Second mission for FAO/WHO joint in-depth assessment for food safety in the Islamic republic of Iran

The introductory workshop of the “second mission for FAO/WHO joint in-depth assessment for food safety in the Islamic republic of Iran” took place in Tehran (3-8 December2016) hosted by the Iranian Drug and Food Administration of the Ministry of Health.

The Iranian authorities involved in food control have committed to a process of self-evaluation, supported technically by FAO and WHO, and aiming at analyzing their performance, identifying strengths and weaknesses and improve future planning with a strategic analysis of the priorities to address.

The objective of a food control system is to protect consumers’ health and economic interests, though a safe and quality food supply.
Besides benefitting from an in depth analysis of the system in Iran, the competent authorities involved in food control are working hard alongside during this highly participating process, which should facilitate interinstitutional communication and coordination at later stages.

According to FAO this should increase efficiency in public action, and reduce the burden of duplications that may happen when controlling food producing businesses.
FAO and WHO are also closely collaborating for bringing technical expertise to support this self-evaluation and provide a fresh external and neutral feedback during the discussions. It is also an opportunity to explain important principles for food control, agreed at international level by the Codex Alimentarius Commission, of which The Islamic Republic of Iran is an active member, and discuss how these could be embedded in the policy and legal framework for food control, as well as in the day to day operations of competent authorities.

The statement of the FAO Representative to Iran, Mr. Serge Nakouzi to the opening ceremony of the workshop reads as:

Ladies and Gentlemen,

Ensuring food safety and security for all is at the heart of FAO’s mandate and its programmes and activities. Raising levels of nutrition, securing improvements in the efficiency of the production and distribution of all food and agricultural products, and improving the standards of living and conditions of rural populations are the fundamental pillars of FAO’s constitution.

Also, prevention and reduction of food and feed contamination is one of the areas where the mission and mandate of FAO and WHO meet; hence the longstanding cooperation between the two organisations to assist member countries in furthering robust policies and practices for food safety. FAO and WHO have a strong interest in promoting national food control systems that are based upon scientific principles and guidelines, and which address all sectors of the food chain.

This is particularly important in countries like Iran where the production, handling, storage, and distribution of food and feedstuff involve various sectors and take place over wide areas and in diverse climates. Particularly, the rapidly expanding food processing industry and public and private alimentary facilities call for extra focus on food safety in Iran.

This mission, following the preceding one, seeks to provide technical advice on strategies to strengthen food control systems to protect public health, prevent fraud and deception, avoid food adulteration and facilitate trade.
The guidelines to be presented will enable authorities to choose the most suitable options for their food control systems in terms of legislation, infrastructure and enforcement mechanisms.

The target users of these Guidelines are national authorities responsible for food safety and quality in the interest of public health and consumer protection. 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 policies and practices in this area.
It is with pride and pleasure to note that the Codex Alimentarius, a joint product of WHO and FAO, has proven to be a successful tool in achieving international harmonization in food quality and safety requirements. It has formulated international standards for a wide range of food products and specific requirements covering pesticide residues, food additives, veterinary drug residues, hygiene, food contaminants, labelling etc. The Codex recommendations are used by governments to determine and refine policies and programmes under their national food control system.

I am also pleased to stress that FAO and WHO provide the frame for excellent cooperation and dialogue at the country, regional and global levels for building effective food safety systems, where that multi-sectoral collaboration at all levels is of prime importance.
I believe that, in the Islamic Republic of Iran, joint programmes between the concerned ministries and with Iran Food and Drug Administration (IFDA), WHO and FAO will contribute to promoting quality nutrition, healthy diets, and food safety through the multidisciplinary inter-sectoral approach taken by these partners.

I wish you all the successes in the deliberations ahead.

Thank you.