisted of lectures and exercises, including a practical audit.
FAO provided assistance to the Government of Chile, General Secretariat of the Presidency and the Dirección Multilateral, Ministry of Foreign Affairs, in modernising their food control system. A seminar and working sessions were held with local authorities from the ministries and institutes responsible for food control activities in the country in relation to the reform process currently being undertaken to update and unify the food and agricultural sectors. Over 30 participants attended the Seminar from the Presidency, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the National Codex Committee, Ministries of Agriculture, Health, Trade, Industry, Consumer organisations, and Universities. The main topics of the discussions were key issues in the transition to a modern food control system, including legislation, management, inspection, laboratories, co-ordination of activities and policies, economic feasibility and trade impact. The FAO/WHO recently updated Guidelines for Food Control Systems were discussed. Presentations were also given on modern food control systems with practical examples and case studies from countries with similar agriculture-based economies in the process of modernising into a unified system.
In addition, numerous conferences were given by FAO’s technical officers at regional and national meetings.
Field Projects
A project designed to strengthen Food Control and Safety for Fish Export in Antigua began in January 2001 was completed in September 2002. The project will assist the government to organise and manage food control activities in the country, including, drafting of new food regulations to ensure safe and wholesome local food products; improvement of the inspection and certification of export fish and fishery products; training of food control personnel and upgrading the analytical capabilities of the food control laboratory. These goals will be accomplished through technical backstopping missions by experts in the areas of food quality control and fish inspection and quality control, a study tour for one Ministry official on export fish certification, review of lab equipment, training for lab staff and production of a manual on food inspection.
A second phase project to strengthen the National Codex Committee on Argentina was funded in May 2000 and completed in April 2001. The objective of this assistance was to improve and expand the Codex information system and enhance the capacity of the national body to highlight national issues of importance at international Codex meetings. The project aims to strengthen the National Codex Committee through the appointment and training of 9 provincial Codex focal points on international criteria for the development of norms, guides and recommendations of Codex and their application in control programs. The project will conduct a series of workshops on food control issues, including, application of HACCP and risk analysis in food control; training for food inspectors and training of laboratory technicians in quality control measures.
A project to Control Legislation for Veterinary Drug use in Barbados was funded for five months beginning in August 2000 and continued through part of 2001. The global objective of the project was to aid Barbados in developing new legislation on the control of veterinary drugs and to regularise the trade in veterinary drugs, ranging from their import and manufacture to their storage and sale. The legislation will also protect consumers and foster exports of food products. The final project outcomes included, a system for registration of all veterinary drugs permitted for use in Barbados, establishment of a licensing system for veterinary drug importers, legislation on maximum residue limits (MRL’s) for foods of animal origin and improvement of national programmes for monitoring and control of veterinary drug residues in foods of animal origin.
A project designed to strengthen the Food Control System in Guyana began in May 2002 and will continue through October 2003. The project will assist the Government in upgrading the food law and harmonising national food standards with international standards. Efficiency of the food inspection system will be improved in order to facilitate compliance with the WTO Agreements on SPS and TBT. The analytical capabilities of the Government food control laboratory will be upgraded, to ensure the monitoring of food contaminants and permit the certification of exported products. The capability of the Guyana National Bureau of Standards (GNBS) and the National Codex Committee will be strengthened, facilitating more active and effective national participation in Codex work. The successful accomplishment of the project should produce a coherent food control system with efficient utilisation of resources and operations compliant with international requirements. The laboratory will be upgraded and personnel trained to expedite product testing and certification. Codex contact point will be strengthened to allow for improved involvement in Codex work, with national interests protected and adequate representation in the international arena. The National Legal Consultant will be trained in legislative drafting and will therefore be able to assist in later preparation of regulations and standards.
A project to strengthen the food control system of Haiti began in July 2002 and is scheduled to be completed in 2003. This is a second phase project following up on an 18 month project to reinforce national food control capacity. The main activities of this project will be drafting of food law and basic regulations in accordance with Codex Guidelines, creation of a National Codex Committee, training of food inspector trainers, training of laboratory personnel and provision of basic laboratory equipment.
A project to strengthen the National Codex Committee in Paraguay began in July 2002 and is scheduled for completion in February 2004. The main objectives of the project are to support the work of the National Codex Committee and Codex focal point, to establish linkages between government sectors, industry and consumers, develop an action plan to update national food standards in harmony with Codex guidelines and to establish a web site for exchange of information on Codex. The project will achieve these objectives through technical assistance provided by international experts, including assistance in drafting a proposal for modernising the food control system and provision of training and workshops on food control systems and the role of Codex.
