WORLD TRADE  
ORGANIZATION  G/SPS/GEN/938 
16 June 2009 
 (09-2921) 
Committee on Sanitary a nd Phytosanitary Measures Original:   English/ 
 French/  Spanish 
 
  
CAPACITY BUILDING FOR FOOD STANDARDS AND REGULATIONS 
(June 2009) 
 
Communication by the Codex Alimentarius Commission (Codex)
 
   The following communication, received on 8 June 2009, is being circulated at the request of the Codex
. 
 
_______________ 
 
 
I. INTRODUCTION 
1. During the past year various initiatives have been undertaken or continued by FAO and 
WHO, in collaboration with relevant part ner organizations and institutions, to: 
• further enhance the respective roles of the ag riculture and health sectors in ensuring the 
quality and safety of the food supply; 
• strengthen cooperation and collaboration between FAO and WHO and with other partners in 
the field of food safety and quality;  and  
• upgrade the capacity of developing member countries in food safety and food quality 
assurance and support their effective participation in Codex work. 
 
Information on the global capacity building activities of FAO and WHO in food safety and quality 
during the reporting period is provided below.  The regional and national activities of each region are 
provided in the attached Annexes 1-6.   
II. TECHNICAL ASSISTANCE - OVERVIEW 
2. FAO and WHO are engaged in a programme of technical assistance activities and projects at 
national, regional and internationa l levels.  The areas covered in clude strengthening food control 
systems, training of food control officials and tec hnical staff (food control managers, food inspectors, 
and food analysts), enhancement of food control laboratory capabilities, implementation of risk 
analysis and risk assessment of microbiological  hazards in food, support in establishing national 
Codex committees, policy advice and establishment of regulatory frameworks.  More information is 
available from:  http://www.fao.org/ag/agn/agns
.  FAO and WHO technical assistance activities are in 
support of the Codex Strategic Plan 2008 – 2013, in particular activities 1.7, 2.6 and 5.4.  G/SPS/GEN/938 
Page 2  
 
  III. SUPPORTING MATERIALS FOR CAPACITY BUILDING 
3. FAO and WHO are also engaged in the developm ent of a number of manuals, guidelines and 
training materials to facilitate the capacity building ef fort.  These materials are particularly relevant to 
policy makers responsible for strengthening food cont rol programmes.  Most are developed jointly, 
except for a few which are prepared  under specific field projects operated either by FAO or WHO.  
Information on some of the most recent publications is given below.  Other relevant publications are 
listed in Annex 7 of this document.  
• "Good hygienic practices in the preparation and sale of street foods in Africa - Tools for 
training" has been published in French; the English version is in preparation. 
• "Food Safety Risk Analysis: A guide for na tional food safety authorities" is now also 
available in French and Spanish.  An  accompanying CD-ROM comprising a slide 
presentation for training, related FAO and FAO training materials and risk analysis case 
studies is currently under finalization. 
• FAO began work on a CD-Rom based technical resource package on food hygiene and 
quality assurance.  The target audience for the resource packag e includes governmental and 
non-governmental organizations that  provide tr aining and other technical support to small 
and medium-scale businesses on programmes of food hygiene and quality assurance.  
• The FAO/WHO guidance document for government s on the application of HACCP, in small 
and less developed businesses (SLDBs) was finali zed.  The document is now available at 
http://www.fao.org/ag/agn/food/quality_haccp_en.stm
 and at:  
http://www.who.int/foodsafety/publications/ fs_management/haccp_sidbs/en/index.html ; as 
well as in a printed version in English, Fren ch and Spanish.  The guidelines are also being 
translated into Chinese.  
• FAO developed a standardized training package to  assist countries in implementing relevant 
Codex texts related to the food safety assessm ent of foods derived from recombinant-DNA 
plants.  This training package, entitled "G M food safety assessment: tools for trainers", 
contains both theory and practical examples of risk assessments of foods derived from 
modern biotechnology and a guide for training regulators.  The pre-publication copy is available and the publication including a CD with training materials is expected to be out in 
summer 2009.  
• FAO published a ‘Risk-Based Food Inspecti on Manual' which introduces a risk-based 
inspection approach and procedures for prim ary production operations and food processing 
establishments.  The publication is currently in English and Spanish.  The French version will 
be available shortly.  As part of this work  ‘Guidelines for risk-based fish inspection' which 
provides technical information to support fish inspection systems was published in English at 
the end of 2008.  French and Spanish versions are under preparation.  
• WHO/AFRO developed a Training Manual on Food  Safety Risk Analysis.  The document is 
being finalized in English and will be translat ed into French and Portuguese in due course. 
• FAO will publish a book on food labelling this  year in collaboration with Woodhead 
publishers (UK).  The book includes chapters on international legal c onsiderations, Codex, 
nutrition labelling, allergies and food labels, e nvironmental and social labels, organic food 
labels, ecolabelling and wild fisheries, geogr aphic origin and identification labels and 
labelling of genetically modified/engineered foods. 
• FAO and WHO are developing food safety emergency response guidelines to 
assist member countries to both prepare for and manage such emergencies.  In addition, a 
series of subject specific guidelines on food recalls, food complaint systems, risk  G/SPS/GEN/938 
 Page 3 
 
 
  communication during food safety emergencies  a nd risk assessment and risk management for 
urgent food safety events are being devel oped to provide more detailed guidance on these 
important aspects of food safety emergency preparedness, alert and response.  
• WHO, FAO, in collaboration with OIE and the Industry Council for Development (ICD), held 
a round table discussion at FAO headquarters from 10 to 11 September 2008 to discuss the 
global needs for capacity building in food safet y, water and nutrition through training and 
education.  The main focus of the meeti ng was to discuss enhanced cooperation among 
partners from private and public sectors to  further improve activities and information 
disseminated through training and education initia tives in the field of food safety, water safety 
and nutrition.  Within the framework of this partnership, FAO/WHO and ICD are 1.  Developing practical training materials on ri sk analysis for food safety practitioners; 
2.Developing briefing material for decision-ma kers on the subjects of food safety, water and 
nutrition) and 3.  Reviewing means of enhancing public/priva te partnership through the 
convening of a Round Table on this topic w ith tentative dates of February 2010. 
• FAO has initiated the development of a publi cation on Food safety and quality policy which 
aims at providing guidance to national author ities on development of food safety and quality 
policies that are in line with in ternational principles and that are integrated into other national 
policies and programmes. 
• FAO is developing a publication on "Aid for trade: food safety and quality" as part of series 
of "Aid for trade" publications.  This publi cation will explain the importance of food quality 
and safety issues in the food trade and will pr ovide an updated account of what FAO does in 
this area. 
 IV. INFORMATION EXCHANGE MECHANISMS 
4. The International Portal on Food Sa fety, Animal and Plant Health ( http://www.ipfsaph.org
), a 
joint initiative with IPPC, OIE, Codex and WTO, co ntinued to develop.  As  of April 2008, the portal 
contains over 55535 000 records (representing an in crease of 38% year on year) sourced from nearly 
50 different official data sources, and growing.  The number of page views averages 9 000 per day, 
with over 40 000 visitors per month.  It was also noted that there are annual surges in demand during 
the spring, which, possibly, can be attributed to the timing of key meetings of standard setting bodies 
(e.g. WTO SPS, Codex and OIE) in the spring and summer.  The portal recently added a number of 
new data sets, as follows:  
• IAEA's Nucleus Clearance of Irradiated Foods  Database using an automated web services 
linkage; 
• All current JECFA specifications for food additi ves, flavouring agents, and residues of some 
veterinary drugs in animals and foods, and the portal is now  automatically linked to the 
updated and revised JECFA databases;  and 
• Automatic linkage with WTO's new SPS Informat ion Management System ensures that vital 
SPS related data sets such as Notifications, Sp ecific Trade Concerns and national SPS enquiry 
point details are automatically updated through the portal. 
 5. In addition, a data set for food safety assessmen t of r-DNA plants authorized in accordance 
with the Codex Guideline for the Conduct of Fo od Safety Assessments of Foods Derived from 
Recombinant-DNA Plants was created.
1  In cooperation with the OECD BioTrack database, an 
interoperable central database, publicly accessible from http://www.ipfsaph.org , containing food 
                                                      
