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Background
With increasing incidence in outbreak
of food related diseases globally
there is growing consumer demand for
enhanced food quality and safety.
It is therefore imperative that partners
in food supply chains including buyers/sellers
and other trading partners evolve
and implement quality and traceability
standards in keeping with prevalent
and emerging International standards
and best practices.
Failure to take cognizance of this
aspect could potentially debar entry
into lucrative but demanding markets,
particularly in the developed countries
and act as non-tariff barriers to
trade.
The current high profile issues such
as BSE (Bovine Spongiform Encephalitis),
food poisoning from E-coli & hormone,
insecticide and antibiotic residuals
in meat, together with concerns about
GMOs (Genetically Modified Organisms),
both animal and vegetable, have caused
Governments and companies to find
ways of imposing better controls globally.
It is therefore imperative for food
producers, processors and all companies
throughout the food chains, Governments
and food organisations to use tested
systems and provide recognised hygiene
and food safety control together with
traceability in the food chains.
Food safety initiatives are being
driven by codes of practice put together
by industries, retailers and food
laws imposed by the countries concerned
and global organisations giving guidelines
to developing countries.
The Seminar is being organised in
the backdrop of the increased focus
being given to development of the
Food Processing Industry in India
and affords an opportunity to disseminate
information on prevalent International
best practices.
Objectives
of the Seminar
While there is awareness on
emerging stringent food quality/safety
requirements in the developed countries,
a large section of food suppliers
located in developing countries in
the Asian region have little to no
exposure to these quality and traceability
requirements and on the potential
negative impact it can have on their
acceptability and survival in the
event of non-compliance.
This Seminar affords an opportunity
to disseminate information on the
various aspects of food , quality
and safety to food producers, Governments,
Trade bodies etc. with a view to enabling
them adopt and facilitate implementation
of these best practices.
Through intensive interactive sessions,
the Seminar is expected to draw up
and recommend an action plan for Governments,
trade and industry organisations etc.
for moving forward and enabling integration
with prevalent global best practices.
This Seminar is also expected to
suggest a model for creation of a
forum comprising the UN, EAN, Governments
and trade/industry bodies which will
drive awareness and adoption on food
quality, safety and traceability requirements
deeper on an on-going basis through
the activities of the proposed national/regional
forums.
Organisation
of the Seminar
The Seminar is being jointly
organised by the United Nations, represented
through UN/ECE, UN/ESCAP & UN/APCTT,
EAN & Govt. of India (Deptt. of
Commerce) in association with CIFTI
(food wing of FICCI), MPEDA, APEDA
and Deptt. of Food Processing Industries
and will be held at New Delhi during
4th-5th April 2002.
Provisional
program
A provisional program is attached.
The program will be updated as participation
and availability of speakers is confirmed.
In the concluding session, recommendations
related to the objectives detailed
above are expected to be presented
and adopted by the countries in the
region.
Participants
It is expected that the Seminar
is attended by resource persons and
participants drawn from the countries
in the Asian region, representatives
of International agencies, Governments
and related institutions.
The Asian Seminar Report based on
the presentations and deliberations
of speakers, chairpersons etc. capturing
the highlights is now available at
http://www.eanindia.com/seminar/seminar.htm
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