Better market access through food safety & quality standards

16-Jan-2015

ISLAMABAD: National Productivity Organization (NPO), Ministry of Industries & Production in collaboration with APO (Asian Productivity Organization) is organising an International programme on Food Safety & Quality (FSQ) Standards for Market Access.
Participants from 18 different countries are attending this International programme. The objective of this workshop is to enhance participants understanding of the structures and effectiveness of public and private food safety and quality (FSQ) standards prevailing in world food and agricultural markets; To familiarize participants with the issues and challenges faced by small- and medium-sized farms and enterprises in the agricultural and food industry in meeting the requirements for certification under private food standards and possible solutions

CEO-NPO Sher Ayub Khan was the chief guest of the inauguration session. The other panel speakers included expert Richard Merx from Netherland & Howie Ng from Hong Kong. APO director Dr Saeed was also present at the occasion and Ms Rabia Jamil & Usman Adil being the main coordinator of the program. CEO-NPO Sher Ayub Khan while speaking to the audience said that globalization of food trade makes food chains longer and more complex and increases the risk of food safety incidents. Adding he said that in response, Governments are strengthening food control systems, while food industry has put in place. FSQ standards, both public and private, are fundamentally about establishing control, conformance, and compliance in the production, processing, and distribution of food. APO director Dr. Saeed said that Private food standards are becoming basic requirements in the context of global trade in food and agricultural products. International private food standards such as IFS and FSSC 22000 are aimed at ensure safety. Some private food standards focus on the quality aspects of food and agricultural products in terms of production and process methods.

FSQ are global concerns for the food industry as they are important for public health and impact international trade. Consumers are increasingly concerned about the quality and safety of the food they buy. They are taking unprecedented interest in the way food is produced, processed, and marketed and demand greater quality and safety assurances & agribusiness and food companies with reliable information.

Press Releases:
DAILY TIMES
THE NATION
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PAKISTAN OBSERVER

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