1 As requested by the 7th Session of the Codex ad hoc Intergovernmental Task Force on Foods Derived 
from Biotechnology (Chiba, Japan, 24-28 September, 2007). G/SPS/GEN/938 
Page 4  
 
  safety assessments relating to foods derived from r- DNA plants has been developed and populated.  
The data set pools food safety assessment records fo r approved transformation events from various 
official online sources including OECD BioTrack, the Biosafety Clearing House and the EC Register of Genetically Modified Food and Feed, amongst others. 
6. INFOSAN, the International Food Safety Aut horities Network, developed and maintained by 
WHO in collaboration with FAO, was inaugurated in  October 2004.  Identified as a priority need by 
both Codex and the World Health Assembly, 167 Memb er States have now joined the network.  Since 
its creation, INFOSAN has responded to requests fo r information on how to develop and maintain 
food control systems by providing INFOSAN Information notes on timely food safety topics.  INFOSAN EMERGENCY, the emergency arm of the network which operates under the umbrella of 
the International Health Regula tions (2005), performs global surve illance of food contamination and 
foodborne disease events.  Every month, the INFO SAN identifies an average of 157 notices of food 
contamination and food-borne disease events with pote ntial international implications.  On average, 
about 10-20 food notices require follow up activity by INFOSAN.  One to two INFOSAN Emergency Alerts are sent out to countries receivi ng contaminated food each month.  During the past 
year, INFOSAN Emergency Alerts about the global di stribution of contaminated food have gone to all 
Members of INFOSAN. 
7. In June 2008 FAO/AGNS launched the new website on "Specific quality" under project 
GCP/INT/022/FRA funded by France.  Some food products differentiate themselves from others 
within a category by some characteristics, quality  or reputation essentially due to their geographical 
origin.  This differentiation can be attributed to  the typicity, history of the product, distinctive 
character linked to natural and human factors such as soil and climate, local know-how, traditions.  
These quality products are interesting as part of fo od security, by contributing to rural development 
and giving consumers greater choice.  The aim of the website is to provide information on this type of 
quality and the activities done in this area: case st udies, regional seminars, expert meetings and 
technical cooperation projects.  http://www.foodquality-origin.org
 
8. FAO also launched a new webpage on Veterinary  and Public Health, Feed and Food Safety 
www.fao.org/ag/AGAinfo/programmes/en/A6.html and one global and four regional networks on the 
same themes. 
9. PAHO/WHO launched the virtual health library in food safety: 
http://www.bvs.panalimentos.org /php/index.php?lang=es  
10. A training workshop on introduction to Quality  Control/Quality Assurance Measures in 
Pesticide Residue Analytical Laboratories Workshop was held at the FAO/IAEA Training and 
Reference Centre for Food and Pesticide Control in  Siebersdorf, Austria, from 6 to 31 October 2008.  
11. To ensure effective bridging between early wa rning, preventive actions and response to 
threats to the food chain, FAO is in the pro cess of streamlining its emergency prevention and 
management framework for the food-chain crisis.  This includes the extension of the FAO EMPRES 
(Emergency Prevention System for Transboundary Animals and Plant Pests and Diseases) programme 
to also cover food safety.  The primary purpose of  EMPRES-Food Safety is the prevention and early 
warning of food safety emergencies and it is bei ng established taking into consideration existing 
networks and activities in the area of prevention and early warning worldwide.  To this end, 
EMPRES–Food Safety will facilitate greater FAO suppor t to INFOSAN, particularly in relation to 
accessing relevant information from the agriculture sector, analysing trends, forecasting and providing 
technical assistance to prevent emergencies.  More  information is available at: EMPRES-FS@fao.org  G/SPS/GEN/938 
 Page 5 
 
 
  V. INTERNATIONAL EVENTS 
12. FAO together with the International Industry Academy (IIA), Russian Federation, and with 
the participation of WHO organized an internati onal conference on food safety, food security and 
nutrition  which took place in Moscow from 28 to  30 October 2008.  The conference programme 
addressed topics related to the management and impl ementation of food safety systems to ensure safe 
food and consumer protection and food security and nutrition.  Specific issues included integrated 
food safety system, risk analysis principles and pr actical application, and food safety management 
systems within the food indu stry, and nutrition education. 
13. WHO provided 12 international training cour ses on the surveillance and detection of 
foodborne and other infectious enteric diseases th rough a programme called WHO Global Salm-Surv.  
Training sites included Argentina, Brazil, Camero on, China, Kenya, Madagascar, Malaysia, Papua 
New Guinea, Poland Russia (St. Petersburg and Moscow) and Trinidad and Tobago.  With the 
exception of Brazil and China, each international tr aining course is attended by 2 to 4 representatives 
from between 8 and 18 countries.  During the cour ses integrated laboratory-based surveillance is 
promoted and inter-sectorial collaboration betwee n human health, veterinary and food-related 
disciplines is fostered around the world.  WHO is actively seeking collaboration with FAO in future 
training activities. 
VI. GLOBAL PROJECTS 
14. The Government of Norway signed a Progra mme Cooperation Agreement (PCA) with FAO, 
with the overall objective of supporting the Mille nnium Development Goals (MDGs) in developing 
countries through the work of FAO, for the period 2007-2008.  One of the principal objectives of this 
project is "Improved Food Safety and Quality at National Level and along the Food Chain".  
Activities are being conducted in Bhutan, Burkina Faso, Cambodia, Honduras, Kenya, Laos, Nicaragua, Tanzania and Uganda.  Outcomes to be reached include: acceptance and use of Good 
Agricultural Practice (GAP); capacity building and awareness raising for integrated natural resource 
governance and management (SARED), support to f ood quality and safety and Codex related work 
and guidelines, advice and instruments related to small-scale/artisanal fisheries 
implemented/developed. 
15. Under the same Programme Cooperation Agre ement, Norway is supporting a series of 
activities aimed at strengthening FAO's earlier work on the integration of food safety, animal health, 
plant health and biosafety under the biosecurity framewo rk.  In this context, a three-part Biosecurity 
Toolkit (comprising an introductory text, a bio security capacity assessment guide and a biosecurity 
risk analysis manual) is now available and othe r activities to assess biosecurity capacity needs and 
strengthen an integrated biosecurity approach ar e underway (including in Bhutan, El Salvador, Haiti 
and Panama).  More information is available at:  http://www.fao.org/ag/agn/agns/foodcontrol_en.asp
.  
16. The Governments of the Netherlands and Norw ay are jointly supporting an FAO Multi-donor 
Partnership Programme (FMPP) for 2009 that su cceeds the PCA Norway and provides continued 
support to "Improved Food Safety and Quality at  National Level and along the Food Chain".  
Activities under the 2009 programme are being implemen ted at national and sub-regional levels and 
includes the following countries:  Bhutan, Burkin a Faso, Cambodia, Democratic Republic of Congo, 
Lao PDR, Myanmar, Mali, and Uganda 
17. The French funded project GCP/INT/022/FRA h as been extended (2007-2010) and is being 
implemented, with support from FAO, to assist member countries in developing specific quality 
schemes, that are adapted to thei r economic, social and cultural s ituation and contributing to rural 
development through the valorisation and preserva tion of quality products and local resources 
associated.  The practical objective is to capitali ze information and knowledge about experiences of G/SPS/GEN/938 
Page 6  
 
  member countries,  to support FAO policy and stra tegy in this area and recommend mechanisms to 
address member countries' needs.  To this end, di fferent activities have been implemented such as: 
regional seminars, expert mee tings, networking, case studies with concrete examples on assets and 
constraints, success or failure factors, supportive tools.   
   G/SPS/GEN/938
 Page 7Annex 1 
AFRICA 
 
REGIONAL/NATIONAL EVENTS 
 
 
Activity (Workshop/Semi nar/Training Course) Organizers Dates Venue 
Workshop on food safety risk analysis WHO/AFRO in 
collaboration with the 
University of Mauritius 24-30 November 2008 Quatre Bornes, Mauritius 
Training in laboratory-based foodborne di sease surveillance GSS level II WHO/AFRO in 
collaboration with the 
Global Salm-surv Steering Committee 
for East, Central and 
West African Anglophone countries 19-24 January 2009 Nairobi, Kenya 
Subregional Workshop on Food Safety Risk Analysis:  A Guide for National 
Food Safety Authorities in Southern Af rica.  More than 20 experts from 
Botswana, Lesotho, Namibia, South Africa., Zambia and Zimbabwe FAO February 2009 Botswana 
Regional Workshop on SPS and TBT issues associated with fishery products FAO 16-21 March 2009 Dakar, Senegal 
Codex Code of Practice and Fish Inspection Services FAO 27-29 April 2009 Lilongwe, Malawi 
Pre-Codex workshop on Risk Analysis applied to Mycotoxins  FAO 23 February 2009 Accra, Ghana 
Training in laboratory-based foodborne di sease surveillance GSS level II WHO/AFRO in 
collaboration with the 
Global Salm-surv Steering Committee 
for Madagascar and 
other Island States 27 April – 2 May 2009 Madagascar 
  
