World Food Safety Day was celebrated in Cambodia on 30 June, in an event jointly organized by the Food and Agricultural Organization of the United Nations (FAO), the World Health Organization (WHO), and the United Nations Industrial Development Organization (UNIDO) in partnership with the Royal Government of Cambodia (RGC) under the leadership of Deputy Prime Minister Yim Chhay Ly, Chairman of the Council for Agricultural and Rural Development (CARD) together with the Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries, the Ministry of Health, the Ministry of Commerce, and other line ministries, with financial support from the European Union (EU) and the Swiss Agency for Development and Cooperation (SDC).

The event focused on raising awareness about the importance of food safety to consumers and to the agrifood industry and was attended by approximately 250 people. Participants represented all stages of the food chain. The FAO Representative to Cambodia, Rebekah Bell, said “we need collective efforts, commitment and investment to make safe food and healthy diets more affordable and accessible for all” and Asheena Khalakdina, the Country Team Lead, WHO Health Emergency Programme, Cambodia, said “In response to the global threat posed by foodborne diseases, the government, the food industry and individuals need to do more to make food safe and prevent contamination.”

Cambodia’s Food Safety Law, recently passed by His Majesty Norodom Sihamoni, represents a commitment to respond to these challenges and provides a farm-to-table framework for ensuring food is safe for all. The Law is complemented by the Second National Strategy on Food Security and Nutrition 2019-2023, Cambodia’s Roadmap for Food Systems for Sustainable Development 2030.

Government representatives, including H.E. Dr Yim Chhay Ly, Deputy Prime Minster and Chairman of CARD, expressed the need for and the government’s commitment to a multisectoral and collaborative approach to food safety in Cambodia.

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https://www.fao.org/cambodia/news/add-news/detail-events/en/c/1565496/