WORLD TRADE  
ORGANIZATION  G/SPS/GEN/525 
25 October 2004 
 (04-4525) 
Committee on Sanitary a nd Phytosanitary Measures Original:   English 
  
CAPACITY BUILDING FOR FOOD STANDARDS AND REGULATIONS 
 
Submission by Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) and 
 
the World Health Organization (WHO)  
  
I. INTRODUCTION 
1. This paper describes FAO/WHO capacity buildi ng activities on food safety and quality issues, 
including food standards and regulations, which ha ve been implemented since September 2002 and 
are of interest to members of the WTO Sanitary  and Phytosanitary Measures (SPS) Committee.   
II. NEED FOR CAPACITY BUILDING  
2. As is well known, a new interna tional food and agriculture trade environment has emerged as 
a result of the Uruguay round of Multilateral Trade Negotiations and subseque nt agreements on the 
application of SPS measures and on Technical Barriers to Trade (TBT).  
3. The evolution of the conditions for internati onal trade in relation to food and agriculture 
affects numerous cross-cutting sectors in every coun try, including human, animal and plant health, 
environmental welfare and economic development.  The regulatory systems and infrastructure needed 
to conform to the new international trading environm ent are weak in many developing countries.  This 
puts these countries at a competitive disadvantage in the international trade arena and constitutes a 
major limitation to the effective participation of these countries in the discussions and decisions taken 
at the level of international standardization bodies. 
4. Both the SPS Agreement (Article 9) and the TBT Agreement (Article 12) make specific 
reference to increasing the capacity of developi ng countries and remaining cognisant of the unique 
needs of developing country members.  Specifically Article 12.3 of the TBT states "Members shall, in the preparation and application of technical re gulations, standards and conformity assessment 
procedures, take account of the special development,  financial and trade needs of developing country 
Members, with a view to ensuring that such technical regulations, standards and conformity 
assessment procedures do not create unnecessary obstacles to exports from developing country 
Members".  Reinforcing these views, the Executive Heads of FAO, WHO, WTO, WB and the World 
Organization for Animal Health (OIE), in a join t statement issued at the occasion of the WTO 
Ministerial Meeting held in Doha in November  2001, expressed their commitment to strengthening 
the capacity of developing countries to meet the requirements of the SPS Agreement. 
5. In keeping with these mandates, FAO and WHO engage in diverse capacity building activities 
designed to assist developing countries to improve  their food safety and plant and animal health 
systems.  Together with international organizati ons, national governments, international and regional 
financial institutions and NGOs, various capacity building and technical assistance initiatives have 
been undertaken.  This often involves a review and an alysis of the institutional set up for food control: 
evaluating its effectiveness, identifying main weaknesses, and formulating recommendations and 
proposals for the establishment of technically soun d food control systems which are harmonized with 
current international standards.  Specific activ ities falling within the realm of capacity building 
include training of food control officials and techni cal staff (food control managers, food inspectors, G/SPS/GEN/525 
Page 2  
 
 food analysts) in the form of seminars, workshops  and study tours to broaden in-country skills and 
increase the ability of local governments to im plement comprehensive food control systems, 
enhancement of food control laboratory capabilities, preparation of training manuals and guidelines, 
support in establishing and strengthening Na tional Codex Committees, policy advice and 
establishment of regulatory frameworks.  
III. RECENT AND ONGOING CAPACITY BUILDING ACTIVITIES AT GLOBAL 
LEVEL 
International Events 
6. As a follow-up to the successful first Global Forum of Food Safety Regulators and with the 
support and approval of the FAO and WHO member countries, the FAO Food Quality and Standards 
Service (FAO/ESNS) and WHO held the Second Global Forum of Food Safety Regulators (GF-2)
 in 
Bangkok, Thailand from 12-14 October 2004, with the main theme of: "Building Effective Food Safety Systems".  The forum focused on the two fo llowing sub-themes:  (i) Strengthening official 
food control services;  and (ii) Epidemio-surveilla nce of foodborne diseases and food safety rapid 
alert systems.  A number of related side events were  also held before, during, and after the Forum, the 
reports of which are available from the forum webs ite.  More information on the First and Second 
Global Fora, including the final report when available, can be found at: www.foodsafetyforum.org/index_en.htm
 
7. FAO/ESNS and the Institute de Recherche pour le Développement  (IRD) facilitated a 
Conference on Food Safety Under Extreme Conditions  (Jaen, Spain, 6-8 September 2004) to address 
the issues of food-borne pathogens, anti-nutritional a nd toxic factors in fermented foods produced in 
small-scale producing units .  This conference promoted the sharing of information and viewpoints 
between scientists and experts from Africa, Europe  and the Mediterranean countries on progress in 
scientific and regulatory knowledge of small-scale units.  More information is available from: 
www.fao.org/es/E SN/food/meetings_f ermented_en.stm  
8. FAO/ESNS co-sponsored the XI Internationa l symposium on mycotoxins and phycotoxins  of 
the International Union of Pure and Applied Chemistry (IUPAC) from 17 to 21 May 2004, in 
Bethesda, Maryland, United States.  The sympos ium assessed progress or advances made since the 
previous symposium in 2000 in relation to overa ll goals of the series and the evolving global 
perspective of food safety.  Topics addressed includ ed: advances in methodology; the value of risk 
assessment and its regulatory use;  laboratory quality assurance and quality control, accreditation and 
method validation, particularly in  developing countries.  Advances in genomics for detection and 
evaluating the impact of mycotoxins and phycotoxins  on human and animal health, as well as control 
strategies were also discussed.  More inform ation on the symposium is available from:  
www.aoac.org/meetings1/iupac/main.htm   
9. FAO/ESNS and WHO, in collaboration with the In ternational Life Scie nces Institute (ILSI) 
facilitated a workshop on 5 March 2004, on the Detection of Protein and/or DNA in Foods Derived 
from Modern Biotechnology .  The workshop was held in the same  venue and immediately prior to the 
25th Session of the Codex Committee on Methods of Analysis and Sampling (CCMAS) and was 
attended by 23 participants from 9 countries.  The purpose of this workshop was to give an 
introduction to the tools, information and experiences available to test for protein/DNA from foods derived from modern biotechnology to the CCMAS dele gates and other interested parties.  Emphasis 
was placed on similarities and differences among ch emical analytical methods available, with 
particular attention to how biological factors can affect measurement results.  Current efforts in 
methods development, standardiza tion and validation, including those within ISO, were described.  
The complete workshop programme can be accessed from: www.fao.org/es/esn/food/capacity_workshops2004_en.stm
    G/SPS/GEN/525 
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 10. FAO/ESNS held a Ministerial Round Table on 3 December 2003, on the occasion of the 32nd 
Session of the FAO Conference, on the Dimension of Food Safety in Food Security .  The background 
document and final report for this round table discussion can be accessed from: 
www.fao.org/es/ESN/food/meetings_mrt_en.stm  
11. FAO/ESNS and the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) jointly facilitated a 
workshop on the subject of:  "Strengthening Capacities for Implemen ting Codex Standards, 
Guidelines and the Recommended International C odes of Practice for Control of the Use of 
Veterinary Drugs " from 20-24 October 2003, in Vienna, Austria.  Technical training courses for 
scientists/ technicians/ laboratory managers to comp lement these workshops have also been held in 
various regions of the world.  More informati on on this workshop and training courses can be found 
at:  www.iaea.org/programmes/nafa/d3/index.html   
12. FAO is involved in a number of events relating to Good Agricultural Practices  and food 
safety.  These include:  a Food-Feed Safety Confer ence held jointly with the International Feed 
Industry Federation (IFIF) in Rome, from 29-31 Octobe r 2004;  an International Symposium on Dairy 
Hygiene and Safety, held jointly with the Intern ational Dairy Federation (IDF), in South Africa, 2-
5 March 2004;  and an International Workshop on Good Practices for the Meat and Livestock Sector 
held in Windhoek, Namibia from 6-8 April 2004.  A workshop related to Echinococcosis was held in 
Morocco on 19 September 2003, and another on F ascioliosis, diagnostics and control in Egypt on 
12 January 2004.  A presentation on Cysticercosis:  FAO perspectives - FAO support possibilities, was 
presented at the 19th International Conference of th e World Association of Veterinary Parasitology 
(WAAVP), in the United States on 12 August 2003. 
13. FAO/ESNS and WHO jointly facilitated an inte rnational seminar on Acrylamide in Food:  
Current State of Affairs  in Arusha, Tanzania on 16 March 2003, held immediately prior to the 35th 
Session of the Codex Committee on Food Additives and Contaminants.  This seminar provided for the 
exchange of views, an update on ongoing researc h, and identification of gaps in the area of 
acrylamide in foods.  Presentations were given by  representatives of FAO/WHO, the US, the Joint 
Institute for Food safety and Applied Nutrition (JIF SAN), the EU, Australia, Japan, and Norway and 
are available for viewing from FAO's website at: www.fao.org/es/ESN/jecfa/acrylamide_en.stm    
Global Projects 
14. FAO/ESNS- implemented a global project for the Enhancement of Coffee Quality through the 
Prevention of Mould Formation , which  started in December 2000 and is due to end in June 2005.  
This project is being carried out in Brazil, Colombia, Ivory Coast, India, Indonesia, Kenya, and 
Uganda, with ongoing collaboration from the Centre  de Coopération Internationale en Recherche 
Agronomique pour le Développement  (CIRAD) and the Institute for Sc ientific Information on Coffee 
(ISIC), and earlier collaboration with the University  of Surrey, UK.  The project is funded by the 
Common Fund for Commodities and the Dutch Govern ment.  An additionally funded component for 
training and dissemination of best practice in  ochratoxin A (OTA) control in Ecuador was 
incorporated, and completed in 2002.   
15. The project approach emphasizes capacity buildin g in coffee-producing countries, with the 
aim of formulating codes of practice for the coff ee industry.  Key initial activities under the project 
involve defining mould formation mechanisms, iden tifying critical control points, evaluating optimal 
drying conditions, and developing the necessary tool s (e.g. Good Agricultural Practices (G AP), Good 
Manufacturing Practices (GMP) and Hazard Analysis and Critical Control Point (HACCP)) to control 
and monitor both mould formation and OTA production.  Specifically, the project builds capacity at 
the national level within the industry and responsib le government agencies in the application of 
internationally-agreed principles of food hygi ene and a HACCP-based approach to food safety 
throughout the coffee production and processing chain.  The project also builds the analytical capacity G/SPS/GEN/525 
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 and capability required to support national pr ogrammes for prevention and control of OTA 
contamination of coffee.   
16. FAO/ESNS is involved in a number of capacity building and technical assistance activities to 
develop food safety policies and to build local capacities for fresh fruits and vegetables (FFV) in 
developing countries and has recently implemented the global project PFL/857 " Global Inventory, 
Reference Materials and Food Safety Training Prog ramme for Improving the Safety and Quality of 
Fresh Fruits and Vegetables ", targeting Latin American and Cari bbean countries.  The project focuses 
on the application of good practices (GAP, GMP,  and Good Hygiene Practice (GHP)) to prevent 
hazards at appropriate points in the fresh fruits  and vegetable chain (pr oduction and post-harvest 
stages-food chain approach  "from farm to table ").  Under the project, appr oximately 150 national staff 
professionals have been trained as multipliers thr ough sub-regional workshops "to train the trainers" 
carried out in: Santiago, Chile (March 2003);  An tigua, Guatemala (July 2003);  Cochabamba, Bolivia 
(March 2004);  and in Bridgetown, Barbados (May 2004).  
17. A training package has been produced by F AO/ESNS to support the national training courses 
and is available in English, French and Spanish (CD-Rom and hardcopies), and is freely available on 
the FAO web site.  The training package/manual w as validated through the sub-regional workshops 
and contains: power-point presen tations, gallery of pictures, complete documents, recommended 
readings, etc. regarding safety and quality issues for FFV.  In January 2004, the Fresh Fruits and 
Vegetables Safety and Quality Database was launche d as part of the FAO/ESNS strategy to improve 
sharing information amongst the food chain actors.  
18. Nineteen countries in Latin America have received FAO financial support to implement 
National Action Plans, involving 60 national institu tions (public and private sector).  Through these 
National Plans, approximately 3,300 food chain act ors have been trained by the multipliers through 
national courses, a total of 1,000 CD-ROM manuals  have been distributed to support the national 
trainers courses, local training materials have b een produced and, in some countries, initiatives have 
led to the creation of national groups (national commissions) to address quality and safety matters in 
the FFV sector.  More information is available from:   
www.fao.org/es/ESN/food/foodandfood_fruits_en.stm  
Global Initiatives 
19. FAO, WHO, OIE, WTO, and the World Bank established a Standards and Trade 
Development Facility  (STDF) in 2003, to coordinate th e capacity building efforts of these 
organizations in the areas of food safety, plant, a nd animal health and to provide a funding mechanism 
for countries and stakeholders to improve in m eeting WTO SPS standards.  The STDF has already 
and will continue to facilitate or support information exchange, devel opment of databases, tool kits, 
and learning materials on trade-related SPS issues.  It facilitates consultations to better coordinate 
inter-agency capacity building projects and funding of projects in capacity building in individual 
countries or through regional initiatives, including ac tivities involving both public and private sectors.  
The specific projects supported with funding by the Facility are identified by partner institutions in 
consultation with the developing countries concerned.  An FAO (ESNS) /WHO project to assist the 
low income countries in Developing Food Standard s within a Risk Analysis Framework pilot 
application in Asia and the Pacific was approved fo r funding from this Facility in 2004, and will be 
implemented in late 2004.  Interested countries a nd stakeholders are encouraged to propose projects 
and submit them to the STDF for consideration.  More information on the STDF is available from:  
www.standardsfacility.org  
20. In February 2003, FAO and WHO launched a Project and Trust Fund for Enhanced 
Participation in Codex  to increase the participation of developing countries and countries in transition 
in the vital work of the Codex Alimentarius Commission.  The fund provides financial support to  G/SPS/GEN/525 
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 increase their ability to participate in the establishment of global food safety and quality standards, as 
well as improve their capacity to implement those sta ndards in their own countries.  Thanks to the 
generosity of several donors, the minimum threshol d of US$500,000 was reached at the beginning of 
March 2004, allowing the Fund to become fully opera tional.  By the end of 2004, about 90 countries 
will have benefited from the Fund.  More informat ion and application forms for 2005 are available 
from www.who.int/foodsafety/codex/trustfund/en/  in Arabic, Chinese, English, French, Russian and 
Spanish. 
21. In early 2004, FAO and the OIE launched a jo int initiative entitled a "Global Framework for 
the progressive control of Transboundary Animal Diseases " (GF-TADs).  Some of the diseases 
addressed in GF-TADs are of public health inter est and the FAO-OIE activities will have a global 
objective of re-enforcing Veterinary Services.  
22. In response to resolutions of the World Hea lth Assembly calling for enhanced communication 
between WHO and its member states on matters of food safety, WHO, in collaboration with FAO, is 
now establishing an official International Food Safety Authorities Network  (INFOSAN) to be used for 
targeted and rapid distribution of various information for the protection of public health.  One part of 
INFOSAN will be dedicated to food safety emer gency situations (INFOSAN EMERGENCY) where 
imminent risk of serious injury or death is present.   
23. WHO also manages a global network of laborator ies and individuals involved in surveillance, 
isolation, identification and antimicrobial resistance testing of Salmonella  (Global Salm-Surv ).  The 
network, which links around 800 members from nearly 500 institutions in 138 countries, is currently 
being extended to include other major foodborne pathogens, e.g. Campylobacter .  The Global 
Environment Monitoring System/Food Contamination Monitoring and Assessment Programme 
(GEMS/Food ) has now been introduced in 13 francophone  countries, mainly from Africa, through the 
Third International Total Diet Study Workshop a nd Training Course held in May 2004.  The 
workshop presented the latest developments in meth ods and technology which continue to make total 
diet studies the most cost-effective exposure assessment tool available for assessing human exposure 
to chemicals in food.  
Global Tools Available  
24. Apart from the direct implementation of activities in the area of food quality and safety in 
developing countries, FAO and WHO elaborate guidance and technical materials to be used by other 
implementing agencies working in these areas.  This  ensures broader and more sustainable impact of 
the technical assistance provided in the tools.  Several tools are also under development.  Some of the 
tools developed on food quality and safety include: 
25. FAO, often in collaboration with WHO, convenes Expert Consultations/workshops   to 
provide guidance and advice to the Codex system and to national governments on specific issues such 
as:  Safety Assessment of Foods from Genetically Modified Animals: (www.fao.org/es/esn/food/risk_biotech_animal_en.stm
 );  
Non-human Antimicrobial Usage and Resistance:  
(www.fao.org/es/ESN/food/meetings_antimicrobial_en.stm  ); 
the use of a Good Agricultural Practice Approach: (www.fao.org/prods/GAP/gapindex_en.asp
 ):  and  
Pathogens of concern in powdered infant formula: (www.fao.org/es/ESN/food/risk_mra_riskassessment_entero_en.stm 
). 
Some of these Expert Consultation reports are av ailable electronically from the FAO website and 
printed copies of most are available in mu ltiple languages from the FAO publications page: 
www.fao.org/es/ESN/publications/publications_en.stm    G/SPS/GEN/525 
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 26. FAO/ESNS and WHO publish a series of guidelines on topics related to Microbiological Risk 
Assessments .  For example, the third publication in this  series, Hazard Characterization for Pathogens 
in Food and Water guidelines, (MRA Series No. 3) e ndeavours to provide a practical framework and a 
structured approach for the characterization of microbiological hazards.  It is aimed at assisting 
governmental and research scientists in identifying  the points to be addressed, the methodology for 
incorporating data from different sources, and the methodology of dose-response modeling.  These 
guidelines are available from:  www.fao.org/es/esn/food/risk_mra_hazard_en.stm
 
