7 June 2021, Islamabad – The Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) of the United Nations marked World Food Safety Day in a joint virtual event held with Ministry of National Food Security and Research. The webinar was attended by representatives from Ministry of National Food Security and Research, UN agencies, food safety experts, academia and private sector.
The webinar was organized to bring together national and provincial institutions to share their expertise and discuss how food safety can be improved in country, building a good food safety system, which will not only improve health of people but also impact increasing food and agricultural products exports and achieve high place in the global market. If food safety requirements in Pakistan meet global standards, there is a great potential for food business operators from Pakistan to be major players in the entire world.
 Safe food contributes to a healthy life, a healthy economy, a healthy planet and a healthy future. Recognizing the systemic connections between the health of people, animals, plants, the environment and the economy will help us meet the needs of the future. Local actions based on equitable, often novel, solutions and strengthened multi-sectoral collaboration are essential to meeting the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). Over the last few decades, the question of ensuring adequate food safety standards has evolved into a much more complicated problem with a series of interconnected factors to be considered. The evolution of science and technology such as the development of high precision analytical equipment and improved agricultural and preservation techniques have made it possible to obviate the manifold safety hazards. Our food systems need to produce enough safe food for all. There is no food security without food safety. If it is not safe, it is not food. Only when food is safe will it meet dietary needs and help ensure that everyone can live an active and healthy life. This is also referred to as the utilization dimension of food security.

Speaking at the event, FAO Representative a.i in Pakistan, Rebekah Bell stated that “It's a unique opportunity for us to work together to improve food safety. She said we need to ensure food safety throughout the agriculture value chain from farm to fork level. We are currently relying on fresh produce, but by improving food storage and processing capacity ensuring principles of food safety, Pakistan has a lot of potential to increase food exports and generating income for the farmers and revenue for the country”, she said.

Additional Secretary of Ministry of National Food Security and Research, Syed Anwar ul Haq emphasized on building a better food system which will not only improve health of people but also impact increasing food and agricultural products exports and achieve high place in the global market. If food safety requirements in Pakistan meet global standards, there is a great potential for food business operators from Pakistan to be major players in the entire world, he added.

Shandana Gulzar, Chairperson of National Committee on Food Security and Agriculture highlighted the efforts of the National Assembly on food safety. The food safety agenda is at the forefront of present government and provinces will be taken on board for harmonizing the national food safety system and food safety standards, she added. She mentioned various initiative like Kamyab Kissan, strengthening the food value chains and generating livelihood opportunities for women ensuring the food safety at all levels.

                                                                                           ***