An eighteen month project to strengthen the food control system of Suriname began in May 2002 and is scheduled to continue through October 2003. The main objective of the project is to strengthen the National Food Control System through providing training, upgrading laboratory facilities and supporting the functioning of the National Codex Committee and its Working Groups. The expected project outputs are amended national food laws, regulations and standards which comply with international guidelines, improved food inspection service which applies modern quality assurance and HAACP principles, improved laboratory facilities capable of contamination monitoring in primary agricultural products and processed foods and a plan of action on food safety, conforming to Codex Commission recommendations.
A project designed to strengthen the National Codex Committee of Uruguay began in 2001 and will continue until 2003. The main objective of this project is to improve national and local capacity of the Codex Committee, by enhancing the decision making structure and encouraging greater participation from government officials, industry and other stakeholders in National Codex activities. The outcome of this project will be a stronger Codex Committee able to inform and advise the state and civil society in matters related to Codex.
A project was funded to provide emergency technical assistance to the Government of Uruguay in evaluating Fusarium contamination of grains. A large part of the 2001 wheat crop was infected with Fusarium, a mould species that produces the mycotoxin deoxynivalenol (DON) which can have both short term and long term detrimental effects on human and animal health. Immediate assistance was provided by FAO and emergency legislation was passed limiting the DON content in human foods and animal feed. The project has been expanded into longer-term technical assistance (2002-2004) with the purpose of establishing adequate controls in the supply chain and to formulate future prevention and control strategies. It includes a study mission, extensive training activities in GAP, GMP and HACCP for mycotoxin prevention and control, an integrated national action plan, rapid detection methods and laboratory strengthening, the establishment of a DON rapid alert forecasting system and a crop information network.
Upcoming Activities/Projects
Regional Workshops
FAO, in collaboration with the Centro Nacional de Sanidad Agropecuaria (CENSA), is facilitating a workshop on the application of the HACCP system for mycotoxin prevention and control to be held 22-23 September, 2003, in Havana, Cuba. The workshop will be held immediately prior to the IV Latin American Society for Mycotoxicology (SLAM) Congress. Preliminary program available from: www.fao.org/es/ESN/food/capacity_workshops2003_en.stm
Field Projects
Two joint ESNS and AGE (Joint FAO/IAEA Division) projects have been approved under the Prevention of Food Losses (PFL) Special Fund which involve capacity building activities in Latin America.
A regional project for strengthening the analytical activities, laboratory quality assurance and capacity building of the Interamerican Network of Food Analytical Laboratories (INFAL) is currently being drafted.
The Government of Argentina has requested assistance for an Integrated Program for Mycotoxin Prevention and Control. The project is in the formulation phase.
The Government of Brazil has requested assistance with a project to improve the quality of black pepper through the Ministry of Agriculture and Supply, Vegetable Production Control and Promotion. The proposal is currently in the formulation phase.
Capacity Building Activities in the Near East
REGIONAL ACTIVITIES
Regional Workshops
The Arab Federation of Consumers (AFC) FAO and WHO held an Intercountry Workshop on Emerging Food Safety Issues and Consumer Protection in Jordan, from 28 to 30 October 2001. The meeting discussed various issues pertaining to the role of consumer organisations in the field of food safety and how this role can be enhanced to promote consumer protection at the national and regional level. Participants agreed that this role should not be seen as antagonistic to official food control authorities but rather complementary, in the interest of the consumer. Among other important issues, the meeting underlined the need for consumer organisations to be self-reliant and independent, in order to avoid conflicts of interest and build credibility among consumers. The meeting highlighted the importance of active participation by consumer societies in risk management and risk communication activities as they pertain to food safety. Finally, participants at the meeting discussed the possible involvement of international organisations in supporting the work of consumer organisations. It identified in particular the area of technical support by FAO and WHO and other international organisations in the form of provision of information on food-borne outbreak management and emerging food safety issues, as well as up-to-date scientific information, scientific reference material, expert advice, consumer education material, and training in the areas of food safety and risk analysis.