27. FAO/ESNS and WHO have jointly prepared and published (2003) Assuring Food Safety and 
Quality  - Guidelines for Strengthening Na tional Food Control Systems  to enable national 
authorities, particularly in developing countries,  to improve their food control systems.  This 
publication replaces the previous (1976) guidelin es.  The guidelines seek to provide advice on 
strategies to strengthen food control systems to protect public health, prevent fraud and deception, 
avoid food adulteration and facilitate trade.  In a ddition to national authorities, the guidelines will also 
be of assistance to a range of other stakeholde rs including consumer groups, industry and trade 
organizations, farmer groups and any other groups or associations that influence national policy in this 
area.  The guidelines are now available electronically in: 
English ( www.fao.org/es/ESN/food/control_FCS_en.stm ), 
Spanish ( ftp://ftp.fao.org/es/esn/food/guideFCS_es.pdf ) and will soon be available electronically in 
French and Arabic.  Printed copies can be ordered in English, French, Spanish, and Arabic from:  
www.fao.org/es/ESN/publications/pub_control_en.stm    
28. An example of a possible structure of a food law  has been developed by FAO/ESNS and 
WHO and is based on a number of food laws curre ntly in force in developed and developing 
countries.  Since different countries place responsibility for food control with different Ministries or agencies, the draft has been prepared  in a general way so that it can be adapted to local conditions.  It 
has been reviewed and endorsed by Joint FAO/WH O meetings of countries of the Africa and Asia 
regions and is available from FAO's website at:  ftp://ftp.fao.org/es/esn/food/foodlaw.pdf
 
29. Food Quality and Safety Systems - A FAO/ESN S Training Manual on Food Hygiene and the 
HACCP System is available electronically in:   English  ( http://www.fao.org/docre p/W8088E/W8088E00.htm
);  
French  ( ftp://ftp.fao.org/es/esn/food/HACCPManual_fr.pdf ); 
Spanish ( ftp://ftp.fao.org/es/esn/food/HACCPManual_es.pdf );  and  
Russian (http://www.fao.org/DOCREP/006/W8088R/W8088R00.HTM ) or as a printed publication in 
these four languages from:  http://www.fao.org/es/ESN/publications/pub_quality_en.stm   
30. FAO(ESNS)/IAEA Manual on the Application of the HACCP System in Mycotoxin 
Prevention and Control  is available electronically in: 
English ( ftp://ftp.fao.org/es/esn/food/mycotoxin_manual.pdf ); 
Spanish ( ftp://ftp.fao.org/es/esn/food/haccp_micotoxinas.pdf );  or as a printed publication (in En, Fr, 
Es) from:  http://www.fao.org/es/ESN/publications/pub_quality_en.stm .  The manual will soon be 
available electronically in French as well.   
31. Training manuals and guides on food safety in the street food sector  are also available in 
multiple languages in publication format from the FAO publications page: http://www.fao.org/es/ESN/publications/publications_en.stm
.   
A Training of Street Food Vendors didactic guide, materials designed for training courses are 
available electronically in English and Spanish from:   
www.rlc.fao.org/prior/segalim/accalim/Guias/faoguias.html     G/SPS/GEN/525 
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 32. FAO/ESNS has also published many manuals on food inspection , including a series of 
fourteen Manuals on Food Quality Control.  Printed copies of these manuals are available in multiple 
languages from the FAO publications page: http://www.fao.org/es/ESN/publications/publications_en.stm
.   
33. FAO/ESNS has developed a training package and manual  as well as a database of 
resources  available in the area of Improving the Safety and Quality of Fresh Fruits and 
Vegetables , which are freely available from FAO web pag es or as a CD-ROM in English, French, and 
Spanish from:  http://www.fao.org/es/ESN/food/foodandfood_fruits_en.stm  
34. FAO/ESNS and WHO provide a platform for th e exchange of current information on the 
topic of Acrylamide through an electronic Acrylamide InfoNet , which is operated by the Joint 
(United States Food and Drug Administration and the University of Maryland) JIFSAN.  The 
Research Database now lists more than 100 projects a nd a "Call for Data on Levels of Acrylamide in 
Food and the Total Diet" was issued in July  2003.  The Infonet is available from:  www.acrylamide-
food.org/  
35. FAO has prepared a series of fact sheets on trade-related issues  for the 2003 WTO Cancun 
Ministerial Conference.  Sheet #14 in this seri es deals with the prevalence of non-tariff measures, 
such as food standards, and FAO's activities to assi st countries in dealing with these measures.  The 
entire series of fact sheets is available from:  www.fao.org/docrep/005/y4852e/y4852e00.htm  
36. In January 2004, FAO, jointly with IDF, published a Guide to Good Dairy Farming 
Practice .  FAO is finalizing the publication of a "Manual on Good Practices for the Meat 
Industry" , with funding from the private sector.  The manual will provide practical guidelines for 
primary producers and is also intended to guide ma nagers of abattoirs and the meat industry.  The 
manual takes a risk analysis appro ach and will be of value to veteri narians, with their supervisory 
roles in meat hygiene.  The book covers topics such  as application of risk management principles to 
the meat sector, meat hygiene applying to primary production, animals transport, handling, stunning, traceability and control of processing operations.  
37. In an effort to allow users to access complete information on international standards, national 
regulations, scientific evaluations, and other su pporting official information on sanitary and 
phytosanitary measures from a single source, FAO is leading an interagency initiative to develop and 
maintain an internet-based portal - the International Portal on Food Safety, Animal and Plant 
Health .  This portal allows users to by-pass secondary  (interpreted) information, as well as material 
which may be out of date - both of which can be fo und using typical internet search tools - and focus 
on the definitive official sources ac ross the three main disciplines of  food safety, animal health and 
plant health. 
38. As of November 2004, the portal contains re ferences to over 15,000 items, drawn from the 
three SPS-recognized standard setting bodies, as we ll as from the Convention on Biological Diversity 
(CBD), FAO, WHO, and WTO.  It also includes demonstration 'nodes' of nearly 400 items each from 
the US and the EU, and smaller data sets from sel ected developing countries.  Version 1.0 of the 
portal was formally launched on 25 May 2 004, on the occasion of the FAO/WHO Regional 
Conference on Food Safety for Asia and the Pacifi c in Seremban, Malaysia.  It is now freely 
accessible from the FAO Biosecurity Priority Ar ea for Interdisciplinary Action (PAIA) webpage 
(www.fao.org/biosecurity
) or directly from www.ipfsaph.org .  Interested users are invited to utilise 
the portal, share the link with other users, and provi de feedback to the FAO project team on the portal 
content and usability.  Work is now underway to in clude more detailed information from the current 
sources, including from Codex, the Joint Expert Committee on Food Additives (JECFA) and the Joint FAO/WHO Meeting on Pesticide Residues (JMPR), as well as data from additional countries.  A G/SPS/GEN/525 
Page 8  
 
 capacity building programme related to the portal is  also planned.  More information on the portal 
project is available as CAC27/INF/4.   
39. In an effort to improve information exchange  and communication with stakeholders in food 
safety and quality, FAO/ESNS distributes a monthly electronic newsletter, the Food Safety and 
Quality Update , to over 2,500 subscribers to provide information on recent developments and 
upcoming activities of FAO and Codex that are relate d to food safety and quality.  Other parties 
interested in receiving the newsletter can also subscr ibe by following the simple instructions listed in 
the newsletter itself.  The current newsletter and an archive of past newsletters are available from:  
http://www.fao.org/es/ESN/fsqu_en.stm
.  WHO also periodically sends an electronic newsletter, the 
Food Safety News , to interested parties regarding the ac tivities of WHO in food safety, available 
from: http://www.who.int/foodsafety/publications/newsletter/en/   
Global Tools Under Development 
 
40. FAO/ESNS is involved in the work which has commenced with the newly created 
IDF/ISO/AOAC lactic bacteria action team on methods for the assessment of probiotic 
microorganisms  as a follow-up of the recommendations of the FAO/WHO Expert Consultation on 
Health and Nutritional Properties of Powder Milk w ith Live Lactic Acid Bacteria, held in Cordoba, 
Argentina 2001. 
41. FAO/ESNS and WHO are in the process of finalising a CD-ROM training package on Food 
Safety Risk Analysis , which includes a framework and overview manual, a training module 
presentation, case studies in risk analysis, and access  to FAO/WHO resources related to food safety 
risk analysis.  An FAO(ESNS)/WHO workshop was held in Bali, Indonesia on 4 March 2004, to 
introduce the package to some potential users and to pr ovide participants with practical tools for risk 
analysis.  The workshop report is available from:   ftp://ftp.fao.org/es/esn/food/meetings/bali_report_mar04.pdf
 
