FAO supports Chile in enhancing its food control systems for a safer food chain

In a groundbreaking initiative led by the Chilean Food Safety and Quality Agency (ACHIPIA) and the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO), Chile has become the first country in Latin America to implement a food control system assessment facilitated by FAO. The initiative is meant to improve strategic planning and strengthen governance around food safety.

The launch event for the "Evaluación del sistema de control de los alimentos de Chile” unfolded in Santiago, Chile, from December 11 to 15 with high-profile policymakers in attendance, including Santiago Rojas, Acting Undersecretary of Agriculture and Diego Varela, Executive Secretary of ACHIPIA.

The assessment, funded by FAO and the government of Chile, underscores the Chilean government's commitment to building an inclusive and sustainable food control system, with FAO at the forefront of supporting this change. In a speech on the first day of the week-long workshop, Rojas emphasized the importance of addressing gaps for small producers and working towards a more sustainable agrifood system.

Varela highlighted the pivotal role of FAO in supporting competent authorities and underscored the importance of measurement in control and improvement processes. The implementation of this tool in Chile is seen as a crucial step in evaluating and fostering continuous improvement in the country's food control system.

As part of the project, a team of food safety experts from FAO will work closely with local Competent Authorities for food safety and relevant stakeholders, to assess the effectiveness of the national food control system and develop a strategy to improve the country’s public health and economic development. The FAO team will assist the Authorities through the eight-month process which will culminate with the development of a set of recommendations and a strategic framework to facilitate their implementation.

The workshop, which took place at the Universidad Santo Tomás, involved training a total of 18 focal points responsible for data collection from various competent authorities. On the first day, FAO officials, Giovanna Sartori and Jairo Romero, introduced the assessment to the larger public, outlining its general purpose and specific objectives.

The team uses the FAO/WHO Food Control System Assessment Tool, which is based on internationally recognized Codex guidance and is capable of assessing the national food control systems in a comprehensive manner. 

As FAO spearheads this assessment in Latin America, the outcomes are expected to set a benchmark for the region, promoting a more robust and effective approach to food safety and quality. Stay tuned for updates on this initiative.

Read more about the FAO/WHO Food Control System Assessment Tool here.