The Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) in Pakistan along with local and international partners organized a national dialogue on food safety on 7 June 2024 in Islamabad.

Their Excellencies the Ambassadors to Pakistan of Denmark and Malaysia graced the occasion, as well as representatives of the Federal and Provincial Food Safety Authorities, relevant Federal Ministries, Animal Husbandry Commissioner and Chief Veterinary Officer of Pakistan, civil society, media, the Federation of Pakistan Chambers of Commerce and Industry, Islamabad Chambers of Commerce and Industry, industry stakeholders, the Pakistan Halal Authority, the Pakistan National Accreditation Council and development partners including the World Food Programme (WFP), the International Fund for Agricultural Development (IFAD), the Global Alliance for Improved Nutrition (GAIN) and the United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF).  

Dr Aamer Irshad, Assistant to the FAO Representative in Pakistan highlighted the importance of strengthening and harmonizing the food control system in the country. He also mentioned FAO support to the country regarding assessment of Pakistan’s food control system and implementation of the three Codex standards to tackle foodborne antimicrobial resistance (AMR) in the country.

Dr Riasat Wasee Ullah, National Project Coordinator for the Action to support implementation of Codex AMR Texts (ACT) Project in Pakistan highlighted the work of Codex to help tackle foodborne AMR and implementation of the Codex AMR texts under the ACT project in Pakistan. “The guidelines and standards set by Codex are essential in shaping our national policies and practices,” Dr Riasat explained. “They offer a scientifically grounded approach to managing antimicrobial use in food production, which is crucial for ensuring food safety and public health. The implementation process is multifaceted and requires a comprehensive strategy that encompasses education, regulation, and surveillance.” Dr Riasat and his team have been conducting extensive outreach to educate farmers, veterinarians, and food producers about the dangers of AMR and the importance of adhering to Codex standards. Workshops, training sessions, and awareness campaigns form the backbone of these efforts, fostering a culture of responsible antimicrobial use.

During the panel discussion with the experts on “Food Safety Challenges in Pakistan: Readiness to Tackle the Unexpected”, the experts highlighted that Pakistan faces numerous food safety challenges, from diverse agricultural practices to limited regulatory enforcement. The country's readiness to tackle these unexpected issues hinges on strengthening its food safety infrastructure, improving surveillance systems, and fostering collaboration among stakeholders. Efforts are underway to enhance capacity for swift response to foodborne threats including AMR, ensuring public health protection and aligning with international standards. Through education, robust policies, and strategic interventions, Pakistan is building resilience to effectively manage and mitigate unforeseen food safety risks.

The project also organized two activities in Rawalpindi to highlight the need for responsible and prudent use of antimicrobials in dairy production. The seminars focused on the good hygiene practices in dairy farming that can help reduce infection and thus reduce the need for antimicrobials.

Other World Food Safety Day events in Pakistan included a seminar titled "Food Wastage into Food Security," which was organized by the Punjab Food Safety Authority in Lahore, an extensive campaign to promote food safety awareness organized by the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Food Safety and Halaal Food Authority and an event that was organized by the Balochistan Food Authority in collaboration with Nutrition International. There was also a World Food Safety Day awareness seminar and walk arranged by the University of Agriculture (UAF), Faisalabad and University of Veterinary and Animal Sciences (UVAS), Lahore.

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World Food Safety Day events this year

Photo © FAO/ Dr Riasat Wasee Ullah