In Nepal, World Food Safety Day activities were organized as part of the Action to support implementation of Codex AMR Texts (ACT) project.

As part of the project’s aims to increase awareness about the dangers of antimicrobial resistance (AMR) the World Food Safety Day activities included raising the awareness of the general public and also of a number of college students. These activities supported the national celebrations led by the Department of Food Technology and Quality Control (DFTQC) throughout the week of 1–6 June.

In a special episode of the Kamana Talks Online Channel, DFTQC Director Dr Matina Joshi Vaidya talked about food safety generally and also about the importance of the ACT project in reducing the threat of AMR. In addition, a team of government officials from the Department of Livestock Services (DLS), DFTQC, and ACT Project staff visited the Himalayan College of Agricultural Sciences and Technology (HICAST) and the Golden Gate International College where over 100 students learnt about AMR and the One Health approach to food safety. The national coordinator of the ACT project, Dr Sakar Shivakoti briefed the students about the ACT project and about Codex, and the importance of adopting and implementating Codex AMR Texts to tackle foodborne AMR. Other experts lectured the students on national and global AMR perspectives and other AMR-relevant issues. Additionally, the Nepal Chapter of the World Food Forum (WFF) joined the ACT project in the college awareness campaigns to target the Youth of the Nation on ensuring the food safety. “Youth are not the future but are the present assets of the nation” said one of the representations from WFF.

“This session provided us with the opportunity to learn about AMR: its impact on health and the importance of responsible and prudent use of antimicrobial agents. More awareness workshops need to be organized regarding food safety and AMR targeting youth” Sunita Ojha, a bachelor student of veterinary science and animal husbandry.

In addition to a DFTQC-organized and ACT project-supported interactive “Stakeholders’ interaction programme on food safety emergency preparedness”, which was also supported by the Codex Trust Fund project in Nepal through WHO, authorities also organized a World Food Safety Day walkathon. The walkathon involved over 400 participants and was followed by a main event where key government officials and relevant stakeholders delivered their messages of commitment to food safety.

Watch the Kamana Talks Online Channel episode
View Facebook posts about the celebrations
Watch the message from Honorable Minister, Ministry of Agriculture and Livestock Development, Jwala Kumari Sah

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The ACT project