An FAO/IAEA/WHO Regional Training Workshop on Development of Quality Assurance for Mycotoxin Analysis was organised in Cairo, Egypt, from 1 to 6 December 2001. Participants from sixteen countries from the Near East and Africa participated. The objective of the workshop was to discuss the establishment of quality assurance systems for mycotoxin analysis following international guidelines. The participants were introduced to the concepts of quality assurance and specifications necessary for accreditation for mycotoxin analysis in laboratories. Current scientific knowledge of mycotoxins was discussed with particular emphasis on how this relates to new regulations and barriers to trade. The general consensus as reflected in the evaluation forms was that this was a highly useful training course, to be repeated for other subject areas or general laboratory quality assurance.
FAO and WHO facilitated a Food Control Systems Workshop immediately prior to the 2nd Session of the Codex Coordinating Committee for the Near East (19 Jan 2003, Cairo, Egypt). Representatives from Tunisia, Jordan, United Arab Emirates, the Gulf Cooperation Council, and Egypt presented experiences from their country or region on unique aspects of their food control system. FAO presented the newly revised Food Control Guidelines and representatives from WHO presented information on food borne disease surveillance systems and risk communication lessons from the Acrylamide experience. A report of the workshop is available from: www.fao.org/es/ESN/food/capacity_workshops2003.
WHO Regional Plan of Action
The Regional Plan of Action, which was adopted by the Regional Committee in October 1999, was subsequently launched in the WHO Regional Workshop on New Challenges in Food Safety: The Regional Action Plan, Dubai, United Arab Emirates, 5-7 December 1999. The plan stipulates that all food safety efforts should be based upon a thorough review of the food safety situation, and most Member States have actually initiated this review, either as part of the implementation of the joint workplan with EMRO or independently thereof.
Food safety country profiles have been prepared, based on the EMR Food safety questionnaire, for most of the countries. This questionnaire, which has been circulated to all Member States, collects information on all aspects pertaining to food safety, be they directly or indirectly. A completed profile will be a strong tool to define gaps and areas for increased collaboration between all involved partners and to set strategies for the future. One other important factor mentioned in the Regional Action plan is the (re-) establishment of national food safety committees, in the light of the fact that food safety is a multisectoral, inter-ministerial are of work that requires strong collaboration, co-ordination and communication.
A WHO intercountry meeting on ‘Promotion of Food Safety: Regional Food Safety Network’ was organised in Jordan, on 31 October and 1 November 2001. In this meeting, 12 countries presented a country paper based on the food safety questionnaire. All the presentations were unanimous in the recommendations that there is an urgent need for a network in the region that can provide a forum for informal peer discussion on food safety related issues such as: outbreaks; rejected and recalled foods; harmonisation of procedures (import and export, sampling and testing methods, inspection and training); exchange of information on development of food safety programs and research; risk analysis data and tools; food control systems, programs, and events; global events of importance to the forum.
This network was subsequently established by WHO/EMRO under the title ‘Regional Food Safety Network’ in November 2001. The meeting also observed that with the data presently available, the calculation of food-borne burden of disease is not feasible. Ongoing WHO research on the burden of disease should incorporate food borne diseases as a determinant for the global burden of disease. Furthermore, systems of (food borne) disease surveillance in the Region were discussed and it was stated that a thorough assessment of surveillance systems as well as existing data was urgently required.
A WHO/EMRO Regional Consultation on Food Borne Disease Surveillance was convened in EMRO, from 18 to 20 December 2001. Within the framework of the WHO Global Salmonella Surveillance Program, in short GSS or Global Salm-Surv, WHO/EMRO collaborated with WHO/HQ, CDC Atlanta and the Danish Veterinary Institute in order to organise a regional training course on Surveillance of Salmonella and Anti-microbial Resistance in food borne Pathogens.
A WHO training course on Food Borne Disease Surveillance was held from 23 to 27 June 2002 in the Jordan University of Science and Technology in Irbid, Jordan.
As a direct result of both the consultation and the training course, a special study into the burden of food borne diseases will be undertaken in Jordan with the assistance of WHO, CDC, the Jordanian authorities and some possible other partners. The first preparatory meeting was organised in Jordan in October 2002.
A manual on ‘Developing food legislation, guidelines for developing food legislation for food control systems in countries of the Eastern Mediterranean’ is being prepared, in order to serve as a guiding document.
National Activities
Field Projects
Through continuous feedback and support, various WHO Member states have been assisted in their efforts to improve the national food control systems. Country profiles and food safety strategies have been prepared, or are being prepared, in a number of countries, and revision of existing or drafting of new food legislation is under way either independently of this process or as a component thereof. For example one Member State, through a consensus building exercise of jointly drafting food legislation, the health and agricultural authorities have finalised the draft legislation that is now ready for presentation to the Cabinet. One other Member State published its new legislation, which became effective in early 2002.