42. In order to assist countries in Evaluating Capacity Buildin g Needs for Food Control , 
FAO/ESNS and WHO are preparing a joint publicati on on the subject to assist countries to identify 
and prioritise the areas where capacity building is n eeded.  This publication is in the final stages of 
approval and printing.  
43. FAO/ESNS and WHO are currently developing a training manual on Improving 
Participation  in the Work of Codex , designed to strengthen nationa l food safety and quality systems 
through enhanced participation in th e Codex process.  It has been field-tested in Africa and the Pacific 
and it is expected to be available in final form in late 2004.  The manual provides information on the 
Codex process and the development of national Codex programmes.  It should serve both as a 
reference document for those involved in nationa l Codex activities and as a training tool for 
national/regional training courses on C odex.  In addition, the manual is an important capacity building 
tool within the ongoing FAO and WHO programmes to increase effective participation in Codex 
activities, and it is anticipated that it will be of great support when used in conjunction with direct 
participation in Codex meetings of increasi ng numbers of countries through the funds of the 
FAO/WHO Codex Trust Fund.  
44. As part of a field project on the safety of street foods, FAO/ESNS is in the process of 
preparing a Training of Trainers Manual in Street Food Safety  to assist countries in improving the 
safety of this important source of nutrition for many cultures.    G/SPS/GEN/525 
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 45. FAO is finalizing publications on the following topics:   
  - A manual on the Prudent Use of Antimicrobials ;  
  - An FAO/ESNS manual on Marine Biotoxins ;  and 
  -  Worldwide Regulations for Mycotoxins in Food and Feed in 2003  (FAO/ESNS). 
46. In recent years, WHO has elaborated rules to  promote the production and handling of safe 
food, the Five Keys to Safer Food :  keep clean, separate raw and cooked food, cook food thoroughly, 
keep food at safe temperatures and use safe water an d raw material.  WHO is now developing a food 
safety training manual based on the Five Keys to Safer Food.  The purpose of this manual is to facilitate implementation of the Five Keys at count ry level.  The manual will provide relevant food 
safety information when disseminated. 
47. All these materials, once finalized, will be issu ed in multi-lingual form for wider use by 
member countries.   
IV. RECENT AND ONGOING CAPACITY BUILDING ACTIVITIES AT REGIONAL 
LEVEL 
A. C
APACITY BUILDING ACTIVITIES IN AFRICA  
REGIONAL ACTIVITIES  
Regional Workshops  
48. A workshop on Food Control Systems: Practical Approaches for the Southern African Region  
was implemented on 1 September 2003,  by FAO(ESNS)/WHO, in collaboration with the International 
Life Sciences Institute (ILSI).  The workshop was he ld in Pretoria, South Africa, immediately prior to 
the South African Association of Food Science and Technology (SAAFoST) Congress and Exhibition 
held in the same location from 2-4 September 2003.  Participants from each of the 14 countries of the 
Southern African Development Community (SADC), as well as local delegates, participated in the 
workshop.  Presentations were given by representativ es of FAO, WHO, the Food Safety Authority of 
Ireland, South African Department of Health, th e Tanzanian Bureau of Standards, the Mauritius 
Ministry of Agriculture, and the World Bank Progr amme for Capacity Building on Trade, Standards 
and Food Safety.  More informati on on the workshop is available from: 
http://www.fao.org/es/ESN/food/cap acity_workshops2003_en.stm    
49. FAO also held a seminar on Feed Safety in Africa , in connection with the Animal Feed 
Manufacturers Association Forum (AFMA), on 9 March 2004, in South Africa.   
FAO Regional Projects 
50. An FAO/ESNS project designed to train private small/medium size industries in 
HAACP/Good Hygiene Practices (GHP) a nd Good Manufacturing Practices (GMP ) covering Benin, 
Burkina Faso, Cote d'Ivoire, Mali, Niger and Sene gal began in September, 2001.  The main objective 
of the project is to support the member states in their efforts to improve food quality to protect consumers and facilitate access to international mark ets.  This objective w ill be supported through 
training courses at the regional level for Training of  Trainers in GHP and HAACP and at the national 
level for industry.  One regional training course and six national courses were implemented, the last of 
which took place from 10-19 June 2003, in Dakar, Sénégal.  More information is available at: 
http://www.fao.org/es/ESN/food/capacity_projects_africa_en.stm
 
51. A Special Regional Program for Food Security  covering the Union Economique et Monetaire 
Oest Africaine (UEMOA) countries, was initiated in  December of 2001, and will continue through 
December 2004.  The project was implemented by sev eral divisions within FAO.  The objectives of 
the activities undertaken by the Food Control and Co nsumer protection group under phase one were to G/SPS/GEN/525 
Page 10  
 
 improve harmonization of regula tion and upgrade the institutional capacity of food control 
institutions.  The activities of the project include review of existing food legislation and regional 
harmonisation, training of food control inspectors a nd upgrading laboratory facilities.  The review of 
the existing food control systems (including legal and regulatory texts, inspection procedures, and 
analytical techniques and capacities)  has been completed and regional proposals for short, medium, 
and long-term improvements were presented in a technical meeting in Ouagadougou, Burkina Faso 
from 16-18 June 2003.  Pilot activities of training and provision of analytical equipment followed this meeting.   
52. In early 2004, FAO launched a project to improve the quality and quantity of acacia gum
 
(used in making Gum Arabic, a natural multi-functiona l food additive) to help the rural poor who live 
in the semi-arid zones of six African countries bor dering the Sahara to achieve self-sufficiency.  
53. A project to reduce post harvest losses and incr ease the safety of milk and dairy products in 
sub-Saharan Africa has been appr oved and is in the initial stages of activities.  The overall objective 
of the project is to increase the supply and marke ting of safe milk and dairy products with emphasis 
on the informal dairy sector and street vendors.  The project will be implemented by the Animal 
Production and Health Division (AGA) with techni cal assistance provided by the Food Control and 
Consumer Protection Group (of ESNS).  The project aims to increase technical capacity in terms implementation of Good Hygiene and Manufacturing Practices and improved inspection techniques.  
Consumer awareness will be heightened through re levant communication channels using a variety of 
media to promote appropriate messages.  At the e nd of the project, a stakeholder's workshop will be 
held.  
54. FAO implemented a project in March 2004, to assist the countries which are members of the 
African Union in the establishment of a Common Market for basic food products
.  The project is 
scheduled to conclude in September 2005, and is im plemented jointly by the Basic Foodstuffs Service 
and the Food Quality and Standards Service of FAO.   
WHO Regional Projects  
55. In the African Region there is concern about ca mpylobacteriosis, salmonellosis, shigellosis, 
brucellosis, hepatitis; food poisoning due to Staphylococcus aureus  and Bacillus cereus ; infections 
due to Escherichia coli  and rotavirus.  Cholera, which has been shown to be often foodborne, is also 
endemic in the Region.  Other food safety problems include pesticide residues, mycotoxins, other naturally occurring toxins and physical contaminants in foods.   
56. The WHO Regional Office conducted a survey on food safety, which analysed the health 
risks associated with food handling.  An awar eness-raising workshop was organized in Bamako for 
food safety focal points.  The results of the regiona l survey were discussed at this workshop.  There 
were 60 participants from 30 countries. 
57. Botswana conducted workshops in six communiti es.  Kenya and Gambia were supported to 
develop tools for foodborne disease surveillance; and food inspectors and other relevant officers were 
trained in Algeria, Botswana, Kenya and Zimbabwe.  Nigeria and Chad conducted a situation analysis 
of their national programme.  The Gambia review ed its Draft National Food Act and Madagascar 
carried out a number of advocacy activities. 
58. The WHO Regional Office participated in the Joint FAO/WHO workshop on Food Control 
Systems - Practical Approaches by SADC and presented a paper entitled 'Foodborne disease surveillance - a tool for priority setting in food co ntrol programmes'.  Others were the establishment 
of a healthy market place in Mozambique and WH O Global Salm-Surv Intern ational Training Course 
for Francophone countries held in Yaoundé, Cameroon.  G/SPS/GEN/525 
 Page 11 
 
 
 59. The WHO Regional Office created an information series on the Codex which summarised 
important decisions by the Codex Committees.  A training guide for the informal food trade on the 
causes of foodborne disease and safe food handling wa s developed and will be finalised in 2004.  It 
will be used in training activities aimed at improving street food safety in the Region. 
60. The 53rd Regional Committee, held in Johannesbur g South Africa in September 2003, adopted 
a resolution on Food Safety after discussion of a pa per entitled 'Food Safety and Health - Situation 
Analysis and Perspectives'. 
61. The resolution urged member states to:  (i ) develop or update food safety policies and 
legislation that are based on scientific risk assessm ent and prevention along th e entire food chain;  
(ii) ensure the harmonization of food safety regulatio ns with international food standards and norms, 
including active participation in the work of the Codex Alimentarius Commiss ion and its committees;  
(iii) incorporate or strengthen food safety educa tion and information into training programmes for 
food handlers at all levels , consumers, producers, and farmers;  (i v) integrate or strengthen food safety 
matters in the curricula from the primary school level to higher learning institutions;  (v) provide 
functional laboratory facilities, adequate resources and networks as part of the national surveillance 
system ensuring the preparedness and response of count ries to food hazards;  and (vi) ensure national, 
inter-country and regional coordina tion and networking among the various  stakeholders, including the 
private sector. 
62. It requested the Regional Director to:  (i) continue to advocate for inclusion of food safety in 
the overall national development goa ls and strategies;  (ii) to provide technical support for the 
development and implementation of food safety polici es and legislation;  (iii) to promote food safety 
research and surveillance;  and (iv) to strengthen collaboration with other in ternational partners and 
relevant bodies to make scientific decisions on food safety and health issues relating to new 
technologies, including genetically modified foods. 
National Activities 
 
FAO Field Projects  
63. Under its Technical Cooperation Programme (T CP), the FAO Food Quality and Standards 
Service has implemented numerous projects on critical  aspects of food control in many countries.  
FAO/TCP is designed to assist Member Nations in so lving their most pressing development needs.  In 
the field of food safety these include strengthening  of national food control systems, enhancing 
laboratory facilities and analysis capacities and improving the ability of member countries to comply 
with new trade regulations.  TCP projects are generally of one to two year duration, with the possibility for a second phase of funding if warranted.  Some of the projects are conducted with other 
groups within FAO, as indicated.   
64. A project to assure the quality of food products in Benin
 was approved in September 2003, 
and will continue until June 2005.  The project will support the implementation of a system of 
management and quality assurance of agricultural products.   
65. FAO has also begun a project to improve the quality of street foods in Benin.  The expected 
project outputs are mainly to reduce the negative imp act of urban pollution on consumer health and to 
improve the food safety at all the production-to-cons umption levels.  This project contains an 
important training component to horticulture produc ers, wholesale and retail food vendors and to food 
inspectors.  A national strategy will be drawn to define the actions to be taken by the relevant 
governmental institutions to ensure the sustainab ility of the project outcomes.  The project was 
approved in September 2003, and is scheduled  to continue until February 2005.   G/SPS/GEN/525 
Page 12  
 
 66. The first phase of a project to improve the Quality of Street foods in Bobo Dioulasso, Burkina 
Faso  began in September of 2002, and continued through December 2003.  The second phase of the 
project is being implemented from January to Decemb er 2004.  The main activities of the project are 
to undertake a survey on the quality and safety of street foods, provide training on Good Hygiene Practices to street food vendors and on food contro l techniques to the inspectors; and to formulate a 
municipal strategy for further improving the safety of street foods.    
67. An FAO TCP project was approved in May 2004, to support the implementation of a strategy 
to control and monitor the quality and safety of food products in the Democratic Republic of Congo
.  
The project is scheduled to continue until October 2005.   
68. A project to strengthen the National Food Cont rol System of Gabon began in October 2003, 
and is scheduled to continue through late 2004.  The objective of the project is to help the country to 
develop the efficiency of the control of commercia lized foodstuffs by the training of food inspectors 
and laboratory staff.  Another objective is to define  the necessary strategies to ameliorate the quality 
of prepared street food. 
69. A project to improve the quality and safety of street foods in Guinea Bissau  was funded in 
October 2002, and will continue through November 2004.  The project objectives are to identify 
practical actions to ensure the quality and safety of  street foods and protect consumers and to better 
integrate the street food sector into the socio-econom ic context of the city's urbanization.  These 
objectives will be met through the conducting of diagnos tic studies of street food sector in terms of 
prevalent hygienic practices, sanitary infrastructur es, legal framework and socio-economic aspects to 
develop a plan of action for improving the environm ental conditions where street foods are sold and 
ensure hygienic preparation of the food.  A serie s of workshops will be c onducted to improve control 
of the sector.  Vendors and others will be engaged in  training to improve environmental and hygienic 
practices and educational campaign will be conduc ted to increase the awareness of consumers to 
street food safety issues.  
70. A project to Support the Informal Food Sector in Guinea began in June 2003, and is 
scheduled to continue through Ja nuary 2005.  The objective of the assistance is to help the 
Government to define the strategies necessary to im prove the quality of food prepared and sold on the 
street.  The project will carry out research and pre- test feasible actions to improve the safety and 
quality of food sold on the street.  Consumers wi ll receive information on associations and other 
institutions working to protect the safety and qualit y of food and learn where further information on 
the subject can be found. 
71. A project to provide capacity building and assistance in the review of sanitary and 
phytosanitary legislation in Namibia  was funded in May 2004, and is  scheduled to continue until 
November 2005.  The project is being implemented by the FAO Legal Service and the Food Quality 
and Standards Service.   
72. A project to implement a National Integrated Food Sanitation Program in Nigeria has been 
approved in September 2004.  The project was proposed following a field mission to that country.   
73. An FAO staff member went on mission to Rwanda  in May 2004, to advise on the preparation 
of legislation covering the safety  of foods of animal origin under Phase 2 of a TCP project on 
veterinary drug legislation. 
74. A project has been approved to assist in the c ontrol of pesticide residues in fruit and vegetable 
products for export in Senegal .  The project, funded in May 2003, is led by FAO's Plant Production 
Division, in collaboration with FAO's F ood Quality and Standards Service.    G/SPS/GEN/525 
 Page 13 
 