  G/SPS/GEN/938 
Page 8 PROJECTS/DIRECT ASSISTANCE TO COUNTRIES 
 
 
Title FAO/WHO Country Status 
Training in microbiological analysis  of food WHO/AFRO Algeria 2008 
Strengthening of the national Codex Committee and the Food Control System 
through a national project  FAO/TCP  Angola Ongoing 
Emergency response mission to address Bromide intoxication event WHO Angola Mission conducted. 
Reports presented to 
Government of Angola. 
Support for SPS information systems in Benin FAO/STDF Benin Ongoing 
Evaluation of National food control systems and food safety programmes, 
elaboration of food safety policies, legi slation, strategies and plans of action WHO/AFRO Benin, Kenya, Gambia, Guinea, 
Ghana, Mauritius and Togo 2008 
Capacity building to enhance fish trade performance in selected African countries 
(complying with SPS) FAO/STDF Benin, Gambia, Mauritania, Senegal, 
Sierra Leone Ongoing 
Strengthening  Food Safety FAO Botswana End March 2009 
Establishment of national food safety task force, committe es and working groups WHO/AF RO Botswana, Guinea, Kenya, 
Mozambique, Sierra Leone and Uganda 2008 
Advice and support to the Centre Pasteur du Laboratoire de Chimie de Hygiène 
Environnement, for the implementation of a study on exposure of the inhabitants 
of Yaoundé to pesticide residues using a total diet study (TDS) FAO/WHO Cameroon  
Support development of the national biosecurity policy FAO Cameroon 2008 
Strengthening the national food safety and quality control system in Cameroon FAO/STDF Cameroon Ongoing 
Strengthening the national Biosecurity systems in Cape Verde FAO Cape Verde Under approval 
Development of posters on proper food handling practices, hand washing and 
conservation of food products as well a guide for proper safe handling. WHO/AFRO Chad 2008 
Training of food vendors in markets in Brazzaville using the Five Keys to Safer 
Food WHO/AFRO Congo, Rep. of Ongoing 
Development of Guide for Social Mobilization WHO/AFRO Congo, Rep. of 2008 
Assessment of Food control capacities and formulation of a project proposal for 
the Republic of Congo  FAO/TCP Congo, Rep. of In formulation  
   G/SPS/GEN/938
 Page 9Title FAO/WHO Country Status 
Strengthening the National Codex Committe e  FAO/AGNS Côte d’Ivoire Ongoing 
Investigation of unknown liver disease WHO/AFRO Ethiopia 2008 
Strengthening national biosecurity capacity FAO Gambia 2008 
Orientation of food regulators on the National Food Act WHO/AFRO Gambia 2008 
Training of public health officers in HACCP WHO/AFRO Gambia 2008 
Assessment of biosecurity cap acity needs FAO Ghana 2008 
Food safety education using the Five Keys for Safer Food for trainers from 46 
schools WHO/AFRO Ghana 2008 
FAO supported the assessment of facilities,  preparation and handling practices for 
safe delivery at the FAO Regional Office canteen in Accra (Ghana). RAFT/SFW  Ghana February 2009 
FAO provided support for a survey on Street Food Situation at selected night 
markets in Accra (Ghana) and Praia (Cape Verde) RAFT/SFW Ghana and Cape Verde January 2009 
Promotion of hand washing among children, parents and teachers as part of the 
Global School Health Programme WHO/AFRO Ghana and Sierra Leone 2008 
Strengthening National Codex Committee FAO/TCP Guinea Project in formulation 
Training of inspectors WHO/AFRO  Guinea and Madagascar 2008 
Strengthening national food control system: Food safety policy development and 
national food safety symposium (FNOP/INT/NOR/102) FAO Kenya Ongoing 
Adaptation of food  inspection manuals and guidelines WHO/AFRO Kenya 2008 
Adaptation of training manuals in HACCP WHO/AFRO Lesotho, Mozambique 2008 
FAO supported the assessment of Food In spection Systems in Liberia and Sierra 
Leone within the context of National Food Safety Management System. RAF/SFW Liberia and Sierra Leone February 2009 
Finalization of food law FAO/TCP Madagascar Ongoing 
Strengthening national biosecurity capacity FAO Malawi 2008 
Training of ANSSA staff in risk analysis of food control decision making FAO/TCP Mali In pipeline 
Create and organize a national consumer  centre to provide information to 
consumers on food related matters and promote the involvement of the consumer in promoting food quality and safety (TCP/MOR/3102) FAO Morocco Ongoing  
  G/SPS/GEN/938 
Page 10 Title FAO/WHO Country Status 
Technical cooperation to support implementation of the origin based and quality 
signs institutional framework – TCP/MOR/3104 FAO Morocco Ongoing 
Strengthened capacity in advo cacy and awareness generating activ ities WHO/EMRO Morocco Ongoing 
Technical assistance to strengthen the qua lity assurance system of their National 
Laboratory for Food and Water Hygiene (LNHAA). (UTF) FAO Mozambique In formulation 
Strengthen national biosecurity capacity  and SPS compliance FAO Nigeria 2008 
Hygienic handling of foods of animal origin. FAO Rwanda Project in formulation 
Facilitate trade in the Southern African Development Community (SADC) 
member states through food standards and food safety management. FAO SADC   
Evaluation of slaughter house for improve in readiness for implementation of 
HACCP WHO/AFRO Seychelles October-December 2008 
Training of meat inspectors and other stakeholders in HACCP compliant meat 
inspection system based on the Codex Alimentarius and the European Union requirements WHO/AFRO Seychelles October-December 2008 
Sensitization of district taskforces, producers and manufacturers on application of 
food norms and standards WHO/AFRO Sierra Leone 2008 
Promotion of advocacy and communication of Five Keys for Safer Food or 3 
fives in food safety in collaboration and partnership at regional, national and global level 
Strengthened capacity in advocacy  and awareness generating activities 
Zoonotic and non-zoonotic foodborne disease surveillance and hazard monitoring 
programmes strengthened and integrated into existing national surveillance 
system with results being disseminated 
Establishment of public health laboratories in reducing environmental public 
health risks and food safety risks WHO/EMRO Somalia Ongoing 
Assistance in the definition of a monitoring programme and assessment of 
mycotoxins in agricultural food programmes  FAO South Africa Closed in late 2008 
Strengthening national food control system and national food safety symposium 
(FNOP/INT/NOR/102) FAO Tanzania Ongoing 
Assessment of biosecurity capacity and support biosecurity network system 
establishment FAO Tanzania 2008  
   G/SPS/GEN/938
 Page 11Title FAO/WHO Country Status 
Strengthen the capacity for improving the safety and quality of fresh fruits and 
vegetables FAO/TCP Tanzania In formulation 
Development of National Food Safety Policy WHO/AFRO Tanzania 2008 
Development of guidelines for the identif ication, surveillance and prevention of 
new public health and food safety problems WHO/AFRO Tanzania 2008 
Technical cooperation to support implementation of the origin based and quality 
signs institutional framework – TCP/TUN/3202 FAO Tunisia Ongoing 
Capacity building of regulatory agencies for handling and monitoring genetically 
modified crops, products and processed foods (TCP/CRO/3103) FAO Uganda Ongoing 
Monitoring and evaluation of food safety activities and biosecurity capacity 
building FAO Uganda 2008 
Capacity building of regulatory agencies for handling genetically modified seeds, 
crops and processed foods (TCP/UGA/3103) FAO Uganda Ongoing  
Development of National Food Safety Policy an d a Food Safety Bill WHO/AFRO Uganda 2008 
Expansion/initiation of IEC activities using the WHO Five Keys to Safer Foods WHO/AFRO Uganda , Malawi, Lesotho, Comoros, 
Angola, Cameroon, DRC, Mauritania, 
Togo, The Gambia, Guinea and Mali.  2008 
  
