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| Agenda Item 7 | Conference Room Document 7 English only |
FAO/WHO Regional Conference on Food Safety for Asia and the Pacific
Seremban, Malaysia, 24-27 May 2004
PRIORITIZATION AND COORDINATION OF CAPACITY BUILDING ACTIVITIES
FOOD SAFETY CONTROL SYSTEM IN MALAYSIA
(Malaysia)
Food safety is increasingly becoming a global challenge both by virtue of its public health impact as well as its economic and political implications. Malaysia has established the National Food Safety and Nutrition Council in 2001, a multi- sectoral forum to set clear policies and strategies for the continuous improvement of the food safety programme. This Council is chaired by the Honorable Minister of Health and formulates policy on food safety and nutrition, which will be integrated, with other national policies to address, amongst others, health, economic and trade issues. The National Food Safety Policy was formulated in 2002 and it aims at providing direction to all stakeholders in establishing and implementing food safety measures, through collaborative efforts to safeguard human health. To effectively implement the National Food Safety Policy in a more coordinated and integrated manner, a National Plan of Action on Food Safety had also been formulated in 2002. The action plan clearly defines the role of each stakeholder and its successful implementation will depend on the support and commitment of all the relevant government agencies and stakeholders.
Malaysia has taken measures to strengthen the following activities: Formulation and Review of Food Legislations; Certification; Enforcement; Laboratory Services; Research and Monitoring and Participation in International and Regional Fora.
Malaysia is currently collaborating with the Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA) specifically in the areas of data management, electronic networking in import control, laboratory capability and technical exchange programmes.
At the ASEAN level, Malaysia has offered expertise to other ASEAN countries, example, Viet Nam in the promulgation of food legislations and development of HACCP certification and in enforcement and prosecution activities as well as the development of HACCP certification in Brunei Darussalam. Malaysia has also conducted consultations on food safety and Codex under WHO to the Pacific islands namely Solomon Islands, Kiribati and Samoa, as well as on Codex under FAO to Iran. Malaysia is willing to offer expertise in the following areas: promulgation of food legislations, laboratory capability, implementation of good practices on farm, food processing, animal husbandry and aquaculture, establishment of certification schemes, on-line control of food imports, crisis management in the prevention and control of Nipah virus, food safety consultancy, development of Codex Contact Point and the setting up of National Codex Committee.
Food safety should be addressed throughout the food chain from farm to table, that is from the stage of production, processing, storage and distribution. This requires close collaboration and cooperation among all stakeholders along the food chain, clearly defined jurisdiction and responsibilities, mechanism of cooperation and means of dealing with existing and emerging food safety challenges. Resources such as manpower and finance should be allocated and utilized in a coordinated manner to achieve optimal results.
Food safety is increasingly becoming a global challenge both by virtue of its public health impact as well as its economic and political implications. Malaysia has realized that food safety can no longer be considered solely as a domestic entity nor can it be the responsibility of a single agency. The Ministry of Health has established the National Food Safety and Nutrition Council in 2001, a multi- sectoral forum to set clear policies and strategies for the continuous improvement of the food safety programme. It involves relevant government agencies, industry and consumer representatives as well as other stakeholders from farm to table. The Honorable Minister of Health chairs the council and within the offices of this council, policies on food safety and nutrition will be integrated with other national policies to address, amongst others, health, economic and trade issues. This would enable a more comprehensive approach to food safety on the basis of smart partnership and shared responsibility and encourage industry's commitment and consumer involvement in implementing the strategies for food safety.
The Ministry of Health formulated a National Food Safety Policy in 2002 which aims at providing direction to all stakeholders in establishing and implementing food safety measures, through collaborative efforts to safeguard human health. The Policy addresses food safety throughout the food chain and requires multi agency and multi disciplinary collaboration and cooperation involving relevant government agencies, food industries, consumers, the scientific community and others. Essential elements include food safety infrastructure, food safety legislation, inspection and enforcement services, food laboratory, ICT, scientific information gathering and analysis, product tracing, management of food safety crisis, management systems for food safety assurance, education on food safety, safety of imported and exported foods, novel foods and technologies and participation in international food safety fora.
To effectively implement the National Food Safety Policy in a more coordinated and integrated manner, a National Plan of Action on Food Safety had also been formulated in 2002. The action plan clearly defines the role of each stakeholder and the action to be taken. It is the concerted effort by various government agencies and the non-governmental organizations (NGOs) and its successful implementation will depend on the support and commitment of all the relevant government agencies and stakeholders. The approach undertaken is farm to table.
In view of increased need for food safety in international trade, globalization and to meet with obligations under the World Trade Organizations (WTO) agreements, in addition to the traditional programme, new initiatives are undertaken to meet the challenging demands towards ensuring food safety whilst minimizing barriers to trade. The Sanitary and Phytosanitary Measures (SPS) and Technical Barrier to Trade (TBT) Agreements under the WTO encourage the harmonization of food standards. For food safety purposes, the SPS Agreement recognizes Codex standards, guidelines and recommendations as the benchmark for national measures and regulations.
Programme strategies that have been strengthened include formulating laws that meet with international requirements, emphasis on import and export control and upgrading analytical capabilities. These are achieved through activities such as formulation and review of legislations and standards, strengthening enforcement, promoting certification, improving data management, and increased participation in international activities related to food safety. Other new initiatives include outsourcing of laboratory capabilities, enhancement of consumer empowerment through increased informative labeling and consumer education, promotion of self-regulation towards industry accountability, and incorporating Information and Communication Technology (ICT) in food safety. In order to improve transparency as well as to meet current demands, dialogue sessions are being held regularly with industry and consumer representatives.