 
 75. A project to Strengthen the National Food Cont rol System and National Codex Organisation 
began in Tanzania  in February 2003, and is scheduled to c ontinue through late 2004.  The objective of 
the project is to improve the quality, safety and nutritional value of food produced in Tanzania and to ensure the acceptability of food imports/exports into /from the country.  In particular, it aims at 
reviewing and improving the current food control administration; upgrading food inspection and food 
analysis through training programmes; and improvi ng the capabilities of the Tanzania Codex Contact 
Point within the Tanzania Bureau of Standards. 
Other Activities 
76. A Training Manual for Hygienic Practices in Street Food Production and Sale  is being 
prepared by FAO in collaboration with the University of Benin. 
77. A Cooperative programme between FAO and th e World Bank is being undertaken in the 
region to develop a conceptual framework for improving regional food control systems.  Two 
missions were undertaken, one to Ghana and another to Senegal. 
FAO
 UPCOMING ACTIVITIES  
78. FAO has received many requests by nati onal governments for future projects.  
79. At the request of the National Food Research Institute of Botswana  for FAO assistance in 
strengthening its national food safety system, a project proposal has been prepared.  This project is in 
the approval phase.  
80. A request has been received from the government of Cote d'Ivoire  to formulate a project to 
strengthen the food control system.  This project is in the formulation stage.   
81. A draft proposal has been prepared to assist the Government of Rwanda  in the Hygienic 
handling of foods of animal origin.  The project is being developed by the Animal Production service 
and the Food Quality and Standards Service of FAO.   
82. The Government of Senegal  has requested assistance in strengthening and supporting Quality 
Assurance Systems in Food Safety Laboratories.  Th e request is currently in the approval process.   
83. Funding is currently being sought for a sub -regional programme proposal developed by FAO 
to facilitate trade in the Southern African  Development Community (SADC) member states  through 
food standards and food safety management.   
84. As a follow-up to the recommendations of the first Global Forum of Food Safety Regulators 
and in line with the 123rd FAO Council's instruc tions, FAO and WHO have sought the views of the 
countries of each region on the interest in convening other regional food safety conferences.  At the 
request of the Codex Coordinating Committee for Africa, preparations are underway for an 
FAO/WHO Regional Conference on Food Safety for Africa .  A briefing meeting with the delegates of 
the region to the 27th Codex Alimentarius Commi ssion Meeting was held on 29 June 2004, to further 
discuss the themes of the conference and specific pape rs to be presented.  Further planning and the 
establishment of the date and location will occur in the upcoming months.   
WHO future activities 
85. The resolution by the Regional Committee forms the basis for future food safety activities in 
the region.  The Regional Office promotes a holistic and integrated approach to reducing the high 
burden of foodborne diseases and associated economic consequences.   G/SPS/GEN/525 
Page 14  
 
 86. Member countries will be provided assistance to  strengthen foodborne disease surveillance, 
food control systems and to enhance their particip ation in the health-related committees of the Codex 
Alimentarius.   
87. Other planned activities include a:  (i) Pilot Project to improve food safety in schools;  and 
(ii) project for strengthening of food law and implementation of Codex Standards in selected 
countries. 
88. The following workshops/consultations are also planned:  (i) Scientific Consultation on 
Health Impact of aflatoxins in foods;  (ii) Expe rt workshop on Codex Procedures and risk analysis;  
(iii) Training of trainers in food safety for the info rmal food;  and (iv) Workshop on foodborne disease 
surveillance and laboratory mon itoring of foodborne pathogens. 
B. C
APACITY BUILDING ACTIVITIES IN ASIA 
REGIONAL ACTIVITIES  
89. FAO and WHO jointly organized a workshop on "Functional Foods:  Safety and Regulatory 
Aspects " on 6 September 2004, in Jeju-do, Republic of Korea, immediately prior to the 14th Session 
of the Codex Coordinating Committee for Asia.  The workshop was held to:  (i) provide information 
on the characteristics and use of functional foods throughout the world, including information on 
consumer perceptions, safety evaluatio n and regulatory control of functi onal foods;  and (ii) provide a 
venue to exchange information on the status of functional foods in selected countries in the Asia 
region.  The workshop was not intended to make  recommendations to FAO/WHO, Codex, or the 
member countries regarding functional foods or to  propose definitions of functional foods, but to 
provide information and identify specific areas that  require further attention and that could be 
addressed in the future.  The complete re port of the workshop is available from: 
www.fao.org/es/ESN/food/capac ity_workshops2004_en.stm   
90. An FAO regional workshop on Food and Feed Safety  was held from 19 to 22 July 2004 in 
Bangkok, Thailand.  The Workshop was held in collaboration with OIE, DLD (Department of 
Livestock Development, Thailand) and JLTA ( Japan Livestock Technology Association).  The 
Workshop was organized in order to review the curr ent situation of Food and Feed Safety in Member 
Countries in the region and to set directions for f ood and feed safety programmes and concurrently to 
define priority areas for capacity building.  In a ddition to the OIE/FAO representatives, the workshop 
was attended by participants from 15 countries as  well as by representatives of private sector 
companies related to activities of food and feed safety.  As follow-up, Member Countries in the Region are planning to develop a Food and Feed Sa fety Network, using FAO and OIE expertise, to 
improve food and feed safety, through coordinated surveillance and risk analysis activities, laboratory 
procedures and information sharing.  Also, FAO and OIE committed to iden tifying national institutes 
in the Region as Regional Collaborating Centres for food and feed safety in each of the identified 
disciplinary areas to improve regional capacity.  
91. In an effort to facilitate the discussion of practical actions and capacity building 
recommendations to promote food safety in the countries of the Asian and Pacific region, FAO/ESNS 
and WHO convened a Regional Conference on Fo od Safety for Asia and the Pacific
 in Seremban, 
Malaysia from 24-27 May 2004.  This Conference is  the second in a series of regional meetings, the 
first of which was held in European Region in February 2002, that FAO and WHO are convening at the request of member countries to  meet their needs for policy guidance and capacity building in food 
safety.  The Conference also included side events on the topics of the Safety of Street-vended Foods 
and Enterobacter sakazakii  in infant formula.  The discussion papers and background information on 
the Conference, in addition to the final report are available from the Conference website:  G/SPS/GEN/525 
 Page 15 
 
 
 http://www.foodsafetyforum.org/asian/index_en.asp  and will be available as a bound publication and 
in Chinese in due course.   
92. A FAO (ESNS)/WHO workshop, in collaboration with ILSI, was held in Bali, Indonesia on 
4 March 2004 to introduce an FAO/WHO CD-ROM training package on Food Safety Risk Analysis  to 
some potential users and to provide participants with practical tools for risk analysis.  FAO/WHO are in 
the process of finalizing the packag e, which includes an overview an d framework manual, a power point 
presentation, cased studies on risk analysis, and valuable  annexes.  The workshop report is available from:  
ftp://ftp.fao.org/es /esn/food/meetings/bal i_report_mar04.pdf  
93. The fourth in the series of conferences organi zed for the South Asian region under the global 
FAO (ESNS)/ILSI Cooperative Framework was held  in Kathmandu, Nepal 10-11 December 2002.  
This Regional Meeting on Modernising Food Contro l Systems in the South Asian Association for 
Regional Cooperation (SAARC) Region  was held to:  (i) examine critical issues in food safety in 
SAARC region (microbiology, food additives, biotechnology, nutraceuticals and micronutrient 
fortification of foods); (ii) provide the latest  updates on food safety tools (Risk Analysis, HAACP, 
GMP);  (iii) sensitize policy makers and management  to institute mechanisms  for risk assessment;  
(iv) recommend strategy for modernizing food contro l systems;  (v) review existing food laws and 
regulations in SAARC countries with a view to  identify main differences and diversions from 
international standards and understa nd the implications of using Codex as the reference point;  and 
(vi) identify ways for fostering stronger regiona l cooperation for capacity building.  The full 
programme for the conference can be accessed at:   ftp://ftp.fao.org/es/esn/food/ meetings/10Dec2002agenda.pdf
 
94. The fifth in the series of conferences organized  for the South Asian region under the global 
FAO / ILSI Cooperative Framework was held in Goa, India from 21-23 September, 2003.  This 
Regional Meeting on Modernising Food Control Systems in the SAARC Region  was held to:  
(i) examine critical issues in food safety in the SAARC region (microbiology, food additives, 
biotechnology, nutraceuticals and micronutrient fortification of foods);  (ii) provide the latest updates 
on food safety tools (Risk Analysis, HAACP, GMP);  (iii) sensitize policy make rs and management to 
institute mechanisms for risk ass essment;  (iv) recommend strategy  for modernizing food control 
systems;  (v) review existing food laws and regul ations in SAARC countries with a view to identify 
main differences and diversions from international standards and understand the implications of using 
Codex as the reference point;  and (vi) identify wa ys for fostering stronger regional cooperation for 
capacity building.  The full programme fo r the conference can be accessed at:   
ftp://ftp.fao.org/es/esn/food/m eetings/Goa_report_2003.pdf  
95. As part of the IX Asian Congress of Nutrition held in New Delhi, India, FAO/ESNS held a 
symposium on Food Safety and Quality: Issues for Developing Countries on 25 February 2003.  
Speakers from Asia and the Pacific gave presentations  on general considerations for food safety risk 
analysis, a case study on food safety risk analysis from India, components and infrastructure needed 
for effective food control systems, safety risks and nu trition potentials of street foods, and safety risks 
and nutrition potentials of gene tically modified foods.   
96. An FAO(ESNS)/WHO Workshop on Applying Food Safety Risk Analysis in Asia – Practical 
Approaches  was held in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia on 16 September 2002, in collaboration with ILSI-
South East Asia, the financial support of ILSI Intern ational and the kind hospitality of the Ministry of 
Health, Government of Malaysia.  The workshop was held to raise awareness of the countries of the 
Region about risk analysis in food safety, and to contribute to increased participation of developing 
countries in Codex Regional Coordinating Committee m eetings.  A total of ninety-two participants 
representing nineteen countries from the Asian re gion, three observer countries, ILSI, Consumers 
International, and the FAO/ WHO/ Codex secretaria ts participated at the workshop.  Of these 
participants, twenty-one food safety officials from the Asian region were financially supported by G/SPS/GEN/525 
Page 16  
 
 FAO/ILSI, most of whom remained for at least pa rt of the 13th Session of  the Codex Coordinating 
Committee for Asia.  The full report of the workshop is available from: ftp://ftp.fao.org/es/esn/food/ meetings/workshop_sep2002.pdf
 
97. The Seventh Meeting of the Expert Wo rking Group (EWG) on the Harmonization of 
Maximum Residue Limits (MRLs) of Pesticides Among ASEAN Countries  was held in Hanoi from 
30 October-1 November 2002.  The Eighth annual meeting was held in Brunei in December 2003. 
These meetings aim at the establishment of MRLs that could be acceptable for commodities moving within the ASEAN regions, taking in to consideration Codex MRLs.  
WHO WPRO Regional Perspectives in Asia  
 98. The importance of national food safety prog rammes founded on risk assessment or its 
elements (hazard identification, hazard char acterization, exposure assessment and risk 
characterization) is clearly identified in both th e WHO global and regional food safety strategies.  
Consequently, the World Health Organization Regi onal Office for the Western Pacific (WHO WPRO) 
strengthened the capacity of its member states thr ough support for targeted contaminant monitoring in 
Lao People's Democratic Republic and Viet Nam wh ile, in the Philippines, a review was undertaken 
to determine what information was available on the contamination of the food supply in the 
Philippines.   
99. WHO WPRO also advanced efforts that had b een initiated earlier in collaboration with the 
Asian Development Bank, to strengt hen foodborne disease surveillance in Viet Nam.  In support of 
the programme of active surveillance, case-control studies, household survey, and clinical laboratory-
practice survey, WHO and the Centres for Disease C ontrol and Prevention (CDC) reviewed progress 
made by the Food Administration of Viet Nam and provided technical expertise to enhance data 
collation and interpretation.   
100. As stated in the endorsed
1 Western Pacific Regional Strategy for Food Safety, policies, plans 
of action and legislation are key elements of an y effective national food safety programme.  WHO 
collaborated with Cambodia, China and Lao People's Democratic Republic to review the current food 
safety situation and to further deve lop national food safety policies and/or plans of action.  At the 
request of the Ministry of Health in China, the WHO organized several missions that reviewed the 
organization of the food safety system and identifie d strategies and actions to  enhance the food safety 
control structures; identified how the newly formed  State Food and Drug Administration (SFDA) will 
coordinate action on food safety with the Ministry  of Health; collaborated with the Development 
Research Center (DRC) on how a farm to table appro ach could be applied to food safety in China; and 
prepared a proposal for possible European Un ion (EU), WHO and FAO collaborative action to 
strengthen food safety systems in China.  In Camb odia, Lao People's Democratic Republic and Viet 
Nam, food laws and/or regulations were reviewed and in Lao People's Demo cratic Republic and Viet 
Nam new food laws were approved.  Support was also provided to enable the Food and Drug 
Department of Lao People's Democra tic Republic to disseminate inform ation regarding its legislation. 
101. Risk communication is integral to effective operation of national food safety programmes.  
Advocacy and awareness-raising are also both important catalysts that increase government, industry and consumer action aimed at achieving safer food.  A joint FAO/WHO technical mission to Cambodia aimed to increase political awareness of the need for farm-to-table protection of the food 
supply.  Additional advocacy efforts included the de velopment and distribution of a video on the need 
for governments to address food safety along the food  chain; collaborative action with the Philippines' 
Food Safety Committee of the Department of H ealth and Consumers Inte rnational to enhance 
                                                     
 
1  Resolution WPR/RC52.R2, 52nd session of the Regional Committee.  G/SPS/GEN/525 
 Page 17 
 
 
 consumer representative access to information on fo od safety and Codex; and the local development 
of advocacy materials in Lao People's Democratic Republic. 
102. A web-based network of trainers of food safety regulators was finalized 
(http://www.wpro.who.int/fsiguide/index.asp ) and a forum initiated to identify core competencies that 
need to be addressed in the training of food inspectors.  In Viet Nam, food safety training materials 
were developed and applied to the training of fo od managers and handlers in canteens;  training 
courses were conducted in a number of key locati ons for food producers and food traders;  and 
training was provided in relation to laboratory t echniques, laboratory qualit y assurance and laboratory 
environmental management.  Supplies were provide d for food hygiene information management and 
information sharing in China.  Also, in order to enhance access of school children to key food safety 
messages, WHO WPRO developed and trialed food safety information for teenagers and food safety 
instructional activities for school children in the Philippines.  
UPCOMING ACTIVITIES /PROJECTS  
103. With the goal of reducing the risk of emer ging zoonotic diseases by strengthening risk-based 
regulatory frameworks and their enforcement in relati on to the marketing of live birds and animals for 
food, WHO WPRO is proposing a number of key actions.  These include identifying the current 
information and information gaps regarding emerging and ongoing zoonoses of public health 
significance; identifying current regulatory frame works and enforcement strategies applied to 
marketing of birds and animals to prevent and co ntrol zoonoses; conducting cost-benefit analysis of 
market regulations applied in Hong Kong; an d conducting a joint WHO/FAO/OIE meeting in 
November 2004, to identify what steps need to be taken to develop and apply evidence-based risk 
management strategies related to human health an d the strengthening of regulatory control in the 
marketing of live birds and animals for food.  Possibl e terms of reference for such a joint meeting are 
being put forward as: 
• share experiences on emerging diseases which appear to be zoonotic in origin; 
• learn from each other regarding current polic y, regulatory and enforcement environments 
related to the marketing of liv e birds and animals for food; 
• identify the potential human hea lth risks posed by current prac tices in the marketing of live 
birds and animals for food; 
• assess the evidence base for current regulatory control measures app licable in the marketing of 
animals and food from animals; 
• provide guidance applicable in the developing country situation regarding possible regulatory 
controls to be applied in marketplaces to redu ce the risk to human health posed by zoonotic 
diseases;  and 
• identify research that needs to be undertak en to strengthen the evidence base for such 
regulatory controls in marketplaces and put fo rward a programme of work to address these 
needs. 
104. FAO will be holding the sixth in a series of conferences for the South Asia region under the 
Global FAO/ILSI Cooperative framework in Colom bo, Sri Lanka from 25-27 November 2004.  This 
Regional Meeting on Modernising Food Control System s in the SAARC region will be held to review 
existing food laws and regulations in SAARC count ries and to discuss further steps required towards 
the integration of science-based food control among SAARC countries.   G/SPS/GEN/525 
Page 18  
 
