March 14, 2018 – A workshop for Food Business Operators under FAO project entitled “Provide assistance to the State Service for Food Safety of the Ministry of Agriculture of Armenia with risk assessment methodology and system in the field of food safety, veterinary services and phytosanitary” was organized in Yerevan.  

Considering the consumers’ interests and necessity of providing safe food to the market, developing of rating system for the food business operators is considered as one of the high priority areas. Highlighting the importance, the UN Food and Agriculture Organization (UN FAO) in cooperation with the State Service for Food Safety (SSFS) of the Ministry of Agriculture of the Republic of Armenia organizes a workshop on “Introduction of Rating System for the Food Business Operators” in Armenia with the participation of representatives from SSFS, international and local organizations, food business operators and other stakeholders.

Rating system for food business operators will be introduced in the Republic of Armenia for the first time and with the support of Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations and with support of FAO international consultants.

The objective of the workshop is to discuss the benefits of food business rating systems, advantages and challenges and to outline the plans of the SSFS to introduce a rating system.

“This workshop is an important event for SSFS to update stakeholders and food business operators on the initiative on food business rating system” highlighted Mary Kenny, FAO Food Safety and Consumer Protection Officer.

Diana Mirzoyan, Head of Data Analysis and Consultancy Division, SSFS introduced the criterias and methodology of rating system, she mentioned that this would be an important step to formulate legal base  and to register the Food Business Operators. The SSFS has the rating concept, methodology and pilot project  for introduction of a rating system for Food Business Operators has been completed,  so the workshop is an opportunity to hear ideas on classification models in Armenia and to map out actions and  the plans of the SSFS.