Improving the capacity of food safety management agencies in Viet Nam to apply a risk-based approach and supporting a risk-based food safety management system are priorities of the SAFEGRO project, which aims to contribute to sustainable health for the Vietnamese people.
From October 30, 2023 to November 5, 2023, senior officials from three interdisciplinary ministries managing food safety in Vietnam (Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development, Ministry of Industry and Trade, and Ministry of Health) visited China to study and exchange experiences with Chinese agencies in charge of food safety management and risk assessment as well as participate in an international conference exchange, within the framework of the SAFEGRO project funded by Canada.
For many years, Canada helped China develop their national food safety law aligned with international standards and also preparation for a unified food safety management system under one central authority.
SAFEGRO arranged for the delegation to have the opportunity to learn and gain more knowledge about China’s national risk assessment framework system, through a visit to the National Center for Food Safety Risk Assessment [CFSA]; the Institute of Quality Standard and Testing Technology for Agricultural Products of the Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences [IQSTAP-CAAS], and the Chinese Academy of Inspection and Quarantine [CAIQ].
In addition, the delegation also attended the International Conference on Food safety and Quality held in Beijing, China (November 2 – 3, 2023), listening, presenting and participating in discussions on developing a big data system for food management, antibiotic resistance, traceability, food-borne disease surveillance results, infectious disease prevention and control strategies, risk communication initiatives, food alternatives, and the growing trend for artificial foods. Two members of the Vietnamese delegation gave presentations during the session on Foodborne Disease Prevention/Control Strategies at this international Conference.
SAFEGRO hopes that the trip helps the delegation understand the importance of engaging the private sector and voluntary third-party assurance program by assigning food safety responsibility and liability to the food business operators; managing food safety based on risk rather than end-product testing; and the importance of establishing a national food safety risk assessment capacity/center as a national resource.
“We also hope the delegation understand the important role of food safety risk assessment capacity building, training and development of risk assessment methodologies aligned with international standards for trade negotiations and public health”, said Mr. Rolf.
This week, the SAFEGRO project continues to support related activities in Vietnam, such as the National Workshop on Food Safety Risk Management (Nov 7), the Food Safety Risk Communication Workshop (Nov 2), and a series of meetings and discussions with relevant ministries and universities providing food safety training.
SAFEGRO – Empowering Vietnamese population to have better access to safe and affordable food, with an emphasis on supporting poor farmers and women.