 V. CAPACITY BUILDING ACTIVITIES AT NATIONAL LEVEL 
Field Projects 
105. An FAO Technical Cooperation Programme (TCP ) project on Strengthening Food Control in 
Bangladesh
 was approved in May 2003, and is scheduled  for completion in May 2005.  The project 
objective is to strengthen the regulatory food control system in order to improve consumer protection 
by ensuring the safety and quality of both the dom estic and imported food supplies.  The project 
objective will be achieved through improving local food  control capacity by providing on-site training 
in food control administration and management in cluding review of legisla tion and development of 
food quality and food safety standards and regulati ons.  Training will be provided to laboratory 
analytical staff, laboratory management, food inspector s and others involved in food quality control.   
106. A TCP project on Strengthening Food C ontrol and Codex began in Bhutan  in June 2000, with 
funding for Phase 2 of this project approved in Februa ry 2004.  The project is oriented toward the re-
organization of the food control administration in the country.  A new food act has been proposed and the inspection service has been centralised.  Some activities are still ongoing for upgrading the 
chemical and microbiological food laboratories.   
107. A TCP project on Strengthening Testing Capab ility for Food Safety was requested by the 
Chinese
 Government which is planned to start in Oct ober 2004.  The project aims at strengthening the 
analytical capabilities and capacities of the Food Qualit y Supervision and Testi ng Centre in Wuhan in 
order to meet requirements of the international a nd domestic market concerning pesticide residues.  
Further activities will be the training of farmers on use and application of pesticides and chemical 
fertilizers and raising the awareness of food contro l experts of food hygiene and food safety.  
108. An FAO TCP project in India was initiated in November 2000, and was completed in mid 
2003.  The objective of the project was to strengt hen the National Codex Co mmittee and the National 
Codex Contact Point to ensure the effective conduct of Codex work at a national level and enhanced 
participation at international level.  Activ ities included a series of training programmes for 
government professionals, industry and consumer groups on strengthening food safety and quality 
systems in India through the National Codex Committ ee.  A prioritised action plan for harmonization 
of national food standards and regulations with CAC recommendations has been produced as an 
output of the project. 
109. An FAO TCP project for Mongolia to Strengthen Food Import Control commenced in 
June 2002, and is scheduled for completion in Oct ober 2004.  The objectives of the project are to 
establish and strengthen the national system of cont rol of food import quality and safety.  This is 
extremely important for Mongolia as 90 per cent of the food consumed in Mongolia is imported.  
Specifically, the project will improve the institutional set-up for the control of food import in Mongolia, provide training to food inspectors, strengthen laboratory facilities and train analytical staff associated with border food control.  It will also raise awareness of national authorities of the work of 
Codex internationally, the releva nce of this work nationally and the importance of full stakeholder 
participation in food  control matters.  
110. FAO has implemented a TCP project to provide assistance to Nepal
 in the review of 
agricultural policy and legislation.  The FAO legal de partment is the lead unit for this activity, with 
the Food Quality and Standards Service providing technical support.   
111. An FAO TCP project on strengthening SPS compliance for fresh fruits and vegetables 
commenced in Thailand  in December 2003, and will continue  through October 2005.  The project has 
been requested by the Government of Thailand given the great potential in Thailand for exporting 
fresh and processed fruits and vegetables.  Project  activities will focus on management of programmes 
for the prevention and control of microbiological hazards in these products, technical capabilities of  G/SPS/GEN/525 
 Page 19 
 
 
 food producers, training on food safety and qualit y assurance systems for producers, processors and 
government officers responsible for the implementati on of these systems.  In addition, the overall 
export inspection and certification system of  fruits and vegetables will be improved.  
112. An FAO TCP project to improve coffee quality  in Thailand was appr oved in March 2004.  
Activities under this project include training in good hygiene practice along the coffee chain to reduce 
mould growth and mycotoxin formation in green coffee.  It provides training in monitoring and 
analysis of ochratoxin-A.    
113. An FAO TCP project to improve coffee quality and prevent ochratoxin A (OTA) 
contamination in Vietnam  began in September 2002 and is schedul ed to be completed in late 2004.  
The project involves defining mould formation m echanisms, identifying critical control points, 
evaluating optimal drying conditions, and de veloping the necessary tools (e.g. GAP, GMP and 
HACCP) to control and monitor OTA production.   
114. Under a 2001-2002 Technical Assistance Agr eement funded by the Asian Development 
Bank, the Ministry of Health and WHO undertook a collaborative programme that involved a four-pronged approach addressing:  (i) policy and legisl ation;  (ii) laboratory facilities and operations;  
(iii) food-borne disease surveillance;  and (iv) information, education, communication and training.  
The main objective of the Technical Assistance Agreement was to strengthen the capacity of the 
Ministry of Health to promote food safety and re duce the incidence of foodborne disease.  The work 
included:  reviews of existing legislative arrangement s;  audits of laboratory facilities and analytical 
capability;  assessment of surveillance needs;  and th e development of an information, education and 
training centre for food safety.  The overriding theme was that attempts to improve food safety should 
address all steps along the food chain, in the  farm-to-plate  continuum.   
115. All components of the Technical Assistance Agreement were completed, with significant 
outputs and outcomes.  The highlights include the following: 
• Extensive evaluation of existing legislative a rrangements for the control of food safety and 
technical input into the draft Food Hygiene and Safety Ordinance; 
• Inventory of food safety analytical facilities,  training of analysts, and guidance for the 
creation of a network of regional food safety laboratories; 
• Development of a pilot programme for the creati on of sentinel sites for the active surveillance 
of foodborne disease, including the training of surveillance personnel;  and 
• Establishment of the Food Safety Communicati on and Education Centre and the development 
of relevant education and training materials. 
U
PCOMING ACTIVITIES /PROJECTS  
 
116. FAO/WHO conducted a joint mission to Cambodia  from 23-27 February 2004, to review 
their food safety systems and prepare a project to strengthen the national food control structure and 
services.  The mission also considered the formulation of a regional action plan on food safety covering several Southeast Asian countries.  A project  on this subject was proposed and is waiting for 
final approval from the funding agency.   
117. The Government of Pakistan
 has requested assistance from FAO for building national 
capacity for Food Quality and Safety. Specifically, the Ministry for Food, Agriculture and Livestock 
(MINFAL) is seeking assistance in reviewing and revising national SPS laws, remodelling animal and 
plant quarantine services, enhancing the capabilities of reference laboratories, forging technical G/SPS/GEN/525 
Page 20  
 
 linkages and fostering cooperation with developed economies.  The request is still in the initial 
formulation phase. 
118. An FAO/ WHO project to Develop Food Standard s within a Risk Analysis Framework with 
pilot application in the low income countries of Asia and the Pacific
 has been funded by the Standards 
and Trade Development Facility (STDF) in early 2004.  Following final logistics for implementing 
the project, the project will be implemented with the assistance of Food Standards Australia New 
Zealand (FSANZ).   
119. Funding has been sought from the FAO/ Gove rnment of Japan Cooperative Framework to 
implement two projects to assist the low income countries of Asia and the Pacific .  The first proposal 
is to strengthen the availability of data from deve loping countries of the Asian region be utilized in 
conducting international food safety risk assessments.   The second project is to implement improved 
institutional frameworks for food safety management and control in the Least Developed Countries of 
Asia.   
120. A project has been proposed by FAO to assist Asian countries in the Quality Improvement of 
Pepper.  The project is currently in the review phase.   
121. WHO will focus its future efforts on enhanc ing food safety through a number of key 
strategies.  WHO will facilitate coordinated intern ational action and extend its partnership activities in 
food safety in the Region.  Key partners in this respect include national food safety authorities, FAO, 
SPC, ASEAN, Consumers Internationa l, development banks and aid ag encies, as well as universities.  
Particular attention will be given to supporting s ub-regional approaches to food safety (eg ASEAN) 
and to strengthening the national capacity particul arly in countries such as Cambodia, China, Lao 
PDR, Mongolia, Philippines and Viet Nam.  Attenti on will continue to be paid to strengthening 
national capacity to develop policies, plans of acti on and legislation, to empowering member states to 
more effectively participate in the Codex sta ndards development process and enabling them to 
establish national standards consis tent with Codex guidance.   
122. As surveillance is the basis fo r the formulation of national st rategies to reduce food-related 
risks, WHO will collaborate with member states to  strengthen their capacity to obtain, utilize and 
share reliable data on:  (i) foodborne diseases;  and (ii) food contamination.  This information will be 
used to apply to risk profiles and assessments and to  enhancing the capacity of countries to make risk-
based decisions regarding food safety.  Such data and  assessments will further serve as the basis for 
setting international standards and guidelines, and fo r national food regulations  or other initiatives.  
WHO will also work to ensure that  health authorities contribute effectively in the work of the Codex 
Alimentarius Commission in order to ensure that consumer health concerns are reflected in the 
priorities of the Commission.  To ensure that all those with due responsibility for food safety 
(including governments, industry and consumers) are able to effectively participate in efforts to 
ensure the safety of food and are able to r espond appropriately to outbreaks, emergencies and 
disasters, WHO will build risk communication capabilit y in its member states.  The Organization will 
encourage governments to review training of f ood inspectors and encourage member states to 
empower their enforcement officers through better traini ng.  member states will also be encouraged to 
work more collaboratively with both industry and co nsumers and health authorities will be supported 
so they can provide the public accurate and tim ely information in outbreaks and emergencies.  G/SPS/GEN/525 
 Page 21 
 
 
 A. CAPACITY BUILDING ACTIVITIES IN EUROPE  
REGIONAL ACTIVITIES  
Regional Workshops  
123. FAO and the Slovak Agricultural University jo intly held a workshop for delegates from 
Eastern and Central European countries on Intern et Portal on Food Safety- Communication Systems 
to Strengthen Food Safety a nd Build Consumer Confidence  in Nitra, Slovakia on 23-26 March 2003.  
The workshop discussed the following systems to facilitate communication in food safety:  
(i) International Portal for Food Safety, Animal and Plant Health;  (ii) Rapid Alert System of the EU; 
(iii) Emerging Risk Identification System deve loped by the Netherlands;  and (iv) Agroweb 
Information System for Central and Eastern Eur ope.  The workshop report is available from: 
www.nitranet.org/conference/papers/nitrafinalreport.pdf  
124. FAO and WHO jointly held a sub-regional work shop for the Development of National Food 
Safety Strategies in South Eastern Europe (SEE ) in Brijuni, Croatia from 5-7 July 2004.  This 
workshop was organized as part of the Food Safety Project of the SEE countries within the framework 
of the Stability Pact Initiative for social cohesi on in the Balkans.  The main objectives of the 
workshop included:  (a) discussing the needs assess ment for the development of a national food safety 
strategy;  (b) drawing up of guidelines to support national authorities in developing their respective 
food safety strategies, incorporating new approa ches in Food Safety within FAO/WHO and the 
European Commission;  (c) strengthening intersector al collaboration between the Ministries of Health 
and Agriculture to promote food safety;  and (d) providing a platform for discussion on how to better coordinate current capacity building initiatives in food safety with other international agencies.  
125. FAO and the Hungarian Food Safety Office in cooperation with the Ministry of Agriculture 
and Regional Development of Hungary held an "International Workshop on the Development of 
National Food Safety Strategies " in Budapest, Hungary, from 6-8 September 2004.  The workshop 
was held to:  (a) review responses to the F ood Strategy Evaluation Questionnaire to provide 
information on country experiences, obstacles a nd progress related to the development of their 
national food safety strategies;  (b) provide guidance to  participants through expert lecturers, technical 
material and discussions on the development of  food safety strategies regarding accessibility 
requirements; the role of food technology in food safety;  how the HACCP system works in practice; 
the role of Codex standards and National Codex Committees in strengt hening food safety; in a Food 
Safety Office; risk assessment; the EU Rapid Al ert System; approaches to food safety such as the 
whole food chain approach; and, an update on the development of the World Food Safety Internet 
Portal;  (c) provide on-site demons trations of the HACCP system in food processing plants and retail 
establishments;  the daily operation of HFSO and approaches to improve involvement of consumer 
organizations in food safety issues;  (d) identify activities in which Central and Eastern European 
countries, FAO and the expert community can cooper ate in ensuring that the recommendations of the 
Pan-European Conference on Food Safety (PEC) and Quality, endorsed by the 23rd and 24th FAO 
Regional Conference for Europe, are followed-up/implemented.  
Regional Projects 
126. An FAO project on Sub-regional Training on Meat Inspection and Meat Technology  for 
Albania, Croatia, Czech Republic, Slovakia and Sl ovenia was approved in October 2000.  The overall 
objective of this project is to enable increased mark et access for the participating countries to lucrative 
meat and meat product markets.  This will be accomplished by improving national capacities for the 
production of higher quality and quantity meat an d meat products, which meet European Union 
standards.  A core of 30 persons trained as trainers  will carry out national training in meat inspection 
and relevant technology including the HACCP sy stem.  Each country will develop a training 
programme and plan of action for improving the standa rds of the meat sector.  A final workshop will G/SPS/GEN/525 
Page 22  
 