  G/SPS/GEN/938 
Page 12 Annex 2  
ASIA 
 
REGIONAL/NATIONAL EVENTS 
 
 
Activity (Workshop/Semi nar/Training Course) Organizers Dates Venue 
Workshop on the assessment and management of seafood safety and quality FAO/INFOFISH June  2008 Viet Nam 
Regional workshop on HACCP in small and less developed food businesses – 
organized to disseminate information on the FAO/WHO Guidelines on this topic. 
Participants from Cam bodia, Indonesia, Lao PDR, Malaysia, Philippines, 
Thailand and Viet Nam  FAO 5-8 August 2008 Jakarta, Indonesia 
Codex training workshop for Asia and the Pacific FAO October 2008 Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia 
FAO regional workshop on networking an d improving safety and quality of fresh 
produce FAO November 2008 Apia, Samoa 
Regional workshop on WTO SPS measur es. Participants from Bangladesh, 
Cambodia, China, India, Indonesia, Myanmar, Pakistan, Philippines, Sri Lanka, Thailand, Vietnam and Japan FAO/WHO November 2008 Denpasar, Indonesia 
FAO regional workshop on food import and export inspection and certification. 
Participants from 8 ASEAN countries FAO/ADBI December 2008 Tokyo, Japan 
FAO sub-regional workshop on "Risk-based Design of Monitoring Programmes 
for Chemical Contaminants" for Cambodia, Laos and Vietnam. FAO March 2009 Vientiane, Lao PDR 
Sub-regional Meeting of Codex Coordinators from selected Codex member 
countries in the Pacific to discuss issues relevant to the region and develop 
discussion papers on kava and nonu (noni) for the 10th CCNASWP FAO  Regional 
Coordinator (Tonga) 
through LOA with FAO March 2009 Bangkok, Thailand 
Regional technical seminar on Quality liked to Geographical origin in Asia: 
lessons learnt and perspectives  FAO/EC Delegation, 
Delegation of 
Intellectual Property of Thailand 8-11 June 2009 Bangkok, Thailand  
FAO regional workshop on horticultural chain management  FAO June 2009 Vientiane, Lao PDR 
  
   G/SPS/GEN/938
 Page 13PROJECTS/DIRECT ASSISTANCE TO COUNTRIES 
  
Title FAO/WHO Country Status 
Enhancing food safety by strengthening food inspection systems in the ASEAN 
countries and Support to the FAO programme on capacity building in food safety  FAO with funding 
from Japan ASEAN countries Ongoing 
Project for Improving Food Safety, Quality and Food Control in Bangladesh  FAO and WHO with 
funding from EC Bangladesh Ongoing 
Support to develop a project proposal for improvement of live bird market for AI 
prevention and control in Bangladesh WHO/FAO Bangladesh Proposal develop and 
submitted for EC funding 
Assistance in the formulation of enablin g regulatory measures for research and 
sustainable application of biotechnology (TCP/BGD/3102) FAO Bangladesh Ongoing 
Biosecurity capacity building and national biosecurity policy development 
(FNOP/INT/NOR/103) FAO Bhutan Ongoing 
Establishment of national strategy for promotion of specific quality while 
preserving local resources – Yak products and mushrooms FAO Bhutan Formulation stage 
Improving Food safety and its management in Cambodia, Laos and Vietnam 
(GCP/RAS/207/NZE) FAO Cambodia, Laos and Vietnam Ongoing 
Support provided to enable a survey of chloropropanol contamination of domestic 
and imported soy sauce products WHO/WPR Cambodia Concluded and follow-up 
action in formulation 
Strengthening Testing Capability for Food Sa fety – TCP/CPR/3007 FAO/TCP China Ongoing 
Technical support provided on food safety policy, management and on the 
regulatory framework for food safety WHO WPR China Concluded and provided 
support for a UN country strategy on food safety 
World Bank agricultural products Safety Project for Jilin province WB/FAO China  Formulation stage 
Improvement of aquaculture food safety in Hubei Province -TCP/CPR/3203D FAO China Ongoing 
Technical support provided on food safety and the Olympic Games WHO  China Ongoing 
Review of the food inspection services FAO Fiji To be implemented in 
2009 
Assistance through the FAO/UNESCO Microbial Resource Centre for Marine 
Biotechnology (MIRCEN) for the organization of an ASM/FAO/UNESCO 
International Workshop on Molecular Techniques in aquaculture and seafood 
safety. FAO/UNESCO India   
  G/SPS/GEN/938 
Page 14 Title FAO/WHO Country Status 
Development of training modules for wet market managers WHO Indonesia Ongoing 
Assistance in the preparation of Nationa l Food Safety Emergency Response Plan 
(FSER) FAO Lao PDR Completed and a plan for 
follow-up capacity 
building to support implementation of the 
FSER is being 
formulated 
Assistance for developing capacity for pesticide residue monitoring capacity and improving adherence to good hygiene practices in primary production  FAO Lao PDR Ongoing 
Identification of capacity building needs of the Malaysian fish inspection system 
– TCP/MAL/3201D FAO Malaysia Ongoing 
Support to develop legal framework for food safety WHO Maldives Ongoing 
Mission to review the current food safety programme in Mongolia and to provide 
guidance on its future advancement FAO/WHO Mongolia In formulation 
Strengthening the capacity of government officials responsible for food safety, 
animal and plant health, and agricultural trade in Nepal to effectively implement 
SPS measures and related trade obligations FAO with funding 
from STDF Nepal Ongoing 
National capacity building for food quality  and safety and assistance in reviewing 
and revising national SPS laws, remodeling and plant quarantine services to 
enhance the capabilities of reference laboratories and foster cooperation with 
developed economies FAO Pakistan In formulation 
Three-year project to strengthen food quality and safety of fresh produce to 
improve quality and safety of fresh fruits  and vegetables and upgrade production 
system to meet SPS measures and Co dex safety requirements related to 
microbiological and chemical hazards in foods. FAO Philippines In formulation 
Enhancing income, quality and safety of fresh produce and environmental 
sustainability of smallholder upland farms in Bicol Region through good 
agricultural practices (GAP) FAO/AECI Philippines In formulation 
Strengthening national food control system for fresh produce in the Philippines FAO/TCP Philippines In formulation 
Emergency response mission to the Ebola Reston in pigs event FAO/WHO Ph ilippines Assessment mission 
conducted in January 2009. Report presented to 
Government of 
Philippines.  
   G/SPS/GEN/938
 Page 15Title FAO/WHO Country Status 
Assistance in training in food safety and qua lity and certification FAO Sri Lanka In formulation 
Strengthen compliance of SPS requirements for expanded exports of fresh fruits 
and vegetables (Phase II of TCP/THA/2903)  TCP/THA/3104 FAO/TCP Thailand Concluded 
Assistance in developing a food safety law FAO/TCP Vietnam Ongoing 
  
  G/SPS/GEN/938 
Page 16 Annex 3 
EUROPE 
 
REGIONAL/NATIONAL EVENTS 
 
 
Activity (Workshop/Semi nar/Training Course) Organizers Dates Venue 
Training course on HACCP for experts from Uzbekistan, Tajikistan and 
Uzbekistan WHO, in collaboration 
with MoH Belgium 
MZCP 13-20 September 2008 Tashkent, Uzbekistan 
Food safety and Nutrition counterpart meeting WHO EURO Croatian 
National Public Health 
Institute 22-24 September 2008 Brussels, Belgium 
Training course on food safety risk communication in outbreaks/crises WHO EURO 25-26 September 2008 Lovran, Croatia 
FAO/WHO Seminar "Enhancing participation in Codex" – attended by delegates 
from Armenia, Bosnia & Herzegovina, Bulgaria, Czech Republic, Estonia, 
Georgia, Republic of Moldova, Poland, Romania, Serbia, Slovak Republic, 
Sweden, Turkey, United Kingdom and the European Community and the European Commission. 15 participants  received support from the FAO/WHO 
Trust Fund for Enhancing participation in Codex in order to attend the regional 
workshop and subsequent 26
th Session CCEURO. FAO/WHO EURO in 
collaboration with 
Governments of 
Switzerland and Poland 6 October 2008 Warsaw, Poland 
Training Workshop on Introduction to Quality Control/Quality Assurance 
Measures in Pesticide Residue Anal ytical Laboratories Workshop – FAO 6-31 October 2008  Seibersdorf, Austria,   
National workshop on food safety in the school system WHO EURO Croatian 
National Public Health Institute 13 November 2008 Zagreb, Croatia 
Sub-regional workshop on Quality linked to Geographical Origin in South-eastern 
Europe FAO, in collaboration 
with the Ministry of 
Agriculture, Agridea and Seedev 3-4 December 2008 Belgrade, Serbia 
Advanced course in fish safety management based on risk analysis FAO/International 
Center for Advanced 
Mediterranean 
Agronomic Studies 
(CIHEAM-IAMZ) 19-23 January 2009 Zaragoza, Spain  
   G/SPS/GEN/938
 Page 17Activity (Workshop/Semi nar/Training Course) Organizers Dates Venue 
National workshop on food safety in tourism in Croatia WHO EURO Croatian 
National Public Health 
Institute 27-28 April 2009 Sibenik, Croatia 
Subregional meeting for Eastern European countries on Food-Based Dietary 
Guidelines  FAO/REU in 
collaboration with 
European Food 
Information Council 18-20 May 2009 Budapest, Hungary 
WHO-Global Salmonella Survey Training Course for EU and EEA countries and 
Turkey, FYROM and Croatia (99 participants) WHO EURO in 
collaboration with 
ECDC and National 
Institute of Public Health in Poland 25-28 May 2009 Warsaw, Poland 
National food safety workshop in Tajikistan WHO EURO and FAO 16-17 June 2009 Dushanbe, Tajikistan 
 