A project to support the Management and Control of Pesticides, Animal Drug and Chemical Residues in Foodstuffs was initiated in Iran, in August 2000. The objective of the project is to promote the application of Good Agricultural Practices in the use of pesticides and Good Animal Husbandry Practices (GAHP) in the use of prescribed animal drugs and to enhance the government’s capabilities in the monitoring and control of residues (pesticides, animal drugs and other chemical residues) in foodstuffs. The project will aim to ensure maximum consumer protection and promote international trade in foodstuffs. The objectives of the project will be met through a series of training activities concerning GAHP for livestock extension officers and Good Agricultural Practices (GAP) for agricultural extension officers, improvements in the capability of national laboratories to detect pesticide and veterinary drug residues in foods and establishment of National Maximum Residue Limits which take into account Codex recommendations on these matters. A framework for a national monitoring and control program of pesticide and drug residues in foodstuffs will also be established.
A TCP project to assist in the Analysis of the Control and Management of Mycotoxins in Foodstuffs was initiated in Iran in April 2003 and is scheduled to be completed in September 2004.
A project to Upgrade the Food Control System in Lebanon was completed in October 2001. The main objectives of the project were to improve the efficiency of the food control system and strengthen local capacity through training. With the support of international and national consultants, a core of food inspection personnel received a training of trainers course, these trainers in turn, carried out a series of workshops for food inspectors and food technicians working at the national and sub-national level in government and industry. A thorough and systematic review of the current food control system was also completed, resulting in an improved system of quality assurance and revised and updated national food standards.
A project to support the creation of a harmonised food control system based on risk analysis principles began in Morocco in January 2002. The overall goal of the project is to improve the food control system through enhanced quality control measures and harmonisation of tasks between the different Moroccan agencies involved in food control. The objectives of the project will be met through visits to Morocco by international consultants working with local authorities to draw up a proposal to reorganise the food control system, study tours for Moroccan officials to visit countries with strong food control systems and workshops for government officials, research institutions and consumer groups responsible for food control.
A project to assist the Government of Sudan in Harmonising Food Standards and Regulations to facilitate International trade of Food Products began in January 2002. The objective of the project is to assist the Government of the Sudan in reviewing and updating the food standards and regulations in the country as well as in strengthening the organisational set/up of the National Codex Committee and its operational mechanism. This objective will be accomplished through a full review of the national food control and food import/export system, multi-sectoral workshops on National food control strategies, Codex and WTO and strengthening of the National Codex Committee.
A project to strengthen the National Codex Committee and update/harmonise food standards and regulations began in Syria in November 2002 and will continue through July 2004. The objective of the assistance is to strengthen the capacity of the Syrian National Codex Committee to effectively serve as an advisory body to the government on national food control matters and, in the process, harmonise Syrian food standards and regulations with the CAC requirements as well as update and consolidate older food regulations. The ultimate aim is to enhance the Government capacity to improve the level of national standards in conformity with international trade requirements
A one-year project to strengthen the National Codex Committee of Tunisia received funding in March 2000. The main objective of the project was to aid the Government of Tunisia to strengthen food quality and control systems and promote export of agricultural products by putting into place a National Codex Committee capable of responding to the changing international trade environment. The objective of this project will be achieved by implementation of the appropriate mechanisms to ensure correct functioning of the Codex committee, sensitisation of principal actors (food industry, academia, consumers) on the functioning of Codex and integration of a plan of action to incorporate Codex recommendations into the operation of the national food control system.
UPCOMING ACTIVITIES/PROJECTS
There are many FAO projects in the both the formulation and approval phases.
The Government of Egypt has requested assistance in Strengthening Quality Control Systems for Cereals and Groundnuts. The request is in the review stage.
The Government of Qatar has requested assistance in improving Quality Control and Standards. The project is in the initial formulation stages.
An official request has been received from the Government of Yemen to Strengthen National Food Inspection Systems. The request is currently in the review stage.