 provide both a forum and a mechanism for discussi ng a co-ordinated regional approach for access to 
the broader European Market. 
127. The WHO Food Safety Programme in Europe has been assisting member states in the 
development of National Food Safety Strategies
 within the framework of the development of the Food 
and Nutrition Policy and Action Plans in Europe, wh ich integrates a food safety strategy, a nutrition 
strategy and a sustainable food supply strategy. 
128. The WHO Food Safety Strategy in Europe ai ms to develop and strengthen National Food 
Safety Programmes through the development of modern food legislation, strengthening of 
surveillance of foodborne disease and monitoring of food contamination for the provision of data for 
risk assessment, and the promotion of risk based food control systems. 
129. The WHO Nutrition, Food Security and Food Safety European Programmes have prepared 
the book " Food and Health a Basis for Action in Europe " which promotes the development of food 
and nutrition policies which protect and promot e health and reduce the burden of food related 
diseases, while contributing to socioeconomic development and a sustainable environment http://www.euro.who.int/eprise/main/WHO/Progs/FOS/Home
. 
130. The WHO Regional Office for Europe is implemen ting a project to "Strengthen Food Safety 
and Nutrition Services in South Eastern Europe (SEE)" in the framework of the Stability Pact 
Initiative for Social Cohesion in the Balkans. Be neficiary countries include Albania, Bosnia & 
Hercegovina, Bulgaria, Croatia, the Former Yugos lav Republic of Macedonia, Romania, Moldova & 
Serbia and Montenegro.  A sub-regional workshop for the development of Food Safety Policy and 
Legislation for the SEE was organized by the WHO Food Safety Programme in Europe in 
collaboration with FAO and the Food Safety Auth ority of Ireland (FSAI) am ong others in Belgrade, 
Serbia and Montenegro 2003.  As a follow up ther e have been organized several activities for the 
countries in SEE in collaboration with the FSAI such a study tour to the Authority in 2003, and the 
organization of a satellite panel for SEE within th e Conference on Food Control organized by FSAI in 
Dublin 2004.   
131. The WHO Food Safety Programme in Europe completed in 2003 a multi-country public 
health initiative for training Food Safety Officers of the Central Asiatic Republics  in collaboration 
with the Kazakhstan School of Public Health and other international organizations and agencies 
including FAO and CDC among others.  Five traini ng modules have been organized on this project: 
food policy and legislation, surveillance and epidem iology of foodborne diseases, microbiological and 
chemical contamination monitoring on foods and HACCP  as a tool for risk management.  Basic texts 
and standards of the FAO/WHO Codex Alimentarius Commission are being translated into Russian in 
order to enhance regional food safety legislation. 
132. The WHO Surveillance Programme for Control of  Foodborne Diseases in Europe published, 
in 2003, the web version of 8th Report of  the Surveillance Programme in Europe:  
http://www.euro.who.int/eprise/main/WHO/Progs/FOS/Surveillance/20031127_1 .  The WHO 
Surveillance Programme has been publishing quarterly  Newsletters in English and Russian which are 
distributed to more than 1500 institutions.  Th e FAO/WHO Collaborating Center for Research and 
Training in Food Hygiene and Zoonoses in Berlin  has organized the 5th World Congress Foodborne 
Infections and Intoxications.  A first-level course of the WHO Gl obal Salmonella Surveillance (GSS) 
network was organized for ten Russian speaking coun tries in the Russian Federation in 2003, and the 
third-level course of the WHO GSS was organized for eighteen Central, Eastern and South Eastern 
countries in Poland in 2004.  A second-level course is being organized for these countries in Saint 
Petersburg this year.   G/SPS/GEN/525 
 Page 23 
 
 
 133. The Global Environmental Monitoring Systems for Food Contamination Programme in 
Europe organized a training for the Baltic countries in 2003, on the preparati on of databases on food 
contaminants and specific training on the Operational Programmes for Analytical Laboratories for electronic submission of data to GEMS/Food.  Eur opean data on exposure a nd intake of chemical 
food contaminants have been published online at the Summary Information on Global Health Trends 
(SIGHT) database:  www.euro.who.int/eprise/main/WHO/Progs/FOS/Chemical/20040728_1
 
134. The WHO Food Safety Programme in Europe h as been collaborating with the Joint Research 
Centre (JRC) of the European Commission in th e organization of courses on the detection of 
Genetically modified organisms (GMOs) in food and in the publication of a manual for the Analysis 
of Food Samples for the Presence of  Genetically Modified Organisms: 
http://www.euro.who.int/eprise/main/WHO/Progs/FOS/Assistance/20020417_1  
NATIONAL ACTIVITIES  
Field Projects 
 
135. An FAO TCP project to improve the dive rsification of value-added production and 
certification in environmental farming systems in  Croatia was approved in April 2003, and is 
scheduled for completion in late 2004.  The project is being jointly facilitate d by the Food Quality and 
Standards Service and the Environment and Natural Resources Service of FAO.   
136. An FAO TCP project to strengthen the Food Quality and Safety System of Turkey was 
approved in April 2003, and is schedul ed to be completed in late 2004.  
137. The WHO Food Safety Programme in Europe provided technical assistance to Tajikistan on 
the prevention of major foodborne diseases and on mi crobiological contamination monitoring of food 
and water.   
UPCOMING ACTIVITIES /PROJECTS  
 
138. There are a number of projects currently in the formulation and approval phases:   
139. The government of Azerbaijan  has requested technical assistance from FAO in the area of 
food safety. A proposal is now under consideration.  
140. The government of Bulgaria  has requested to the Ministry of Agriculture of the Netherlands 
to establish a food safety training centre for food inspectors, laboratory staff and food industry experts.  This project may be implemented by FAO and funded by the government of the Netherlands.   
141. A regional project to improve food safety in Armenia
 and Georgia  is being developed by 
FAO at the request of these two national governments.   
142. The government of Croatia  has requested FAO assistance in strengthening Codex activities in 
that country.  A project formulation mission is planned for 2004.   
143. Requests for technical assistance have b een received by FAO from the governments of 
Albania , Bulgaria , Croatia , Macedonia , Moldova  and Romania .  A project with the title 
"Strengthening food safety in South East European countries – a regional approach to food legislation 
and control" is being prepared.  The project plan s to convene several workshops to assist in the 
development of national food safety policies, in cluding inspection, control and legislation.  
Additionally, two training courses are planned to trai n food inspectors in modern approaches to food 
inspection and food industry experts in food hygiene (HACCP, GMP).  G/SPS/GEN/525 
Page 24  
 
 144. The government of Serbia and Montenegro
 requested technical assistance from FAO to assess 
the food safety situation in this country.  After the initial project formula tion mission, substantial 
changes in the governmental and institutional stru cture of the country took place, which has made 
follow-up activities very difficult to undertake as th e relevant persons had changed positions or 
employment.  A project proposal has been prep ared, but needs to be endorsed by the present 
government. 
145. After becoming a member of FAO in December 2003, the government of the Ukraine  
requested in technical assistance from FAO to improve  the laboratories of saf ety and quality of food 
and agricultural products.  A project formulation miss ion to the Ukraine was undertaken in July 2004, 
and a project proposal is in the final stages of approval.   
146. In September 2003, an informal request by a food control laboratory in Hungary  near the 
border to Romania  and Serbia  has been sent to the FAO for techni cal assistance to enlarge the existing 
Hungarian lab to service Romania and Serbia as well.  The food safety officer of the sub-regional FAO Office in Budapest, Hungary will consider this request with the Hungarian authorities. 
147. Biannual Collaborative Agreements to develop National Food Safety Strategies have been 
signed between the WHO Regional Office for Europe  and the Ministries of Health of Albania, 
Bulgaria, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Croatia, Former  Yugoslavian Republic of Macedonia, Georgia, 
Russian Federation, Serbia and Montenegro, Russian  Federation and Uzbekistan for the period 2004-
2005. 
148. The WHO Food Safety Programme in Europe will continue the implementation of the project 
to "Strengthen Food Safety and Nutrition Services in  South Eastern Europe (SEE)" in the framework 
of the Stability Pact Initiative for Social Cohesion in the Balkans. 
B. C
APACITY BUILDING ACTIVITIES IN LATIN AMERICA AND THE CARIBBEAN  
REGIONAL ACTIVITIES  
 Regional Workshops 
 
149. FAO/ESNS and the Pan-American Health Orga nization (PAHO) implemented a workshop on 
Food Control Systems immediately prior to the 14th CCLAC meeting on 28 November 2004 in Buenos Aires, Argentina.  More inform ation on the workshop can be found at: 
ww.fao.org/es/ESN/food/capacity_workshops2004_en.stm
 
150. FAO, along with PAHO and the Instituto Panamericano de Protección de Alimentos 
(INPPAZ), the Caribbean Epidemiology Centre  (CAREC), and the Caribbean Community 
 (CARICOM) implemented a Regional Inter-Agenc y Workshop for Strengthening and Co-ordination 
of Food-borne Disease Surveillance in Support of Fo od Safety Programmes in the Caribbean in Port 
of Spain, Trinidad & Tobago from 20 to 23 June, 2004. 
151. A workshop on Food Control Systems: Practical Approaches for the Andean region  was 
implemented in March 2004 by FAO(ESNS)/WHO, in collaboration with ILSI.  Thirty-two 
participants attended the workshop held in Qu ito, Ecuador.  Presentations were given by 
representatives of FAO, PAHO, the Food Safety Aut hority of Ireland, and local examples of food 
control systems.  More informati on on the workshop is available from: 
www.fao.org/es/ESN/food/capac ity_workshops2004_en.stm  
152. FAO and PAHO implemented a workshop on Food Labelling  in February 2004, in 
collaboration with the National Nutrition Centre of Barbados and the Barbados National Bureau of  G/SPS/GEN/525 
 Page 25 
 
 
 Standards, with forty-two  pers ons participating. Presentations were given by representatives of FAO 
and PAHO. 
153. FAO/ESNS, in collaboration with the Centro N acional de Sanidad Agropecuaria (CENSA), 
facilitated a workshop on the application of the HA CCP system for mycotoxin prevention and control  
for Latin American and Caribbean countries from 22-23 September, 2003, in Havana, Cuba.  The 
workshop was held immediately prior to the IV La tin American Society for Mycotoxicology (SLAM) 
Congress.  More information on the workshop is available from:  www.fao.org/es/ESN/food/cap acity_workshops2003_en.stm
   
FAO Regional Projects 
154. An FAO regional project (TCP/RLA/2904) to st rengthen the management of National Codex 
Committees and Application of the Codex Alimenta rius standards of the Andean Countries was 
initiated in September of  2002, and will continue until December 2004.  Bolivia , Colombia , Ecuador , 
Peru and Venezuela  are participating in this project.  The main objectives are to strengthen the 
management of the National C odex Committees; to develop a na tional and sub-regional training 
programme and to promote the harmonisation of th e national standards to Codex.  At present, the 
objectives are being met through 13 National Semina rs on Codex (2 per country), 7 sub-regional 
workshops and 35 national workshops (7 per country) have been carried out with 983 persons trained 
and 148 established as trainers.  The web sites of the 5 national Codex Committees will be created in 
each country to disseminate relevant information to governments and to other stakeholders.  A 
comparative analysis between the national regulatio ns and Codex standards was carried out in each 
country with the purpose of promoting their harmon ization or equivalence.  The complete project, 
including objectives and activities w ith the corresponding reports and documents, is available at: 
www.rlc.fao.org/prior/comagr ic/codex/rla2904/default.htm  
155. An FAO regional project (TCP/RLA/0177) to evaluate and strengthen the prevention systems 
for Bovine Spongiform Encephalopathy (BSE) a nd the feed quality control system began in 
January 2002 and finished in May 2004 in the countries of Argentina , Bolivia , Brazil , Chile , 
Colombia , Mexico , Paraguay , Peru  and Uruguay .  The project promotes capacity building in food 
quality and safety at regional level in South America.  The activities of the project were designed to 
help ensure the quality and safety of the bovine me at produced both for national consumption and for 
international trade, ensuring that all beef produ ced is free from BSE.  The project covered the 
organization of study tours on laboratory diagnosis,  epidemiological surveillance, and three regional 
courses related to legal aspects, development of me dia communications and elaboration of the Manual 
on Quality Control on Animal Feeding, as well as a publication with all the scientific-technological 
information carried out by the Project.  More in formation on the project is available at:   
http://www.rlc.fao.org/prior/segalim/animal/eeb/  
156. An FAO regional project (TCP/RLA/2914) to  promote the development and good use of 
South American camelids breeding in Argentina , Bolivia , Chile , Ecuador  and Peru .  The project 
began on October 2003, and will end March 2005.  It promotes capacity building in food quality and 
safety at regional level in South America.  One of the main components of the project is the establishment of the elaboration of meat products at  a low cost and under ade quate sanitary conditions 
with camelids meat and consumption promotion. 
157. An FAO project to assist countries with trade
 was initiated in September 2001, as part of the 
Regional Special Programme for Food Security (RS PFS) for the Caribbean.  The specific objective of 
this TCP assistance is to formulate a trade facilitation project as a component of the Regional Special 
Programme for Food Security (RSPFS) for the Caribbean .  Particular attention will be given to food 
quality and safety standards; trade and commod ity development programmes; transitory and 
compensatory measures relating to the present trading environment, and capacity building required for G/SPS/GEN/525 
Page 26  
 
