PGR News from the Pacific

Posted 9:08 PM by Tevita

Workshop looks at food safety issues

Thursday, 12 March 2009

From: Solomon Start News

A WORKSHOP aimed at addressing food safety issues is being held in Honiara this week at the Ministry of Health.

It looks at food production, processing, storage and distribution.

The workshop expects to come up with a national policy on food safety, security and nutrition.
The Integrated Food Safety, Nutrition and Food Security workshop was organised to look into a draft food safety policy the cabinet endorsed in June 1998.

Participants will assess what has been achieved and what has not in order to improve food safety issues in the country.

They expect to come up with a Food Standard Regulation that local industries will follow.
Under Secretary Ministry of Health Dr Cedric Alependava said the country needs to consider how best to increase the local capacity to grow traditional food.

He said to enhance food safety, improvement of agriculture practices must be considered.
“Food and Agriculture Organisation (FAO) and Ministers of Agriculture of the Pacific have recognised the importance of taking action on food security,” he said.

He said this will be an issued Pacific island leaders will consider this year during the Leaders Forum in Australia.

Dr. William Adu-Krow of World Health Organisation (WHO) said malnutrition is currently increasing in the Pacific due to rapid growth, inadequate diets, parasites and diarrhea.

He said to attain food safety, agriculture, health, food industry and trade sectors must work together to ensure the production is safe and well observed.

The workshop will explore current food safety and security in the country, pathways forward for food safety, identifying principles, aims and strategies to be included in the policy.

Reps from the Government, private sector and other stakeholders are attending the workshop.

By TRIXIE CARTER



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DIVA-GIS	Thursday, March 12, 2009 Posted 9:08 PM by Tevita Workshop looks at food safety issues Thursday, 12 March 2009 From: Solomon Start News A WORKSHOP aimed at addressing food safety issues is being held in Honiara this week at the Ministry of Health. It looks at food production, processing, storage and distribution. The workshop expects to come up with a national policy on food safety, security and nutrition. The Integrated Food Safety, Nutrition and Food Security workshop was organised to look into a draft food safety policy the cabinet endorsed in June 1998. Participants will assess what has been achieved and what has not in order to improve food safety issues in the country. They expect to come up with a Food Standard Regulation that local industries will follow. Under Secretary Ministry of Health Dr Cedric Alependava said the country needs to consider how best to increase the local capacity to grow traditional food. He said to enhance food safety, improvement of agriculture practices must be considered. “Food and Agriculture Organisation (FAO) and Ministers of Agriculture of the Pacific have recognised the importance of taking action on food security,” he said. He said this will be an issued Pacific island leaders will consider this year during the Leaders Forum in Australia. Dr. William Adu-Krow of World Health Organisation (WHO) said malnutrition is currently increasing in the Pacific due to rapid growth, inadequate diets, parasites and diarrhea. He said to attain food safety, agriculture, health, food industry and trade sectors must work together to ensure the production is safe and well observed. The workshop will explore current food safety and security in the country, pathways forward for food safety, identifying principles, aims and strategies to be included in the policy. Reps from the Government, private sector and other stakeholders are attending the workshop. 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