Laboratory development
Food control has evolved from focusing on end‑product testing to a preventive approach implemented through adequate process controls along the food chain. Nonetheless, testing remains an important component of any system that aims to produce safe food. Carefully planned programmes of sampling and testing provide verification that hygiene controls applied by food chain operators result in safe food products that comply with national regulations and meet international food safety requirements. Well-functioning laboratory services also ensure the availability of reliable food contamination data, contributing to the ability of national authorities to determine food safety priorities and orient food control programmes accordingly.
FAO’s work on laboratory development
FAO supports the effective involvement of laboratory services within national food‑control systems. This involves different levels of intervention:
Aligning testing programmes with food safety priorities: FAO promotes interministerial collaboration and effective engagement with the private sector to jointly define the analytical capacities most needed to protect public health and to support access to markets.
Strengthening laboratory management: FAO works with laboratory managers to improve the efficiency of their work processes and administrative procedures, to establish and monitor programme targets, to plan for laboratory upgrading (including human resource development), and to communicate more effectively with the decision makers who determine the annual budgets of the laboratories.
Enabling effective training for laboratory staff: FAO ensures that laboratory staff have the knowledge and skills required to correctly carry out their functions. Training typically covers the establishment of laboratory quality management programmes, involving a mixture of theoretical and hands on work. Furthermore, support may be provided to obtain international accreditation. Training events are often designed to encourage networking with national universities, research centres and regional or international laboratories. This helps create informal networks, which can help laboratory staff meet ongoing challenges and support further staff development.
Working towards the sustainability of laboratory services: FAO sensitizes policymakers regarding the role of laboratories and promotes a long‑term vision that considers analytical needs and existing national capacities and resources.