 
PROJECTS/DIRECT ASSISTANCE TO COUNTRIES  
 
 
Title FAO/WHO Country Status 
EU CARDS project to reinforce Albanian Veterinary and Phyto-sanitary Border 
Inspection Services WHO Albania, EURO  Albania Follow-up project 
Strengthening food control institutions WHO EURO  funded 
by Italian cooperation Albania Commenced early 2009 
The FAO regional project "Strengthening food safety in South East European 
transition countries – A regional approach  to food legislation and control", was 
completed in 2007. Significant project outputs include country reports on the 
status of food control and food safety, preparation of national draft food safety 
strategies and action plans, and assessment of legal status and recommendations in each country (TCP/RER/3002).  FAO Albania, Bosnia and Herzegovina, 
Bulgaria, Croatia, FYR Macedonia, Kosovo, Moldova, Romania Completed. Final 
analysis and reports in preparation.  
Project is ongoing and includes improvement of food safety by strengthening priority components of the system for strategic planning and coordination of food control activities, harmonization of food standards, inspection programmes and 
laboratory networks, and quality assurance programmes in agro-processing 
sectors. FAO/TCP project Armenia and Georgia Ongoing 
Project of FAO/EC on capacity building in food composition FAO/EC  Armenia and Georgia Ongoing  
  G/SPS/GEN/938 
Page 18 Title FAO/WHO Country Status 
Food safety capacity building – strengthening national capacity for strategic 
planning and coordination of food control activities, to ensure the adequacy of 
food law and harmonized food standards, and ensure compliance through development of effective inspection programmes, laboratory network, and quality 
assurance programmes in agro-pro cessing sectors (TCP/AZE/3101) FAO/TCP project Azerbaijan Ongoing. 
FAO technical assistance has been reques ted by the government to strengthen 
national food control activities and assessment of foods derived from biotechnology. A field formulation mission was undertaken in 2007, and a project 
is under development.  FAO Belarus Project formulated 
Capacity building of regulatory agencies for handling and monitoring genetically 
modified crops, products and processed foods (TCP/CRO/3102) FAO Croatia Ongoing 
Development of the 2nd Action Plan for Food and Nutrition Policy for the WHO 
European Region 2007-2012 WHO EURO  Follow-up activities in 
regard to implementation 
at national level 
Implementation of activities on national food  safety strategies WHO EURO Kazakhstan 
Uzbekistan Armenia  
SEE countries 
Tajikistan Ongoing 
With the support of a project preparation grant from the STDF Facility, a project 
formulation mission has been undertaken to Moldova and a draft project in under 
discussion " Strengthening the food control system to support the emerging food business sector" FAO Moldova Project in formulation  
Technical support to project Project OSRO/USR/701/EC "Emergency assistance 
for rehabilitating agri-based livelihoods of conflict-affected poor households 
through support to small-scale household livestock production" (Northern Caucasus region, Russia), June 2007 – June 2008: 
• held two training courses on healthy nutrition for project staff (project 
monitors) and beneficiary households (300 participants); 
• produced and disseminated 1000 copies of a leaflet with key nutrition 
messages;  
• produced a basic nutrition education guide (in Russian language) for use by 
community level health and nutrition workers, as well as the interested public 
in the Northern Caucasus region 
• Adapted the Family Nutrition Guide  for use in the Northern Caucasus region, 
published in Russian in August 2007. FAO Northern Caucasus region.  Completed  
   G/SPS/GEN/938
 Page 19Title FAO/WHO Country Status 
FAO technical assistance has been requeste d to strengthen national food control 
capacity through provision of training an d direct advice in Ta jikistan. A project 
formulation mission has been completed.  FAO Tajikistan Ongoing 
Strengthening Food Safety and Nutrition Services in SEE as  part of the SEE 
Health Network – Component Two – "Establishing a harmonized and an 
integrated model for food safety and nutrition systems" WHO Regional Office 
for Europe/Council for 
Europe South-east Europe Ongoing 
Policy and capacity development of food safety, animal and plant health 
laboratories FAO/TCP Turkey Ongoing 
Strengthening the laboratory for quality and safety of food and agricultural 
products (TCP/UKR/3003) FAO Ukraine Completed 
  
