As part of Mongolia’s World Food Safety Day activities, the National Forum on Standards and Food Safety was organized by the National Reference Laboratory for Food Safety (NRLFS) in Ulaanbaatar on 4 June 2024. The event was supported by the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) in Mongolia (including the FAO-implemented Action to support implementation of Codex AMR Texts (ACT) project) and the World Health Organization (WHO) country office.

The national forum opening remarks were made by Dr Vinod Ahuja the FAO Representative in Mongolia, who highlighted the importance of strengthening and harmonizing the food control system in the country. He also mentioned FAO support to the government regarding the assessment of Mongolia’s food control system and implementation of the Codex standards to tackle foodborne antimicrobial resistance (AMR) in the country.

Over 170 people participated in the forum, including representatives of the Secretariat of the Parliament of Mongolia, the Office of the President, the Ministry of Food,  Agriculture and Light Industry, the Ministry of Health, and relevant government agencies, FAO and WHO in Mongolia, food-related universities, laboratories, research institutions and food business operators.

At the event the ACT National Project Coordinator, Dr Enkhtur Byakharjav, delivered a presentation and answered participants' questions. Byakharjav highlighted the project’s work to help tackle foodborne AMR and implement the Codex AMR texts in Mongolia. “The guidelines and standards set by Codex are essential in shaping our national food policies, legislations and practices,” Dr Byakharjav explained.

During a panel discussion with experts on “Food Safety and Further Perspective in Mongolia: Preparedness to Tackle the Unexpected”, the ACT project coordinator highlighted that Mongolia faces numerous food safety challenges, from food and agricultural practices to limited regulatory enforcement. Therefore, it was emphasized that it is necessary to recognize and use Codex standards in the food sector, and to improve awareness of foodborne AMR.

From the participants in this forum, recommendations were made to relevant ministries, agencies, and stakeholders in the food chain in areas such as improving food standards, implementing them, and improving the capabilities of laboratories to ensure food safety.

Overall, the forum provided a platform for food-related ministries, agencies and participants to discuss the importance of preparedness and collaboration in ensuring food safety, even in the face of unexpected events.

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World Food Safety Day events this year