 effective participation in multilateral trade negotiati ons.  Specific elements of trade facilitation within 
the overall framework of RSPFS include, upgrading F ood Quality and Safety Standards, promoting 
intra-regional trade in agriculture, raising the competitiveness of agricultural commodities (both 
import and export) and increasing national capacity to  participate effectively in multilateral trade 
negotiations on agriculture . 
Other Regional Activities 
158. The Inter American Network of Food Analysis Laboratories (INFAL
), with secretariat 
ex officio  by (PAHO/INPPAZ) and the FAO Regional Office for Latin America and the Caribbean, is 
conducting a survey of laboratories.  INFAL´s Sec ond Assembly was carried out in Cancun, Mexico 
(11-13 June 2003).  During the meeting some modifi cations of bylaws were approved;  members of 
the Executive Committee were elected;  the evaluation of the laboratories' survey and the results of 
the inter-laboratory tests were presented;  and the Plan of Action for the period 2003-2005 was also 
established.   
159. With FAO's support, the Latin American Food Composition Network (LATINFOODS ) 
continued working on the update of the Regional Food Composition Table which is available from: 
www.fao.org/Regional/LAmerica/bases/alimento/default.htm .  A CD-ROM with this Table was 
published and distributed.  An FAO/SLAN/LATI NFOODS workshop on the Importance of Food 
Composition in Food Security and Trade and a FAO/  LATINFOODS Meeting was held in Acapulco, 
Mexico, on 10 November, during the 13th Latin Amer ican Congress of Nutrition.  In this meeting, the 
Regional Work Plan on Food Composition was a pproved.  This report is available at:  
http://www.inta.cl/latinfoods/informes y publicaciones.html .  The Second Electronic Conference on 
Food Data Quality Evaluation for Data Base and Food Chemical Composition Table was carried in 
October 2004, ( http://www.rlc.fao.org/foro/latinfoods/default.htm ) 
NATIONAL ACTIVITIES  
Workshops and Seminars 
160. FAO provided assistance to the Government of Chile , General Secretariat of the Presidency 
and the Dirección Multilateral, Ministry of Foreign A ffairs, in modernizing their food control system.  
A seminar and working sessions were  held with local authorities from the ministries and institutes 
responsible for food control activities in the country in relation to the reform process currently being 
undertaken to update and unify the food and agricu ltural sectors. Over 30 participants attended the 
Seminar from the Presidency, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the National Codex Committee, 
Ministries of Agriculture, Health, Trade, Industry,  Consumer organizations, and Universities.  The 
main topics of the discussions were key issues in the transition to a modern food control system, 
including legislation, management, inspection, labo ratories, co-ordination of activities and policies, 
economic feasibility and trade impact.  The FAO/ WHO recently updated Guidelines for Food Control 
Systems were discussed.  Presentations were al so given on modern food control systems with 
practical examples and case studies from countries w ith similar agriculture-based economies in the 
process of modernising into a unified system.  
161. The FAO Sub-Regional Office for the Caribbean  has provided technical assistance to the 
Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development of Barbados  through the Government Analytical 
Service (GAS).  The technical support assisted in developing a comprehensive quality assurance system for food analysis laboratories, which will contribute to increased export of food and ensuring safety of the domestic supply. 
162. In addition, numerous conferences were given by FAO's technical officers at regional and 
national meetings.  G/SPS/GEN/525 
 Page 27 
 
 
 Field Projects 
163. An FAO TCP project was recently approved to provide training for prevention of OTA in 
coffee in Ecuador.   The project will be implemented in th e upcoming months with ESNS as the lead 
technical unit. 
164. An FAO TCP project to improve the quality and safety of spices produced in Grenada  was 
approved in March 2004, with in itial activities currently on-going. 
165. An FAO project designed to strengthen the Food Control System in Guyana  began in 
May 2002, and will continue throug h 2004.  The project assists the Government in upgrading the food 
law and harmonizing national food sta ndards with international standards.  Efficiency of the food 
inspection system will be improved in order to facilitate compliance with the WTO Agreements on 
SPS and TBT.  The analytical capabilities of the Government food cont rol laboratory will be 
upgraded, to ensure the monitoring of food cont aminants and permit the certification of exported 
products.  The capability of the Guyana National Bureau of Standards (GNBS) and the National 
Codex Committee will be strengthened,  facilitating more active and eff ective national participation in 
Codex work.  The successful accomplishment of the pr oject should produce a coherent food control 
system with efficient utilisation of resource s and operations compliant with international 
requirements.  The laboratory will be upgraded a nd personnel trained to expe dite product testing and 
certification.  Codex contact point will be strengt hened to allow for improved involvement in Codex 
work, with national interests protected and adequate  representation in the international arena.  The 
National Legal Consultant will be tr ained in legislative drafting and will therefore be able to assist in 
later preparation of regulations and standards. 
166. An FAO/ESNS project to strengthen the food control system of Haiti  began in July 2002, and 
was completed in 2003.  This was a second phase pr oject following up on an 18 month project to 
reinforce national food control capacity.  The main activities of this project included drafting of food 
law and basic regulations in accordance with Co dex Guidelines, creation of a National Codex 
Committee, training of food inspector trainers, trai ning of laboratory personne l and provision of basic 
laboratory equipment. 
167. FAO/SLAC has been assisting in the Estab lishment of a National Codex Committee in 
Jamaica  and will assist the Jamaica Bureau of Standards in preparing its Plan of Action for the Codex 
National Committee. 
168. An FAO project to strengthen the National Codex Committee in Paraguay  (TCP/PAR/2801) 
began operations in October 2002, and was comple ted in July 2004.  The main objectives of the 
project were to support the work of the Nationa l Codex Committee and Codex focal point, to establish 
linkages between government sectors, industry and consumers, develop an action plan to update 
national food standards in harmony  with Codex guidelines and to establish a web site for exchange of 
information on Codex.  The project achieved th ese objectives through 6 National Seminars on Codex 
and 6 national workshops that have been carried out with 182 persons trained.  A Work Plan 2004-
2005 for the  Focal Point and National Codex Comm ittee was prepared as follo w-up of the project, as 
well as plans of actions to harmonize the national f ood standards with Codex, to establish a national 
system for chemicals contaminants in foods, and to  modernize the national food control system.   
More information can be obtained from: http://www.rlc.fao.org/prior/coma gric/codex/par2801/default.htm
 
169. An eighteen-month FAO project to strengthen the food control system of Suriname  began in 
May 2002 and is continued through early 2004.  Th e main objective of the project was to strengthen 
the National Food Control System through providing training, upgrading laboratory facilities and supporting the functioning of the National Codex Committee and its Working Groups.  The expected G/SPS/GEN/525 
Page 28  
 
 project outputs were amended na tional food laws, regulations a nd standards which comply with 
international guidelines, improved food inspectio n service which applies modern quality assurance 
and HAACP principles, improved laboratory facilities capable of contamination monitoring in primary agricultural products and processed foods a nd a plan of action on food safety, conforming to 
Codex Commission recommendations. 
170. An FAO project designed to strengthen the Na tional Codex Committee of Uruguay began in 
2001 and was completed in early 2003.  The main obj ective of this project was to improve national 
and local capacity of the Codex Committee, by  enhancing the decision making structure and 
encouraging greater participation from government officials, industry and other stakeholders in 
National Codex activities.  The outcome of this proj ect is a stronger Codex Committee able to inform 
and advise the state and civil society in matters related to Codex.  
171. An FAO/ESNS project was funded to provide emergency technical assistance to the 
Government of Uruguay
 in evaluating Fusarium  contamination of grains.  A large part of the 2002 
wheat crop was infected with Fusarium , a mould species that produces the mycotoxin deoxynivalenol 
(DON) which can have both short term and long term  detrimental effects on human and animal health.   
Immediate assistance was provided by FAO and em ergency legislation was passed limiting the DON 
content in human foods and animal feed.  The project was expanded into longer-term technical 
assistance (mid 2002-early 2004) which established adequate controls in the supply chain and 
formulated future prevention and control strategies.   It included a study mission, extensive training 
activities in GAP, GMP and HACCP for mycotoxin prevention and control, an integrated national action plan, rapid detection methods and laborator y strengthening, the establishment of a DON rapid 
alert forecasting system and a crop information network.  
U
PCOMING ACTIVITIES /PROJECTS  
Field Projects 
172. Two FAO sub-regional projects requesting assistance for strengthening the analytical 
activities, laboratory quality assurance and capacity building of the Interamerican Network of Food 
Analytical Laboratories (INFAL/ RILAA ) have been re-drafted and are in the final stages of approval. 
173. The Government of Argentina  has requested assistance from FAO for an Integrated Program 
for Mycotoxin Prevention and Control.  The project is in the formulation phase.    
174. A regional project for capacity building in  Latin American consumer organizations  is being 
prepared by FAO and Consumers International- Latin American Regional Office. 
175. As a follow-up to the recommendations of the first Global Forum of Food Safety Regulators 
and in line with the 123rd FAO Council's instructions, FAO/ESN S and WHO have sought the views of 
the countries of each region on the interest in c onvening other regional food safety conferences.  At 
the request of the Codex Coordinating Committee fo r Latin America and the Caribbean, preparations 
are underway for a Regional Conference on Food Safety for Latin America and the Caribbean .  A 
preliminary meeting with the delegates of the region to the 27th Codex Alimentarius Commission 
Meeting was held on 2 July 2004, to initiate discu ssions on the themes of the conference and other 
logistical and technical details.  Further pl anning will occur in the upcoming months.   
C. CAPACITY BUILDING ACTIVITIES IN THE NEAR EAST 
REGIONAL ACTIVITIES  
 
176. The agenda for 2004 FAO Regional Conferen ce for the Near East (Doha, Qatar, 13-
17 March 2004) included an item on Food Safety and International Trade .  The discussion paper for  G/SPS/GEN/525 
 Page 29 
 
 
 this item was reviewed by a group of experts from th e Near East Region and includes a plan of action 
for enhancing food safety and trade in the region.  The document is available from the ESNS website 
at:  www.fao.org/es/ESN/food/meetings_neareast_en.stm  
Regional Workshops 
177. FAO held a regional workshop on Food and Feed Safety  in Tunis, Tunisia on 
20 September 2004, which focused on Good Practices fo r the Poultry Sector in Northern Africa and 
addressed issues such as the application of good prac tices in the production of poultry feed.  A similar 
workshop is being planned to be held in Cairo in 2004/2005.   
178. FAO implemented a workshop for countries of  the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) from 14-
15 September 2004 in Rome, Italy, on modern bi otechnology and its application in food and 
agriculture.  The focus of the workshop was on food safety and related regulati ons in the area of foods 
derived from modern biotechnology.  The workshop  was intended to provide a platform for the 
member states of the GCC to discuss a common regu latory framework for genetically modified foods 
within the GCC region.  More information on the workshop is available from:  www.fao.org/es/ESN/food/capac ity_workshops2004_en.stm 
 
179. In July 2003, FAO and WHO organised a Regional Training Workshop on Microbiological 
Risk Assessment (MRA)  in Cairo for the countries of Near East.  The objectives of the training 
Workshop were to:  introduce MRA and its benef its to various stakeholders (government, academia, 
industry) and its use as a tool to improve risk management;  and to identify challenges to the 
implementation of MRA and risk management in the participating member states.  More information 
on this workshop is available from:  www.fao.org/es/ESN/food/capacity_workshops2003_en.stm   
WHO Regional Plan of Action  
180. The Regional Plan of Action, which was adopted by the Regional Committee in 
October 1999, was subsequently launche d in the WHO Regional Workshop on New Challenges in 
Food Safety :  The Regional Action Plan , Dubai, United Arab Emirates, 5-7 December 1999.  The plan 
stipulates that all food safety efforts should be based upon a thorough review of the food safety 
situation, and most member states have actually  initiated this review, either as part of the 
implementation of the joint work plan with EMRO or independently thereof.  
181. Food safety country profiles have been prepared, based on the EMR Food safety 
questionnaire, for most of the countries.  This ques tionnaire, which has been circulated to all member 
states, collects information on all aspects pertaining to food safety, be they directly or indirectly.  A completed profile will be a strong t ool to define gaps and areas for increased collaboration between all 
involved partners and to set strategies for the futu re.  One other important factor mentioned in the 
Regional Action plan is the (re-) establishment of na tional food safety committees, in the light of the 
fact that food safety is a multisectoral, inter-minister ial are of work that requires strong collaboration, 
co-ordination and communication.   
182. A WHO inter-country meeting on 'Promotion of Food Safety: Regional Food Safety Network'  
was organised in Jordan, on 31 October and 1 N ovember 2001.  In this meeting, 12 countries 
presented a country paper based on the food safety questionnaire.  All the presentations were unanimous in the recommendations that there is an urgent need for a network in the region that can 
provide a forum for informal peer discussion on f ood safety related issues such as:  outbreaks; 
rejected and recalled foods;  harmonisation of pr ocedures (import and export, sampling and testing 
methods, inspection and training);  exchange of  information on development of food safety 
programmes and research;  risk analysis data and tools;  food control systems, programmes, and 
events;  global events of importance to the forum.  G/SPS/GEN/525 
Page 30  
 