  G/SPS/GEN/938 
Page 20 Annex 4 
LATIN  AMERICA  AND  THE  CARIBBEAN 
 
REGIONAL/NATIONAL  EVENTS 
 
 
Activity (Workshop/Semi nar/Training Course) Organizers Dates Venue 
Central American Seminar on Risk Analysis of Contaminants in Foods FAO/NCC Costa Rica 5-6 June 2008 San José, Costa Rica 
Technical meeting on "Microbiological h azards in food".  Participants from 
national food safety work assisted in the initiation of work on risk assessment of 
Salmonella in chicken (pieces) and Vibrio spp in selected fish products FAO 9-13 June 2008 Mexico City 
Five courses on "The Codex Alimentarius Standard-Setting Process and You" for 
all Latin American countries via video link to all countries in the region FAO/IICA 16-27 June 2008 San José, Costa Rica and 
all LAC 
Technical meeting on microbiological hazards in foods to facilitate interchange of experiences among members of the national network on food safety established in 
2006 and re-orient its activities. FAO/National School 
of Biological Sciences, 
Mexico June 2008 Mexico 
Regional on line video seminar on Criteria to consider for Microbiological Food – 
318 participants from 18 countries participated.  More information available at: http://www.panalimentos.org/rilaa/e/capacitacion.asp
 WHO/PAHO 4 July 2008 Caracas, Venezuela and 
18 Latin American countries 
Regional on line video seminar on Criteria to consider for Microbiological 
analysis of dairy products – 339 participants from 18 countries participated.  More 
information available at:  http://www.panalimentos.org/rilaa/e/capacitacion.asp  WHO/PAHO 11 July 2008 Caracas, Venezuela and 
18 Latin American 
countries 
Regional on line video seminar on a general vision of the estimation of the measurements – 186 participants from 17 countries participated.  More 
information available at:  http://www.panalimentos.org/rilaa/e/capacitacion.asp
 WHO/PAHO 18 July 2008 Rio de Janeiro, Brazil 
and 17 Latin  American 
countries 
Regional on line video seminar on Criteria to consider for microbiological 
analysis of meat products – 393 participants from 19 countries participated.  More information available at:  http://www.panalimentos.org/rilaa/e/capacitacion.asp
 WHO/PAHO 1 August 2008 Rio de Janeiro, Brazil 
and 19 Latin  American 
countries 
Course on "The Codex Alimentarius Standard Settin g Process for Food Inspectors FAO, in collaboration 
with WHO and 
Ministries of 
Agriculture and Health 14-15 August 2008 Santo Domingo, 
Dominican Republic 
Regional on line video seminar on Criteria to consider for microbiological 
analysis of fruits and vegetables– 416 partic ipants from 19 countries participated.  
More information available at:  
http://www.panalimentos.org/rilaa/e/capacitacion.asp  WHO/PAHO 15 August 2008 Rio de Janeiro, Brazil 
and 19 Latin  American 
countries  
   G/SPS/GEN/938
 Page 21Activity (Workshop/Semi nar/Training Course) Organizers Dates Venue 
Regional on line video seminar on Criteria to consider for microbiological 
analysis of seafood products – 457 participants from 19 countries participated.  
More information available at:  http://www.panalimentos.org/rilaa/e/capacitacion.asp
 WHO/PAHO 27 August 2008 Santiago, Chile and 19 
Latin American countries 
WHO-GSS Level III course for 22 states in Brazil WHO/PAHO September 2008 Brazil 
Regional seminar on Private Standards of Vegetable and Animal Health and Food Safety – the necessity of a regional action to promote public welfare FAO 3-5 September 2008 Santiago, Chile 
Regional on line video seminar on Something more about evaluation of the 
measurement’s uncertainty - 366 participants from 18 countries participated.  More information available at:  
http://www.panalimentos.org/rilaa/e/capacitacion.asp
 WHO/PAHO 4-5 September 2008 Buenos Aires, Argentina 
and 18 Latin  American 
countries 
Codex Contact Point Seminar on SPS issues and Determination of Equivalence of SPS measures FAO/CCP  10-12 September 2008  Lima, Peru 
Regional on line video seminar on Criteria to consider for microbiological 
analysis of water - 483 participants fr om 18 countries participated.  More 
information available at:  http://www.panalimentos.org/rilaa/e/capacitacion.asp  WHO/PAHO 12 September 2 008 Caracas, Venezuela and 
19 Latin American 
countries 
Four Regional Video courses on Codex new electronic tools  FAO 15-17 September 2008 Santiago and all LA 
countries 
Forum of major stakeholders responsible for the development and implementation 
of policies and activities in the area of food safety for a coordinated approach to 
food safety in the region FAO Trinidad/FAO 
SLC, IICA and 
CARICOM September-October 2008 Trinidad 
Technical meeting on Risk Assessment of  Microbiological Hazards in Food – 
exchange of information on progress in the region in this field and to define new 
steps to enhance the use of this tool . 44 experts from 15 Latin American and 
Caribbean countries participated and 7 experts from other regions. the report of the meeting is available at: 
http://www.fao.org/ag/agn/agns/jemra_technology_en.asp
 FAO/PAHO/OIRSA/I
CMSF/USAID 
Programme, National 
Planning Department of Colombia and 
Colombian Association 
of Food Science and Technology  1-3 October 2008 Bogotá, Colombia 
Regional Expert meeting on How to Design and Implement Food Safety  Policy  FAO 7-9 October 2008 Santiago, Chile  
Course on the "The Codex Alimentarius Standard Setting Process" for food 
inspectors FAO, in collaboration 
with WHO and 
Ministries of Agriculture and Health 22-23 October 2008 Santo Domingo, 
Dominican Republic  
  G/SPS/GEN/938 
Page 22 Activity (Workshop/Semi nar/Training Course) Organizers Dates Venue 
INFAL/RILAA Assembly and Workshop on Mycotoxin Sampling  FAO/PAHO 24-30 October 2008 Panama City 
Pre-CCLAC Regional  workshop on Risk-based Inspection  FAO/PAHO 9 November 2008 Acapulco, Mexico 
Course on the "The Codex Alimentarius Standard Setting Process" for food 
inspectors FAO, in collaboration 
with WHO and 
Ministries of Agriculture and Health 26-27 November 2008 Santo Domingo, 
Dominican Republic 
Training school teachers in basi c nutrition and food safety FAO 2008 El Salvad or/Dominican 
Republic 
Development of a teacher booklet on food handling and safety FAO 2008 El Salvador/Dominican 
Republic 
Training shop vendors on proper food handling practices and conservation FAO 2008 El Salvador/Dominican 
Republic 
Development of a mini-manual on proper food handling, preparation and 
conservation for top shop manual FAO 2008-2009 El Salvador/Dominican 
Republic 
Development of a parent training handbook on food hygiene/safety for parents FAO 2008-2009 El Salvador/Dominican 
Republic 
Training primary school teachers on principles of nutrition and food safety FAO 2009 Bahamas 
Course on the "The Codex Alimentarius Standard Setting Process" for agriculture 
producers FAO, in collaboration 
with Ministry of 
Agriculture  6 February 2009 La Vega, Dominican 
Republic 
Course on the "The Codex Alimentarius Standard Setting Process" for agriculture 
producers FAO, in collaboration 
with Ministry of 
Agriculture  31 March 2009 Azua, Dominican 
Republic 
Course on the "The Codex Alimentarius Standard Setting Process" for milk and dairy products producers FAO, in collaboration 
with Ministry of Agriculture  29 April 2009 Santo Domingo, 
Dominican Republic 
Workshop for Amazon basin countries to develop a guideline in surveillance, 
prevention, control of Chagas Disease transmitted by food WHO/PAHO March 2009 Brazil 
WHO-GSS I Advance Course for Central America, Cuba, Dominican Republic 
and Puerto Rico Second Regional technical seminar on Quality liked to Geographical origin in Lati n America: steps forward WHO/PAHOFAO- 
National Council of Production of Costa 
Rica 5 April - 7 May 2009 San José, Cost Rica  
   G/SPS/GEN/938
 Page 23Activity (Workshop/Semi nar/Training Course) Organizers Dates Venue 
FAO supported the implementation of a pr oject in the Latin American and the 
Caribbean Region to generate a data base on scientific and epidemiological 
reports related to V. cholerae , V. vulnificus  and V. parahaemolyticus  in the marine 
ecosystem and its products. Argentina, Br azil, Cuba, Chile, Mexico and Peru are 
participating in this project.  FAO, in collaboration 
with University of Sao 
Paolo, Brazil FUNDESPA, National 
Institute of Public 
Health and other local Chilean institutions. 20-22 April 2009 Puerto Montt, Chile 
Course on the "The Codex Alimentarius Standard Setting Process" for fruit and 
vegetable packagers FAO, in collaboration 
with Ministry of 
Agriculture  May 2009 Santo Domingo, 
Dominican Republic 
The second regional technical seminar on Quality linked to Geographical Origin 
in Latin America was organized to follow up on the first one and to consider a 
regional project to support implementation of specific quality schemes that 
contribute to rural development.  FAO, in collaboration 
with National Council 
of Production 5-7 May 2009 San José, Costa Rica 
VI Course and Annual Meeting of the PulseNet Network for Latin America and 
Caribbean WHO/PAHO, CDC May 2009 Argentina 
Course on the "The Codex Alimentarius Standard Setting Process" for general 
food processors FAO, in collaboration 
with the Ministry of 
Agriculture June 2009 Santo Domingo, 
Dominican Republic 
 