Capacity Building Activities in the South West Pacific
Regional Activities
Regional Workshops
The fourth FAO Round Table Meeting for Pacific Island Countries on WTO Agreement Provisions was held in Wellington on 2-6 April 2001. The meeting was jointly sponsored by FAO, New Zealand and the Trade and Investment Access Facility of the Commonwealth Secretariat (TIAF) as the follow-up to three earlier meetings held in Auckland in September 1998, March 1999 and April 2000 respectively. More than 50 people (lecturers, participants, observers and organisers) representing Cook Islands, Fiji, Kiribati, Nauru, Niue, Papua New Guinea, Samoa, Solomon Islands, Tonga, Tuvalu and Vanuatu attended the meeting. The main objectives of the meeting were to, build sustainable capacity in Pacific Island countries to meet WTO obligations; assess benefits to Pacific Island countries from the existing Agreements; provide tools to Pacific Island countries to act as “equal partners” in the continuation of the reform process; debate and discuss outstanding international issues of interest to the Pacific Island Countries related to WTO and the international trade of agriculture and fishery products.
The fifth FAO Round Table Meeting for Pacific Island Countries on WTO Agreement Provisions was held in Wellington on 8 to 12 April 2002. The meeting was jointly sponsored by FAO, TIAF and the New Zealand Government. The five-day meeting was attended by 45 officials from Australia, Cook Islands, Fiji, Kiribati, Marshall Islands, New Zealand, Niue, Papua New Guinea, Samoa, Solomon Islands, Tonga, and Vanuatu. Observers included the Forum Secretariat, South Pacific Trade Commission (SPTC), Secretariat of the Pacific Community (SPC), Forum Fisheries Agency (FFA), Pacific Plant Protection Organization (PPPO), and CTF. The main objectives of the Round Table were to (i) build sustainable capacity in Pacific Island countries to meet WTO obligations; (ii) accrue benefits to Pacific Island countries from the existing Agreements; (iii) provide tools to Pacific Island countries to act as “equal partners” in the continuation of the reform process; and (iv) update, debate and discuss outstanding international issues of interest to the Pacific Island Countries related to WTO and the international trade of agriculture and fishery products.
In a co-ordinated action amongst FAO, the Secretariat of the Pacific Community (SPC) and WHO, a Pacific Islands Food Safety and Quality Consultation was conducted in Nadi, Fiji, 11-15 November 2002. This consultation brought together policy makers responsible for ensuring food safety and quality and some of their technical support staff, with international and partner agencies' representatives. The consultation reviewed the current status of food safety and quality in Pacific Island countries and considered the need for more effective control of food safety and quality in Pacific Island countries. Guidance was provided on how countries may take action to strengthen food control systems as well as how to address obesity prevention and control through more effective regulation of the safety and quality of available food. Actions that can be taken by international organisations, development banks, key aid agencies and other interested parties to better co-ordinate food safety and quality efforts throughout the Pacific were formulated. Advisers, participants and representatives from Australia, Cook Islands, Fiji, Kiribati, Marshall Islands, Federated States of Micronesia, Nauru, Niue, Northern Mariana Islands, Papua New Guinea, Samoa, Solomon Islands, Tonga and Vanuatu attended this meeting.
The Canadian Food Inspection Agency, FAO, and WHO organised a one day Fish Inspection Workshop for representatives of the Southwest Pacific Island Countries on 28 October 2002 in Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada. The workshop took place prior to the 7th Session of the Codex Co-ordinating Committee for North America and the South Pacific.
WHO Regional Projects
The 52nd session of the Regional Committee recognized food safety as a significant public health issue and endorsed a Regional Strategy for Food Safety. The Regional Strategy commits WHO to supporting advocacy and awareness-raising efforts as keys to increasing political commitment to national food safety efforts. Consequently, WHO activities have included support for World Food Day activities focused on food safety in Papua New Guinea; the development of advocacy materials in Papua New Guinea; and national food safety seminars in Kiribati, the Solomon Islands and Papua New Guinea. These activities followed on from the workshop on operational plans of action for food safety in the Western Pacific conducted in Manila, Philippines in November 2000. That workshop brought together health and non-health sector personnel from 14 countries to better recognize the need for multi-sectoral planning and program implementation. Policies, plans of action and legislation are key elements of any effective national food safety program. Food hygiene and environmental health regulations were reviewed and guidance provided to Cook Islands and Palau and food law, hygiene regulations and food recall guidelines drafted in Vanuatu. The Organization also continued to provide guidance to Ministry of Health, Fiji, on a proposed Food Safety Bill and food recall guidelines.
