On 7 June, FAO in Albania celebrated World Food Safety Day in collaboration with the EU-funded Food Safety Project and the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development. The joint event brought together representatives from the tourism sector, associations, agrifood regulators and consumers.

In a video message recorded for the event, Raimund Jehle, FAO Representative for Albania, talked of the role of food safety in achieving healthy diets, in enhancing market access and economic development and in ensuring food and nutrition security. “Robust national food control systems are key to support the implementation of food standards through scientific approaches, risk-based inspections, food analysis, and effective communication with value chain operators and consumers”, he said.

Minister for Agriculture and Rural Development, Frida Krifca, recognized, in her event speech, the work being done in Albania to adopt laws concerning official controls, animal health, and plant health. The General Director of the National Food Authority, Jeta Deda, food safety expert and national focal point for the European Food Safety Authority (EFSA), Valbona Paluka, and Professor Dr Fatbardh Sallaku, the Rector of the Agricultural University of Tirana, also spoke at the event.

Event attendees also enjoyed a cookery demonstration from Chef Alfred Marku of the Rapsodia Restaurant and advice on good hygiene practices from Vanessa Cooling of the Food Safety Project.

Photo © FAO Albania