 
PROJECTS/DIRECT  ASSISTANCE 
 
 
Title FAO/WHO Country Status 
Subregional project on Strengthening GAP, GMP and HACCP application to 
middle and small size food industries. WHO/AMRO Andean, Central America and English 
speaking Caribbean countries. Prepared and ready for 
submission to WHO 
Department of Food 
Safety for comments and suggestions for external 
funding. 
Training in food hygiene and nutrition FAO Argentina In formulation 
Development of databases and tables of food composition to strengthen 
international trade and consumer protection (TCP/RLA/3107) FAO Argentina, Chile and Paraguay Operation commenced in 
December 2007. NTE November 2009.  
  G/SPS/GEN/938 
Page 24 Title FAO/WHO Country Status 
Analysis and Strengthening of Community Food and Nutrition programmes – 
TCP/RLA/3110 FAO Argentina, Brazil, Mexico, Panama Commenced February 
2008 due for completion 
in January 2009 
Subregional project on "Improving the food safety of street foods through establishing a food inspection system base d on the Hazard Analysis and Critical 
Control Point (HACCP) system  FAO Barbados/Eastern Caribbea n states Recently concluded 
Strengthen biosecurity framework - supp ort to up-dating of biosecurity legal 
framework and strengthening of national capacity for effective implementation of biosecurity approaches and system. FAO Belize  Ongoing 
Technical assistance to implement Hea lthy Food Markets Strategy. The first 
healthy market was implemented in Bolivia. The experience was disseminated to 
5 departments of Bolivia with one ma rket in each department finished.  PAHO/WHO with 
extra-budgetary 
support from AGFUND Bolivia, Dominican Republic, Guyana 
and Paraguay Ongoing 
Adaptation, validation and adoption of the WHO’s Five Keys to Safer Food in 
primary schools.  WHO/AMRO  Municipality of Duque de Caxias, 
Brazil. Ongoing 
Education on the WHO’s Five Keys to Safer Food to community leaders in the 
"favela " la Rociña.  WHO/AMRO  Municipality of Rio de Janeiro, 
Brazil. Concluded December 
2008 
Technical cooperation in outbreak of  Beri-Beri induced by mycotoxin. WHO/AMRO Brazil Concluded December 
2008 
Training course in food safety risk analysis for food inspectors of the Food Safety Regulatory Agency in Brazil (ANVISA) WHO/PAHO Brazil Ongoing 
Training GMP, HACCP, Auditing food in spectors in Colombian Food Safety 
Authority (INVIMA) WHO/PAHO Colombia Will be completed 
November 2009 
Pilot project for the implementation of in tegrated surveillance in antimicrobial 
resistance WHO, PAHO Colombia Ongoing 
Capacity building in risk analysis for national health authorities  (TCP/CHI/3201) FAO Chile  Ongoing 
Burden of illness study for foodborne diseases in Chile WHO/PAHO, PHAC, 
U Guelph Chile Ongoing 
Optimization of the Agro-Industrial Chain for Spirulina for human consumption 
(TCP/CUB/3013) FAO Cuba Ongoing 
Strengthening of Food Analysis Capacity : Creation of national network of  Food 
Analysis Laboratories - linked to the Inter American Food Analysis Laboratories 
(INFAL) WHO/AMRO Cuba Ongoing  
   G/SPS/GEN/938
 Page 25Title FAO/WHO Country Status 
Technical consultancy and training on risks in foods  FAO Cuba Ongoing 
Development of coffee production  FAO Dominica In formulation 
Regional project on strengthening national Codex Committee and national Codex 
Contact Point FAO Dominica, Grenada, St Kitts and 
Nevis and St Vincent and the 
Grenadines In formulation 
Strengthen the food trade sector  FAO Dominican Republic Ongoing 
Strengthen the competitiveness of the agri-food sector  (TCP/DOM/3102) FAO/TCP Do minican Republic Ongoing 
HACCP for Food Inspectors’ Certification FAO Dominican Republic Ongoing 
The Codex Alimentarius Standard Setting Process FAO Dominican Republic In formulation 
Training facilitator from the Consumer Asso ciation on food safety, food security 
and nutrition FAO Dominican Republic In formulation 
Implementing a Quality Assurance System  in the Dairy Reference Laboratory 
(TCP/DOM/3201) FAO Dominican Republic Ongoing 
Strengthening of Food analysis capacity:  Creation of national network of food 
analysis laboratories – linked to the Inte r-American Food Anal ysis Laboratories 
(INFAL/RILAA) WHO/AMRO Dominican Republic  Ongoing 
Strengthening of food safety systems: National workshops using the Performance, 
Vision and Strategy tool were performed and ongoing assessment of actions 
plans.  WHO/PAHO, IICA Ecuador, Perú, Bolivia, Paraguay, 
Argentina, Uruguay Ongoing 
Training teachers in good hygienic prac tices, nutrition and interpretation of food 
labelling; training parents and school community in nutrition FAO/NGOs Dominican Republic 
(TCP/DOM/31/01) 
El Salvador (TCP/ELS/3101) April - July 2008 
January 2009 
Technical assistance to the nutmeg  industry  FAO Grenada Ongoing 
Harmonization of the Central American Countries Food Co de. WHO/PAHO, OIRSA Guatemal a, Honduras, El Salvador, 
Nicaragua, Costa Rica, Panamá, 
Dominican Republic Ongoing, final document 
under discussion at 
national levels. 
Implementation of pilot project for adaptation, validation and adoption of WHO’s 
Five Keys to Food Safety in urban and rural primary schools  WHO, with extra-
budgetary funds from DFID Guatemala and Venezuela Ongoing 
Rehabilitation of analytical capacities of the chemical laboratory of the Faculty of 
Agronomy and Veterinary Medicine (FAMV) -  Phase II of TCP/HAI/2906 FAO Haiti Ongoing  
  G/SPS/GEN/938 
Page 26 Title FAO/WHO Country Status 
"Improving Marketing Efficiency of Ar tisanal Fishermen in Central America, 
Mexico and the Caribbean", which includes  training of fishermen and middlemen 
in the preservation of the quality of the catches. FAO/Common Fund 
for Commodities 
(CFC) Honduras, Mexico, Cuba Ongoing 
Establishment of a national Codex Co mmittee FAO Jamaica Recently concluded 
Prevention of OTA in coffee FAO Nicaragua In formulation 
Modernization of the Phytosanitary System – Extension to food safety and animal 
health components (TCP/PAN/3003) FAO Panama Ongoing 
Strengthening education on food safety and nutrition through the establishment of 
the "Feed the mind to combat hunger" programme (TCP/PAR/3101) FAO Paraguay Due for completion in 
March 2009 
Strengthening of Foodborne Diseases Surveilla nce Systems WHO/PAHO Peru, Bolivia Ongoing 
Eco-Health for the Caribbean: Burden of foodborne disease studies, rainwater 
cisterns assessment, distance learning  in food safety control programmes. WHO/PAHO, Laval 
University, Saint George University, 
University of West 
Indies, Public Health Agency Canada St. Lucia, Guyana, Grenada, 
Bahamas, Trinidad Ongoing 
Burden of illness studies for foodborne diseases in the Caribbe an WHO/PAHO, PHAC, St. Lucia, Grenada, Jamaica, Trinidad 
& Tobago, Dominica Ongoing 
Subregional projects to strengthen the analytical activities, laboratory quality 
assurance and capacity building of Inter- American Network of  Food Analytical 
Laboratories (INFAL/RILAA)  FAO Subregional Ongoing project 
evaluation 
Support to national agricultural health a nd food safety:  Technical assistance to 
strengthen the formation of the national agricultural health and food safety - TCP/3201/RLC FAO Trinidad and Tobago Ongoing 
Technical assistance in the fo od and beverage industry in the form of consultancy 
services to create unified Food Safety Authority and develop national food safety 
programme. Similar assistance also requested in fish and fish processing industry 
to update regulations for food safety standa rds in fish and fishery products and to 
develop a Fisheries Management Plan FAO Trinidad and Tobago Ongoing 
Strengthening agri-food chain suppliers to national food and nutrition 
programmes, with emphasis on those directed to primary schools. FAO Uruguay In formulation 
"Fisheries Management in Uruguay", which includes improvement of the 
production infrastructures and processes to enhance the sanitary and quality 
standards of fisheries products FAO/UTF Uruguay Ongoing  
   G/SPS/GEN/938
 Page 27Annex 5 
NEAR  EAST/EASTERN  MEDITERRANEAN 
 
REGIONAL/NATIONAL  EVENTS 
 
 
Activity (Workshop/Semi nar/Training Course) Organizers Dates Venue 
Subregional workshop on food-Based Dietary Guidelines   for the Gulf 
Corporation Countries (GCC)  FAO 16-18 May 2009 Muscat, Oman  
 
 
PROJECTS/DIRECT  ASSISTANCE 
 
 
Title FAO/WHO Country Status 
Development of national strategy for food safety and functioning of HPLC 
machine in food analysis laboratory of  Ministry of Public Health WHO/EMRO Afghanistan Completed end 2008 
Promote advocacy and communication of Five Keys for Safer Food in 
collaboration and with partnership at regional, national and global level WHO/EMRO Afghanistan  Ongoing 
Development of national strategy for food safety and functioning of HPLC 
machine in food analysis laboratory of  the Ministry of Public Health; food 
manufacturing establishments enabled with skills to apply HACCP Improved capabilities in quality assurance applications and accreditations in food 
microbiology laboratories WHO/EMRO 
 
WHO/EMRO Bahrain 
 
Bahrain Completed end 2008 
 
Due for completion by 
end of 2009 
Strengthening Quality Control Systems for Cereals and Groundnuts FAO Egypt In formulation 
Establishment of a regional risk assessment body and reorganization of the food 
control system. FAO Gulf Cooperation Council countries In formulation 
Provision of technical support to food safety system WHO/EMRO Iran Ongoing 
Monitoring, Prevention and Control of Aflatoxin Contamination in Iranian 
pistachio nuts FAO Iran Ongoing 
Rebuilding Food Safety and Food Processing Capacity in Iraq 
(OSRO/IRQ/601/UDG) FAO/WHO/UNIDO Iraq Ongoing  
  G/SPS/GEN/938 
Page 28 Title FAO/WHO Country Status 
Functional Inter-Ministerial Independent Ira qi Food Safety Authority established; 
laws and regulations guiding food safety activities updated and implemented. 
Links strengthened between Iraq and Codex Alimentarius as well as other international food safety fora and efficient and coordinated implementation of the 
UNDG ITF food safety project ensured WHO/EMRO Iraq  
Development of partnership for food safety; strengthening of zoonotic and non-
zoonotic foodborn e surveillance and hazard monitoring programmes and 
integration into existing national surveillance systems; dissemination of results WHO/EMRO Jordan Ongoing 
Technical cooperation to support implementation of geographical indication 
framework and for dairy products - TCP FAO  Jordan  In formulation 
Strengthening of food safety programme WHO/EMRO Kuwait Ongoing 
"Improved Production and Marketing Capa cities of the Lebanese Agricultural 
Products"/Strengthening MOA capabilities to control and inspect imported and 
exported plant and animal products as part of strengthening the food control 
system in Lebanon FAO/with extra 
budgetary support from Italian 
Cooperation Lebanon In formulation 
Development and testing of a generic HACCP model for food production and 
handling WHO/EMRO Lebanon Ongoing 
Review and updating of strategy for nutrition and food safety; updating and 
validation of quality assurance system for Libyan CFDC; development of national 
standardized guidelines/capacity on det ection, prevention and management of 
foodborne diseases WHO/EMRO Libya Ongoing 
Reduction of the incidence on non-zoonotic foodborne disease of five major 
bacterial pathogens WHO/EMRO Oman Due for completion by 
end 2009 
Strengthening capacity of MOH and other partners in foodborne risks WHO/EMRO Palestine Ongoing 
Development of the Food Industries Division at the National Agricultural 
Research Centre  FAO (AGNS/AGST) Saudi Ar abia In formulation 
Strengthening capacity building of food safety staff and increasing public 
awareness WHO/EMRO Saudi Arabia Ongoing 
Strengthened capacity in advocacy and awaren ess generated activities WHO/EMRO Syria Ongoing  
   G/SPS/GEN/938
 Page 29Title FAO/WHO Country Status 
Elaboration of a foodborne surveillance system  
Continuation of work on international standardization of food products 
Promotion of advocacy and communication of 5 Keys for Safer Food or Three 
Fives in Food Safety in collaboration an d with partnership at regional, national 
and global level WHO/EMRO 
WHO/EMRO Tunisia 
Tunisia Ongoing 
Ongoing 
Technical cooperation to support the implementation of geographical indications– 
TCP/TUN/3202 FAO Tunisia  Ongoing  
Identification of magnitude of foodborne diseases and enhancement of food safety 
monitoring and quality WHO/EMRO Yemen Ongoing 
  