 183. This network was subsequently established by WHO/EMRO under the title 'Regional Food 
Safety Network'  in November 2001.  The meeting also observe d that with the data presently available, 
the calculation of food-borne burden of disease is not feasible.  Ongoing WHO research on the burden of disease should incorporate food borne diseases as a determinant for the global burden of disease.  
Furthermore, systems of (food borne) disease surv eillance in the Region were discussed and it was 
stated that a thorough assessment of surveillance systems as well as existing data was urgently 
required. 
184. A WHO/EMRO Regional Consultation on Food Borne Disease Surveillance  was convened in 
EMRO, from 18-20 December 2001.  Within the framework of the WHO Global Salmonella Surveillance Program, in short GSS or Global Sa lm-Surv, WHO/EMRO collaborated with WHO/HQ, 
CDC Atlanta and the Danish Veterinary Institute in  order to organise a regional training course on 
Surveillance of Salmonella and Anti-microbial Resistance in food borne Pathogens.  
185. A WHO training course on Food Borne Disease Su rveillance was held from 23-27 June 2002 
in the Jordan University of Science and Technol ogy in Irbid, Jordan.  WHO/FAO training workshop 
on Microbiological Risk Assessment was held In Cairo-Egypt from 23-25 July 2003. 
186. As a direct result of both the consultation and the training course, a special study into the 
burden of food borne diseases  will be undertaken in Jordan with the assistance of WHO, CDC, the 
Jordanian authorities and some possible other partne rs.  The first preparatory meeting was organized 
in Jordan in October 2002. 
187. A manual on ' Developing food legislation, guidelines for developing food legislation for food 
control systems in countries of the Eastern Mediterranean ' is being prepared, in order to serve as a 
guiding document.  WHO/EMRO Centre for Environmental Health Activities (CEHA) had 
implemented three WHO/AGFUND Regional Proj ects on HACCP, Food irradiation and lead 
poisoning in nine countries of the Region in 2002.  The Capacity building of private agencies for implementing HACCP in Food Safety, and food irradiation training programme will continue 
2003/04. 
N
ATIONAL ACTIVITIES  
Field Projects 
188. Through continuous feedback and support, various WHO member states have been assisted in 
their efforts to improve the national food control systems.  Country profiles and food safety strategies have been prepared, or are being prepared, in a number of countries, and revision of existing or drafting of new food legislation is under way either  independently of this process or as a component 
thereof.  For example one member state, throug h a consensus building exer cise of jointly drafting 
food legislation, the health and agricultural authoriti es have finalised the draft legislation that is now 
ready for presentation to the Cabinet.  One other member state published its new legislation, which 
became effective in early 2002.  
189. An FAO project to assist the Government of Algeria
 in the strengthening of a national Codex 
Committee was approved in May 2004 and is sche duled to be completed in April 2005.   
190. An FAO project to support the Management and Control of Pesticides, Animal Drug and 
Chemical Residues in Foodstuffs was initiated in Iran, in August 2000, with a second phase started in 
2002.  The objective of the project is to promote the application of Good Agricultural Practices in the 
use of pesticides and Good Animal Husbandry Pr actices (GAHP) in the use of prescribed animal 
drugs and to enhance the government's capabilitie s in the monitoring and control of residues 
(pesticides, animal drugs and other chemical residu es) in foodstuffs.  The project aims to ensure 
maximum consumer protection and promote interna tional trade in foodstuffs.  The objectives of the  G/SPS/GEN/525 
 Page 31 
 
 
 project are met through a series of training activities concerning GAHP for livestock extension 
officers and Good Agricultural Practices for agricu ltural extension officers, improvements in the 
capability of national laboratories to detect pes ticide and veterinary drug residues in foods and 
establishment of National Maximum Residue Limits  which take into account Codex recommendations 
on these matters.  A framework for a national monitoring and control programme of pesticide and 
drug residues in foodstuffs will also be established. 
191. An FAO TCP project to assist in the Analysis, Control and Management of Mycotoxins in 
Foodstuffs was initiated in Iran  in April 2003, and is scheduled to be completed in September 2004.   
192. An FAO project to support the creation of a harmonised food control system based on risk 
analysis principles began in Morocco  in January 2002 and was completed in February 2004.  The 
overall goal of the project was to improve the food  control system through enhanced quality control 
measures and harmonisation of tasks between th e different Moroccan agencies involved in food 
control.  The objectives of the project was met thr ough visits to Morocco by international consultants 
working with local authorities that drew up a proposal to reorganise the food control system, study tours for Moroccan officials who visited countries with strong food control systems and workshops 
for government officials, research institutions and consumer groups responsib le for food control. 
193. An FAO project to strengthen the Nationa l Codex Committee and update/harmonize food 
standards and regulations began in Syria
 in November 2002, and will con tinue through late 2004.  The 
objective of the assistance is to strengthen the cap acity of the Syrian National Codex Committee to 
effectively serve as an advisory body to the gove rnment on national food control matters and, in the 
process, harmonise Syrian food standards and regu lations with the CAC requirements as well as 
update and consolidate older food regulations.  The ultimate aim is to enhance the Government 
capacity to improve the level of national standards in  conformity with international trade requirements 
194. An FAO project to Strengthen National Food Inspection Systems and Establish a National 
Codex Committee in Yemen  was approved in early 2004, and will continue through 2005.   
UPCOMING ACTIVITIES /PROJECTS  
 195. There are many FAO projects in the both the formulation and approval phases.   
196. The Government of Afghanistan
 has requested advice on food control activities.  The project 
is currently in the formulation stage.   
197. 197. The Government of Egypt  has requested assistance in Strengthening Qu ality Control 
Systems for Cereals and Groundnuts.  Th e request is in the review stage. 
198. 198. The Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) Countries  have requested assistance from FAO 
in establishing a regional risk assessment body and in reorganizing the food control system.  The 
projects are currently in the formulation stage.   
199. The Government of Morocco  has requested assistance in the area of consumer affairs and 
food safety.  The project is currently in the review phase.   
200. The Government of Qatar  has requested assistance in improving Quality Control and 
Standards.  The project is in the final formulation stages.   G/SPS/GEN/525 
Page 32  
 
 D. C
APACITY BUILDING ACTIVITIES IN THE SOUTH WEST PACIFIC  
201. In an effort to facilitate the discussion of practical actions and capacity building 
recommendations to promote food safety in the countries of the Asian and Pacific region, FAO and WHO convened a Regional Conference on Food Safety for Asia and the Pacific
 in Seremban, 
Malaysia from 24-27 May 2004.  This Conference is  the second in a series of regional meetings, the 
first of which was held in European Region in February 2002, that FAO and WHO are convening at 
the request of member countries to  meet their needs for policy guidance and capacity building in food 
safety.  The discussion papers and background informa tion on the Conference, in addition to the final 
report are available from the Conference website:  www.foodsafetyforum.org/asian/index_en.asp  and 
will be available in bound copies in due course.   
202. In an effort to strengthen food safety in the Pacific, the "Future Action on Food Safety in the 
Pacific:  a WHO/FAO/SPC Meeting " was conducted from 28-31 May 2004 in Seremban, Malyasia 
with 21 temporary advisers drawn from many of th e Pacific island countries as well as experts from 
elsewhere.  This meeting devel oped guidance to Pacific island countries on mechanisms, based upon a 
sharing of resources and expertise, that can be app lied to:  (i) develop food safety laws, regulations 
and standards suitable to the Pacific and based on C odex;  (ii) obtain data on the contamination of 
food in the Pacific;  (iii) obtain data regarding fo odborne diseases in the Pacific;  and (iv) strengthen 
the competency of food inspector s in the Pacific.  The meeting was held in conjunction with the 
FAO/WHO Food Safety Conference for Asia and the Pacific.   
WHO  WPRO  REGIONAL ACTIVITIES  
 203. The importance of national food safety prog rammes founded on risk assessment or its 
elements (hazard identification, hazard char acterization, exposure assessment and risk 
characterization) is clearly identified in both th e WHO global and regional food safety strategies.  
Consequently, WHO WPRO strengthened the capacity  of its member states through support for 
targeted contaminant monitoring in Fiji on mercury in tuna; arsenic in drinking water, cadmium in 
taro and Salmonella in eggs and poultry products.  In addition, Papua New Guinea was provided 
technical expertise and other support to enable it to plan a food consumption survey as the basis for determining dietary exposure to hazards in food, a nd a trial survey period was initiated.  Also, in 
collaboration, with CDC, the Fiji School of Medicine  and the Ministry of Health, initial steps towards 
foodborne disease surveillance were taken in Fiji. 
204. As stated in the endorsed
2 Western Pacific Regional Strategy for Food Safety, policies, plans 
of action and legislation are key elements of an y effective national food safety programme.  WHO 
collaborated with Fiji on food legislation and as a consequence the Food Safety Act was approved by 
parliament in that country.   
205. As part of the process of enhancing th e sharing of food legislation information  in the Western 
Pacific, the legislation of several Pacific isla nd countries has been collected and collated on the 
website http://fsi.wpro.who.int .  To facilitate more effective en forcement, 16 import inspection and 
health personnel from eight Pacific island countri es (Cook Islands, Fiji, the Federated States of 
Micronesia, Kiribati, Palau, Papua New Guinea, So lomon Islands and Vanuatu) were trained in the 
use of the WHO web-based database and on import inspection planning and practices.  Countries, 
including Federated States of Micronesia and Tonga , were provided technical advice and supplies and 
equipment to strengthen their participation in th e work of Codex; and WHO WPRO finalized and 
distributed a reference manual on the Codex process for Pacific island countries.   
                                                      
2  Resolution WPR/RC52.R2, 52nd session of the Regional Committee.  G/SPS/GEN/525 
 Page 33 
 
 
 206. Also WHO supported the training of inspectors in the Solomon  Islands in order that they 
would be able to more effectively apply Hazar d Analysis and Critical Control Point (HACCP) 
principles in their inspections.  A web-based netw ork of trainers of food safety regulators was 
finalized and a forum initiated to identify core compet encies that need to be addressed in the training 
of food inspectors ( http://www.wpro.who.int/fsiguide/index.asp ).  In cooperation with the New 
Zealand Food Safety Authority, inspectors from Fi ji were trained in various aspects of food safety 
including Codex, HACCP and import inspection.  The competency of regulators was also enhanced through undergraduate training of Fiji regulators in New Zealand; training of inspectors from Kiribati 
at the Fiji School of Medicine;  training of Fiji insp ectors in relation to the new food legislation;  and 
training of inspectors in the Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands and the  Republic of the 
Marshall Islands. 
FAO-SAPA/RAP
 REGIONAL ACTIVITIES  
207. Based upon a request from the Government of Tonga , FAO SAPA organized an international 
consultancy to review the existing food control set  up and make proposals for appropriate alternative 
organizational structures for a "Food Division". 
208. The FAO sub-regional project for Strengthe ning Capacity Building in Codex, Food 
Regulation and International Food Standa rds Harmonisation involving the Cook Islands , Fiji , Samoa , 
Tonga  and Vanuatu  has conducted a 3-week training course on Food Regulation and Standards - Food 
Control and Quality Assurance and a 2-week course on Food Import and Export Inspection and 
Certification.  
209. The FAO sub-regional project on Strengthening Food Analytical Capabilities in the Pacific 
Region conducted two 1-week tr aining courses on basic food analysis and food contaminants for 
delegates from the project member countries Fiji , Samoa , Solomon Islands, Tonga and Vanuatu.  
UPCOMING ACTIVITIES /PROJECTS  
210. The Government of Malaysia has requested F AO assistance to facilitate a Regional Training 
Programme on Strengthening National Capacities on Ri sk Assessment and Tr aceability in the S eafood 
Trade for the South West Pacific Region .  The project is currently in  the formulation stage.  The 
Government of Tonga has requested FAO assistance for a project to develop an integrated National 
Food Control & Quality Assurance System for Tonga  in accordance with Codex, with emphasis on 
drafting appropriate Food Legisl ation, Regulations and Food St andards and training government 
officers to ensure proper implementation and enforcemen t.  The project is in the formulation stage.   
211. The FAO project on Strengthening Capacity Building in Codex is organising a sub-regional 
training course on Codex Information System  and Management of Codex Contact Point  due to be held 
in Apia, Samoa in the second half of 2004.  Th e project is also providing/upgrading essential 
equipment needed for information retrieval a nd distribution as well as the production of training 
material for the offices of the codex contact points to enable their effective operation. 
212. An FAO/ WHO project to Develop Food Standard s within a Risk Analysis Framework with 
pilot application in the low income countries of Asia and the Pacific  has been funded by the Standards 
and Trade Development Facility (STDF) in early 2 004.  Following final logistical for implementing 
the project, the project will be implemented with the assistance of Food Standards Australia New 
Zealand (FSANZ).   
213. Funding has been sought from the FAO/ Gove rnment of Japan Cooperative Framework to 
implement 2 projects to assist the low income countries of Asia and the Pacific .  The first proposal is 
to strengthen the availability of data from devel oping countries of the Asian region be utilized in 
conducting international food safety risk assessments.   The second project is to implement improved G/SPS/GEN/525 
Page 34  
 
 institutional frameworks for food safety management and control in the Least Developed Countries of 
Asia.   
214. WHO will focus its future efforts on enhanc ing food safety through a number of key 
strategies.  WHO will facilita te coordinated international  action and extend its partnership activities in 
food safety in the Region.  Key partners in this respect include national food safety authorities, FAO, 
SPC, Consumers International, deve lopment banks and aid agencies, as well as universities.  Attention 
will continue to be paid to st rengthening national capacity to deve lop policies, plans of action and 
legislation, to empowering member states to more effectively participate in the Codex standards development process and enabling them to establis h national standards consistent with Codex 
guidance.   
215. As surveillance is the basis fo r the formulation of national st rategies to reduce food-related 
risks, WHO will collaborate with member states to  strengthen their capacity to obtain, utilize and 
share reliable data on:  (i) foodborne diseases;  and (ii) food contamination.  This information will be 
used to apply to risk profiles and assessments and to  enhancing the capacity of countries to make risk-
based decisions regarding food safety.  Such data  and assessments will further serve as the basis for 
setting international standards and guidelines, and fo r national food regulations  or other initiatives.  
WHO will also work to ensure that  health authorities contribute effectively in the work of the Codex 
Alimentarius Commission in order to ensure that consumer health concerns are reflected in the 
priorities of the Commission.  To ensure that all those with due responsibility for food safety 
(including governments, industry and consumers) are able to effectively participate in efforts to 
ensure the safety of food and are able to r espond appropriately to outbreaks, emergencies and 
disasters, WHO will build risk communication capabilit y in its member states.  The Organization will 
encourage governments to review training of f ood inspectors and encourage member states to 
empower their enforcement officers through better traini ng.  member states will also be encouraged to 
work more collaboratively with both industry and co nsumers and health authorities will be supported 
so they can provide the public accurate and tim ely information in outbreaks and emergencies. 
 
__________