The importance of national food safety programs being founded on sound science was clearly reinforced at the FAO/WHO Global Forum of Food Safety Regulators in Morocco. In this regard, WHO has placed emphasis on strengthening the capacity of Member States to establish food safety programs that are risk-based by supporting targeted contaminant monitoring workshops and monitoring studies of soy and oyster sauce products in Fiji; various foods, including canned fish, in Papua New Guinea; and drinking water and selected foods in Nauru. Furthermore, WHO collaborated with ASEAN and ILSI to increase understanding of risk assessment principles and applications amongst health and non-health sector food safety enforcement officers. Inspectors were also trained in environmental health and food safety in Fiji.
Effective risk communication, education and training are also essential elements of national food safety programs. A program of training trainers of community health workers in food safety was initiated in Fiji and the Republic of the Marshall Islands based on an OPEC Fund for International Development/WHO package called Basic food safety for health workers. Food safety training programmes for food service personnel were conducted in the Northern Mariana Islands.
In the period under review, WHO continued to support capacity building at the local level through implementation of healthy marketplace initiatives. In Papua New Guinea, the biggest market in the country, Gordons' market was revitalized and officially reopened at a launch of the healthy marketplace concept. The market has proven a model that has seen the concept also being taken up in Madang and Mount Hagen. Such expansion has also been a feature in other participating countries. In association with the expansion of the concept there has also been greater attention to the improvement of food safety in the marketplaces through food safety education targeting messages arising from HACCP based studies in the marketplaces
NATIONAL ACTIVITIES
National Workshops
FAO and WHO held a workshop on “National Codex Committee and Establishment of National Plan of Action for Food Safety” at Loloata Island Resort (Boroko, Port Moresby), Papua New Guinea from 12 to 15 June, 2001 through collaborative action. The workshop was funded through WHO and FAO regular programmes and the Government of New Zealand. It was attended by 28 participants from Government and private sector. The main objectives were (i) to promote awareness among key players in food safety standards and food control on role, function and activities of Codex Alimentarius; (ii) strengthen the National Codex Committee in Papua New Guinea and Codex Contact Point; (iii) formulate a strategy, plan of action and identification of infrastructure support’s needs for the Codex Committee; and (iv) the formulation of a strategy, plan of action and identification of infrastructure support’s needs for a national food safety programme.
A workshop on “Food Safety and Codex Alimentarius” was held at Majuro, Marshall Islands from 3 to 5 July 2001 through collaborative action by FAO and WHO. The workshop was funded through WHO and FAO regular programmes. It was attended by 25 participants from Government and private sector. The main objectives were (i) to promote awareness on food safety, elements of food control system and Codex Alimentarius among various stakeholders in Marshall Islands; (ii) the formulation of a strategy, plan of action and (iii) identification of infrastructure support’s needs for the strengthening of food control system in Marshall Islands.
FAO provided technical assistance to the Government of Tonga to perform a needs assessment of food quality control. A needs assessment of laboratory testing capacity was carried out in November of 2001. The Ministries of Agriculture and Forestry, Health, Labor, Commerce and Industry and Fisheries all have responsibility for some aspect of food control and were all consulted. Visits were also made to food industries, markets and NGOs. The subsequent report highlighted an absence of food testing and research facilities and advocated the establishment of a food control laboratory for Tonga, possibly operated under the control of the National Codex Commission, which was established in 1999. The establishment of such a facility should improve capacity to assure the quality of imported and domestic products to ensure consumer safety as well as increase compliance with international standards for food exports.
Upcoming Activities/Projects
As a follow-up to the recommendations of the first Global Forum of Food Safety Regulators and in line with the 123rd FAO Council’s instructions, FAO and WHO have sought the views of the countries of each region on the interest in convening other regional food safety conferences. At the request of the Codex Coordinating Committee for Asia, preparations are underway for a Regional Forum on Food Safety and Quality for Asia and the Pacific to be held in Kuala Lumpur Malaysia 24-27 May 2004. A second preparatory meeting with the permanent representatives of the Asian and Pacific region to FAO, WHO representatives, and food safety officials from the countries of the region is planned for 3 July 2003 to further discuss the themes of the conference and specific papers to be presented.
A proposal for Strengthening Capacity building in Codex, Food Regulation and International Food Standards Harmonisation for the Cook Islands, Fiji, Samoa, Tonga and Vanuatu is currently undergoing review.
The Government of Malaysia has requested FAO assistance to facilitate a Regional Training Programme on Strengthening National Capacities on Risk Assessment and Traceability in the Seafood Trade for the South West Pacific Region. The project is currently in the formulation stage.
