While improvements in food safety in the Asia-Pacific region have been observed in recent years, many countries in the region have yet to implement internationally accepted standards in food handling and preparation throughout the food chain. Indeed, more than 200 known diseases are contracted through the spread of contaminated food.

Governments and other stakeholders in the implementation of food safety standards from across Asia and the Pacific will participate in a regional consultation workshop with the aim of helping governments incorporate established international Codex guidelines into enforceable requirements at country level and receive further guidance on implementation of norms to help them overcome any problems they presently encounter in implementing these requirements.

Foodborne illnesses can have an adverse effect on trade and tourism, result in loss of earnings, productivity and litigation. Additionally, unsafe food leads to food losses and wastes, and reduced market access and erodes consumer confidence.

You, or your representatives, are cordially invited to attend the opening session of this consultation. One-on-one interviews can be arranged during the morning break. Refreshments served.

Keynote speakers include: Hiroyuki Konuma, FAO Assistant Director-General and Regional Representative, a representative from the Swiss Embassy (co-convener), and Patrick Deboyser, Minister-Counsellor (Health and Food Safety), European Commission

WHAT: Implementation of GMP/HACCP in Asia – a status review,  Jointly organised by the FAO Regional Office for Asia and the Pacific and the Federal Food Safety and Veterinary Office (FSVO) of Switzerland

WHEN:  23 June – 9:00 am

WHERE: Millennium Hilton Bangkok, 123 Charoennakorn Road, Klongsan, Bangkok, Thailand

For further information, contact: Allan Dow, FAO Communication Officer 02 697 4126 or 081 899 7354. Email: [email protected]