Conference Room Document 60
English only

second fao/who global forum of food safety regulators

Bangkok, Thailand, 12-14 October 2004

Import/Export Control and Certification in Myanmar

(Prepared by Myanmar)

Introduction

Myanmar is the largest country in mainland, South East Asia. It stretches 2200 kilometers from north to south and 925 kilometers from east-west at the widest point. The population of Myanmar is estimated at 52.17 million. About 70% of the population resides in rural areas.

The Government of Myanmar recognizes health as a fundamental right for all its citizens and at large for all human beings. The Department of Health is responsible not only for overall health care of the populace, but also for food and drug safety and control.

Food Control in Myanmar

Food and Drug Control activities were started in 1927, a year before the first Food and Drug Act (1928). Until 1960 food control work was fragmented and exercised by various departments. Later on, the Department of Health assumed responsibility for overall food safety in the country.

In 1972, the Public Health Law was promulgated and successive attempts were made to strengthen food control work. The Food Quality Control Laboratory (FQCL) was established as a division under the National Health Laboratory of the Department of Health. However, achievements on food control work were limited to a certain extent.

In early 1990, the authorities recognized the need to further strengthen the food and drug control work and attempted to improve it. The National Drug Law was promulgated in 1992.

Food and drug safety is concerned with a number of sectors including agriculture, fisheries, industry, trade and environment. In recognition of the need for integration, the Food and Drug Board of Authority (MFDBA) was formed in accordance with the provisions of the National Drug Law and restructuring of Food and Drug Supervisory Committees. In 1995 the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) was formed under the Department of Health.

FDA has two divisions (Food Division and Drug Division). Each division has an Enforcement and Laboratory section. FDA implements the control work, laid down by MFDBA.

Food Control Function

In our National Food Law –

Myanmar is an active participant in the ASEAN Codex Committee. Food control activities in Myanmar are conducted in line with the National Food Law and Public Health Law and also comply with Codex guidelines and standards.

Food Administration Division controls locally produced food. Food imported and food to be exported should be in accordance with National Food Law and in line with international recognized procedures.

In the National Food Law, all foods need product recommendation from the Food and Drug Administration, Department of Health for importation and exportation. Consignments arriving at the Myanmar port of entry are allowed to be distributed only after being assessed and issued with a health certificate by the Department of Health.

The Food Administration Division not only assesses the documents related to the status of Good Hygienic Practice of Manufacturing plants from abroad (such as: factory registration, product specification, certificate of analysis etc.), but also analyzes imported food to check whether it complies with its specification or international standards.

For foods to be exported, our Department also tries to fulfill the requirement of the imported country’s requests (such as issuing a Export Health certificate fit for human consumption, certificate of analysis, recommendation for the status of manufacturing factory and so on).

Apart from our Department FDA, Department of Agriculture, Department of Trade and Department of Customs are also responsible for controlling import and export food.

Import and Export Food Control

(a) Imported Food (January to August 2004)

Import Recommendation

(one year validity)

Import Health Certificate

Fats and oils

46

168

Milk and Milk Products

221

394

Food additives

258

177

Others

165

289

Total

690

1028


Fig: Application for Importation of Food from (28) different countries in 2004 up to August

(b) Exported Food (January to August 2004)

Commodities are – Peas, canned fish, canned juice, soft drink etc...