Results of FAO Needs Assessment Questionnaire for Capacity Building in Food Safety-
Conducted 2002-2003
Summary:
FAO’s Food Quality and Standards Service developed, administered, and compiled questionnaires for capacity building in food safety from 99 pre-Codex workshop participants representing at least 48 countries in Africa, Asia, Latin America, the Southwest Pacific, and the Near East. Most of the respondents work in government and have access to the internet at work. Workshops and seminars were indicated as the most effective food safety training activities (91% of respondents) and Quality Assurance Systems/ HACCP/ GHP/ GAP was the area of food safety that respondents most often listed as requiring strengthening in their country. Specific subjects requiring strengthening within each prioritization area were also recorded. A list of respondents willing to participate in more detailed future surveys is also compiled.
Background:
Regional Codex Committee meetings are held every two years in each of the six Codex regions, including Africa, Asia, Europe, Latin America and the Caribbean, North America and the South-West Pacific, and the Near East. The FAO Food Quality and Standards Service and WHO, with additional extra-budgetary support, have initiated a series of workshops held immediately prior to these Codex meetings to: (i) provide participants with training in a food control subject of current interest and importance and (ii) encourage participants from developing countries to attend the Codex Regional meetings. These gatherings were considered a good forum in which to conduct a preliminary needs assessment of regional priorities in food quality and safety and establish a framework for the development of a comprehensive capacity building programme.
Methodology:
Questionnaires were distributed to all participants attending the regional pre-Codex workshops in Africa, Asia, Latin America and the Caribbean, the Near East region, and to the participants from the South West Pacific. The number of questionnaires distributed compared to the number returned was obtained in order to provide calculation of a response rate. Completed surveys and contact information for respondents willing to complete a more detailed survey are currently stored at FAO headquarters.
Results:
Response rates
A total of 99 participants from at least 48* countries responded. Response rate according to Codex regional grouping is listed below.
Region |
# of participants |
number of responses |
Response rate (%) |
Africa |
58** |
30 |
52 |
Asia |
60 |
32 |
53 |
Latin America |
40** |
19 |
48 |
Southwest Pacific |
4 |
2 |
50 |
Near East |
20 |
11 |
55 |
unknown country |
5 |
5 |
- |
Total |
187 |
99 |
52 |
* 5 respondents did not indicate their country of origin.
** Questionnaires may not have been handed out to every participant, so response rate figures may be erroneously low.
Characteristics of the respondents
Most (76%) of the participants were employed by the government, 9% were employed in research/ academics, 7% by private industry, and 5% by consumer organisations. Job titles ranged from Director General to Standards Officers. Government employees were primarily from the Ministries of Agriculture, Fisheries and Health. The majority of respondents (37%) spend 75% of their time at work on food safety issues, while an additional 25% of respondents work on food safety issues 100% of the time.
Food safety- related responsibilities of respondents
The main food safety- related responsibilities of the respondents were grouped into the following general categories with the number indicating the number of respondents:
34- Standards/ policy setting (draft food laws) – including MRLs, micro, chemical considerations
14- Codex national committee member
9- Member of national food safety governmental committee
8- Evaluation and strategic planning of food safety programme
30- Standards compliance/ monitor microbial and chemical contaminants/ food additives
11- Food inspection/ laboratory analysis and lab supervision
8- Issue product certificates- import/ export control
4- Supervise food processing facility
4- Implementation of HACCP/ Risk analysis
3- Food quality assurance
10- Foodborne disease surveillance/ research
12- Training on implementing/ setting food standards
6- Consumer advocacy
4- Preparation and dissemination of food safety information to the public
5- Teach food safety/ quality control at a University
Access and use of the internet
Most (86%) of the respondents have access to the internet at work. Sixty four percent use the internet once a month or more and only 5% never use the internet to find needed food safety information. The FAO web site was accessed by 79% of the respondents, the WHO site by 70%, National Government (FDA/USDA- 11, EU-3, ANZFA/ MAFF-3, Singapore-2) sites by 31%, University sites by 28%, and the Codex site (written in as “other” websites used) by 10% of the respondents.
Most effective food safety training activities
Nearly half (44%) of the respondents attend 1-2 food safety training workshops/seminars each year, with 36% attending 3-4 per year, and 11% normally attend no workshops in a year. Respondents indicated which of the following training activities they felt were most effective:
Workshops/ seminars 91%
On the job training/ direct technical support 59
Training manuals/ text books 53
Case studies/ hands on exercises 52
Study tours 40
Internet resources 39
CD-ROM 16
Priorities
From a list of ten areas, respondents were asked to prioritize the top three food safety areas which required strengthening in their country. The table below shows the priority listings.
