This network attempts to bring together food safety stakeholders in Asia Pacific starting with testing laboratories, regulators and researchers. It started in 2016/17 with analytical laboratories addressing the challenges of chemical and microbial hazards that affect public health and trade. Food safety and consumer protection is therefore a major priority in the region. Many Asian Pacific countries compete at international food markets. The region also contributes to a larger share of the growing aquaculture industry which supplies over 50% of the global animal protein requirementRead More
These exporting countries must not only ensure the safety and quality of their products but also should meet the food safety requirements for local benefits. Further, other countries in the region are net food importers and require effective verification mechanisms to ensure the quality and safety of food being imported and consumed by their citizens. Functional food safety laboratories that meet international standards are essential to fulfil the above international trade requirements. While some Asia Pacific countries have successful and strong national residue monitoring programs backed up by well-established laboratory facilities, many require continued support to improve their laboratory facilities and monitoring/surveillance activities. Governments have made commitment to develop or improve their food control system and look to partner with others at bilateral, multilateral and international levels. In order to support the Member States with a lesser developed food safety monitoring and surveillance programs and to promote collaboration and cooperation among the food safety laboratories in the Asian Pacific region, establishments such as the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) in collaboration with Food and Agricultural Organization of the United Nations have been supporting a number of national, regional and interregional food safety capacity building as well as research projects that have and will make significant contributions to improvement of the food safety control systems. Collaboration is critical and this is why the food safety network was initiated. Interested parties are welcome to join and share experiences, information and solution to common food safety problems.