  G/SPS/GEN/938 
Page 30 Annex 6 
NORTH  AMERICA  AND  THE  PACIFIC 
 
REGIONAL/NATIONAL  EVENTS 
 
 
Activity (Workshop/Semi nar/Training Course) Organizers Dates Venue 
FAO regional workshop on networking an d improving safety and quality of fresh 
produce FAO November 2008 Apia, Samoa 
 
 
PROJECTS/DIRECT  ASSISTANCE  TO COUNTRIES 
 
 
Title FAO/WHO Country Status 
Food safety regulations drafted WHO Cook Islands, Kiribati and Nauru Ongoing 
Food standards drafted WHO Federated States of Micronesia Ongoing 
Review of food inspection services FAO Fiji Ongoing 
Enhancement of food safety education based upon the Five Keys to Safer Food, 
including food safety education in schools WHO  Pacific countries Ongoing 
Training on risk assessment WHO  Papua New Guinea Ongoing 
Integrated Food Standards Project to strengthen capacity of the Pacific Islands Forum 
countries to establish and enforce internat ionally recognized food laws, standards and 
inspection procedures to promote unhindered trade in safe and wholesome food. WPRO/FAO-
SAP/Pacific Islands Forum Secretariat 14 Pacific Island countries Ongoing 
Post-harvest research and capacity building in Samoa to improve shelf-
life/packaging and product quality of breadfruit and papaya FAO Samoa Ongoing 
Technical assistance to develop a Meat  Hygiene Legislation, including the 
Abattoir and Meat Supply Act and the Abattoir and Meat Inspection Regulations FAO Samoa Legislation drafted in 
early 2008, now under review by the MAF’s 
Legal Counsel. 
  
   G/SPS/GEN/938
 Page 31Annex 7 
FAO/WHO PUBLICATIONS UNDER DEVELOPMENT 
 
 
• PAHO/WHO published a manual in Portuguese to train in food safety risk analysis entitled "Perspectiva sobre a analise de risco na seguranca dos 
alimentos" 
• "Animal Production and Health Manu al: Good Practices for the Meat Industry" is now  available in English, French, Spanish and Ar abic, also on-line. 
The manual is a tool to comply with the Codex Code  of Hygienic Practice for Meat (CAC/RCP 58-2005). 
• FAO, in collaboration with the International Feed Industry Fede ration (IFIF), produced a Manual of Good Practices for the Feed Industry, to assist in the 
practical implementation of the Codex Code of Pr actice for Good Animal Feeding (CAC/RCP 54-2004). 
• FAO collaborated with the OIE for the production of a "Guide to  good farming practices for animal production food safety".  The  guide is intended to 
help competent authorities to assist stakeholders, including farm ers, to fully assume their re sponsibilities at the first stage  of the food chain to produce 
safe food of animal origin.   
• The FAO/WHO e-learning training course "Enhancing participation in  Codex activities is available on CD-ROM in English, French a nd Spanish. The 
training course is accessible in English and Spanish through the FAO and WHO websites 
(http://www.fao.org/ag/agn/agns/ capacity_elearning_codex_en.asp )  
• FAO, together with WHO and ICD, developed a Basic Awareness Cour se on Microbiological Risk Assessment (MRA).  The primary objec tive of this 
course is to acquaint governments with the ge neral concept of risk analysis and how MR A fits into the framework of Microbiologi cal Risk Management 
(MRM);  
• The Russian version of the FAO/AGNS face to face training materials is now available and may be obtained from 
http://www.fao.org/ag/agn/agns/capacity_elearning_codex_en.asp .  The training materials are available to all and especially useful to trainers working to 
strengthen the effectiveness of the national Codex programme in their country. The materials include Trainers’ Notes along with  a set of presentation 
slides, student notes, class activities and supporting reference mate rials.  Implementation of training activities using the tr aining materials should 
strengthen stakeholder dialogue and raise awareness on Codex at national level. 
• The WHO/FAO Guidelines on the Safe Preparation, Storage and Handling of Powdered Infant Formula are available in Arabic, Chinese, English, 
French, Russian and Spanish and have recen tly been translated into Japanese.  
• FAO published case studies on "Implementing programmes to improve  safety and quality in fruit a nd vegetable supply chains: bene fits and drawbacks" in 
English and Spanish. 
• The Spanish version of the FAO/AGNS video on Sampling for Mycotoxins  "Procedimientos de muestreo pa ra la determinación de micot oxinas en los 
alimentos y las raciones animales" is now available and may be obtained from http://www.fao.org/ag /agn/agns/news_an.asp . 
• PAHO/WHO published:  The Five Keys to Safer Food Manual (theoreti cal manual); Activity Book for Teachers: Five Keys to Safer Fo od; a Guide for 
the Parent-Teacher Association: How  to make a water and food safety plan for my school?   The five steps to be a school with safe food and water, and a 
poster "The 5 Keys to Safer Food "  
  G/SPS/GEN/938 
Page 32 • WHO published 'Guidelines for the Investigation and Control of F oodborne Disease Outbreaks.  Thes e guidelines serve as a genera l introduction to the 
identification, as well as a practical aid for the investigation and control of foodborne disease outbreaks in a variety of set tings.  The Guidelines include 
background information and practical tools, such as sa mple questionnaires and investigation report forms. 
• The FAO Biosecurity toolkit is available in English, French and Spanish.  Member coun tries can use this toolkit to analyse and manage risks that exist in 
food safety, animal and plant life and health, and associat ed risks to the environment.  It outlines principles and components of biosecurity, provides a guide 
to assess biosecurity capacity and guides the applica tion of risk analysis principles in biosecurity.  
• FAO has also published the following training ma nuals:  On-farm mycotoxins control in food and feed grain; and Maintaining qual ity of food and feed grain 
through trade and processing ( both available also on-line) 
• FAO developed a practical manual for producers and exporters from Asia – Regulatio ns, standards and cert ification for agricultu ral exports.  The publication 
is available in English, Thai, Vietnamese, Mandarin, Bahasa, Myanmar, Farsi, Hindi, Lao, Urdu, Tegulu and Bengali.   
• FAO published case studies on quality linked to geographical origin in Latin America, in Spanish, January 2009 as a follow up o f the regional seminar on 
this matter that took place in Santiago de Chile, December 2007.  
• FAO published a guide for the development of specific quality sche me linked to geographical origin , at the local level, June 20 09, in collaboration with the 
research network SinerGI (EU funded proj ect), and in the framework of the Fr ench funded project GCP/INT/FRA/022.  
• FAO/AGN, in collaboration with several food safety consultants, prepared a paper on th e Implications of Climate Change and Bioe nergy for the FAO High 
Level Conference on World Food Security:  Th e Challenges of Climate Change and Bioene rgy which took place at FAO headquarters i n Rome, 3-5 June 
2008.  The paper is available at the following web address:  http://www.fao.org/ag/agn/ag ns/files/ HLC_1 Climate_ Change_and_Food_Safety.pdf . 
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