Prioritization
(% of respondents)
Area of Food Safety Most Needed to be Strengthened in Country |
Top priority |
Second |
Third |
Quality Assurance Systems/ HACCP/ GHP/ GAP |
22 |
15 |
14 |
Risk Analysis |
13 |
22 |
7 |
Food Control Administration and Management |
12 |
12 |
13 |
Import/Export Control- Certification |
13 |
8 |
10 |
Regulatory Framework/ Standards |
12 |
12 |
7 |
Food Inspection/ Auditing |
4 |
1 |
11 |
National Codex Activities |
8 |
7 |
15 |
Laboratory Training (GLP, Accreditation, Methods) |
5 |
14 |
11 |
Laboratory Equipment |
8 |
7 |
10 |
International Trade Standards |
3 |
4 |
2 |
Other |
1 |
1 | |
Specific subjects requiring strengthening:
Complete results of this question including country of request have been compiled. A general summary of requests from each priority area is listed below.
Quality Assurance Systems/ HACCP/ GHP/ GAP
Training all stake holders in the general principles
Implementation in all industries, including small businesses
ISO 9000 and 14000 compliance
Risk Analysis
Training in the general framework, risk assessment, and risk management
Standardization of GMO risk analysis methods
Case study examples
Food Control Administration and Management
Creation of a single control agency, studying the benefits of drawbacks of different systems
Harmonization, implementing, and enforcing food laws
Import/ Export Control- Certification
Certification
Use of proper equipment
Would like a database of regional import requirements
Regulatory Framework/ Standards
Harmonization with international standards
Developing, adopting, and updating standards
Food Inspection/ Auditing
Training and equipment for local inspectors for food handling operations
Standardizing and harmonizing inspection and auditing procedures
National Codex Activities
Establishing a national committee
Training on technical working groups/ subcommittees
Laboratory Training (GLP, Accreditation, Methods)
Accreditation, validation of methods
Hands on training of most up-to-date methods
Laboratory Equipment
Procurement and maintenance of equipment
Current chemical, microbiological analysis equipment
International Trade Standards
Access to international and national standards
ISO 9000 compliance
Others listed:
Consumer issues and information dissemination on labelling issues to illiterate consumers
Respondents willing to participate in a more detailed survey
88 respondents provided their contact information to participate in a more detailed survey. Some respondents also listed additional personnel in their country who would be willing to participate.
Discussion and Conclusions:
This questionnaire provides valuable feedback from those directly involved in Food Safety issues in approximately 50 countries around the world, particularly from developing countries. The mandate of FAO is to work with governments to improve their level of food safety, so it is beneficial that most of the respondents (75%) work with their national government, but FAO also should consider the needs of private industry and consumers in their programs, so the views of the other respondents is also valuable.
Because the surveys were distributed at food safety workshops held prior to a standards setting committee meeting, it is not surprising that 34 of the 99 respondents indicated that standard and policy setting was one of their main food safety-related responsibilities. Also, many respondents are involved in their national Codex committee and/or another governmental food safety committee. Nearly one-third of the respondents also indicated their responsibilities in standards compliance and monitoring of contaminants. Another important area of responsibility involves training and information dissemination.
Although most respondents have access to the internet at work and 64% use it at least once a month to find food safety information, only 39% of respondents felt that internet resources were effective training activities. Most respondents use the FAO and WHO websites. The internet is likely seen as a source of information, but for actual training, respondents preferred human contact. Most of the participants at these workshops (91%) preferred workshops/ seminars, while approximately half the participants find on-the-job training, training manuals, and case studies/ hands on exercises effective for training. Study tours and internet resources were nearly equal at 40%, with only 16% finding CD-ROMs effective in training.
Many respondents felt that quality assurance systems/ HACCP/ GHPs/ GAPs most needed to be strengthened in their country. Risk analysis was also identified as an important priority, but more often as the secondary priority for a country. Respondents may have been more aware of the need for strengthening risk analysis as most of the questionnaires were distributed at risk analysis workshops. Food control administration and management was also seen as important, although only 11 of the questionnaire respondents were attending a food control workshop while completing the survey. All areas mentioned in the questionnaire were seen as important by some respondents.