Malaysia is constantly revising the food laws, regulations and standards so as to be in line with current needs as well as international requirements. The Food Regulations 1985 is amended from time to time under the Technical Advisory Drafting Committee of the Food Regulations 1985 supported by technical sub committees and expert task forces. Reference is made to the Codex standards and guidelines where available.
Malaysia has initiated and implemented the Malaysian Certification Scheme (MCS) for Hazard Analysis and Critical Control Points (HACCP) since 1997 and has formulated four (4) guidelines to facilitate successful implementation of the system by the food industries. The Ministry of Health practices third party certification and is involved in the surveillance auditing of food factories.
The European Union (EU) has recognized government authorities as the competent authority for certification of seafood exports to the EU. HACCP certification is now extended to other food industries with auditing being done by third parties. More than 75 food industries have been certified under the MCS for HACCP by the Ministry of Health. The Veterinary Services Department of the Ministry of Agriculture and Agro-based Industry also certifies various Quality Assurance Schemes and Good Animal Husbandry Practice (GAHP) at the farm level. The Department of Agriculture and the Department of Fisheries under the Ministry of Agriculture and Agro-based Industry have also implemented farm accreditation schemes to ensure Good Agriculture Practice (GAP) and Good Aquaculture Practice (GAqP), respectively.
Malaysia has also formulated the Guidelines on Good Hygiene Practices for Small and Medium Scale Food Industries towards HACCP. These guidelines provide a guide on basic hygienic and sanitation requirements and to fulfill prerequisite requirements for the implementation of HACCP to small and medium scale industries.
Various government agencies play an active role in promoting Good Manufacturing Practice (GMP), Good Hygiene Practice (GHP), the application of HACCP and Halal Certification.
Enforcement activities such as sampling, premise inspection, import and export control have been intensified. This is achieved in part by improving infrastructure with regards to data collection and monitoring as well as equipment. The Food Safety Information System of Malaysia (FoSIM) has been established to link FQCD, 34 entry points, 11 food laboratories and the Customs Department in order to better manage safety of imported food. FoSIM was launched in 2003.
Laboratory capacity building has always been given top priority, as they are one of the most crucial infrastructures needed for an effective and efficient food safety system. Various approaches are being undertaken by the Ministry of Health to ensure that laboratories are able to meet the increasing demand and complexities of food analysis including new requirements imposed by the Food Regulations 1985.
In view of the need for a science based approach to food safety, the research activities have now focused on data collection for purposes of risk assessment. These activities are to monitor incidence of food-borne diseases, including food poisoning; to monitor environmental problems related to food; and to monitor food for microbiological and chemical contamination. The baseline information on the status of specific contaminant levels in relevant foodstuffs will also help prioritize issues of concern.
In meeting the global challenges, Malaysia is playing a bigger role in activities related to food safety at international and regional levels including Codex, ASEAN, APEC, ASEM, WTO (SPS and TBT) and others.
The National Codex Contact Point is located in the Ministry of Health and serves as the National Contact Point for international food safety issues. Malaysia currently has a National Codex Committee, 21 Codex Sub-Committees, 3 Codex Task Forces and 7 Codex Working Groups. Malaysia had so far played an active role in Codex. Malaysia will be hosting the 33rd Session of the Codex Committee on Food Labelling from 9 to 13 May 2005.
At the ASEAN level, Malaysia has been appointed as the coordinator of the programme area on food safety under the ASEAN Expert Group on Food Safety (AEGFS). Malaysia chaired and hosted the First Meeting of the AEGFS in 2001 and chaired the Second Meeting of the AEGFS in 2003. The AEGFS discusses issues pertaining to food safety from farm to table. The Draft ASEAN Food Safety Improvement Plan (AFSIP) drawn up by the AEGFS has been endorsed by the Senior Officials Meeting on Health. Malaysia also hosted the First Meeting of the ASEAN Task Force on Codex (ATFC) in 2001. The ATFC was formed to formulate ASEAN common positions on issues of concern to ASEAN Member countries.
Networking at the regional and national levels can be achieved through the establishment of focal points or the utilization of existing focal points. The creation of a website dedicated to food safety is ideal but could involve significant implications in terms of financial, human resources as well as infrastructure at the regional and national levels.
The introduction of the new International Portal on Food Safety, Animal and Plant Health by the FAO, provides a single access point to the wide range of official materials relating to SPS measures in food and agriculture. This portal will enhance transparency in SPS measures and facilitate trade among trading partners. The utilization of this portal will assist in facilitating networking at the international and regional levels.
Malaysia is currently collaborating with JICA specifically in the areas of data management, electronic networking in import control, laboratory capability and technical exchange programmes.
At the ASEAN level, Malaysia has offered expertise to other ASEAN countries. Malaysia has assisted Viet Nam in the promulgation of food legislations and development of HACCP certification and trained food control officials in enforcement and prosecution activities as well as the development of HACCP certification in Brunei Darussalam. Other technical assistance includes attachment of food control officials from various ASEAN countries at the Ministry of Health.
Malaysia has also offered consultations on food safety and Codex under WHO to the Pacific islands namely Solomon Islands, Kiribati and Samoa, as well as on Codex under FAO to Iran.
Malaysia is willing to offer expertise in the following areas: promulgation of food legislations, laboratory capability, implementation of good practices on farm, food processing, animal husbandry and aquaculture, establishment of certification schemes, on-line control of food imports, crisis management in the prevention and control of Nipah virus, food safety consultancy, development of Codex Contact Point and the setting up of National Codex Committee.